Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-24
MRS. CLUSTERS LOAN
TABLE ON WHICH GRANT WROTE
TERMS OF LEES SURRENDER.
Secretary Taft Suggests That Interest
ing Relic BE Placed in the Secre-
tary's Room at War Department.

Through the kindness ana tnOughtfulneSS
of Mrs. George B. Custer, widow of Gen.
George H. Custer, the distinguished cavalry
leader of the civil war, who lost his life
in the Indian fight at Little Big Horn, in
June 1876, the War Department is about
to receive possession of enc of the most in
teresting relics of the war of the rebellion.
1t is the table on which Gen. Grant wrote
the terms of the surrender of Gen. Lees
army at Appomattox Court House, April g.
1860, which marked the restoration of the
union of states.
The story of the historic table and how
it comes into the possession of the United
States government at this late date is told
in the subjoined correspondence:
Mrs. Clusters Offer.
"BRONXVILLE, N. Y, March is.
Secretary Taft:
Dear Sir-I would like to loan to the war
museum for an indefniate time the table
on which the terms of the surrender of
General Lee to General Grant were written
at AppomattoX. I have left this table to
our government in my will, but have a
feeling that it ought to be taken now from
the fireproof storage where 1 have kept it
so many years and placed where it can be
seen by those interested in souvenirs of the
civil war. l inclose a copy of the letter
IeieIdl oIeil ludI NIOlc IL 1Ie Oh lIle udy
of the surrender, in presenting the table.
Il have also a number of letters from
Colonel Marshall, the only confederate ef-
ficer present that day with General Lee;
also letters from General Horace Porter and
the Century Magazine with his article on
the day at Appomattox, plan of the room
in the Mclean house, wien the position of
the table and the furHiture in the room.
All this ma terial wilf be glad to send
as the tables credentials before it goes on.
in case the war museum wishes to consider
my proposition *
u Il cannotrsee any occasion when I would
any trouble in asking the table again for
exhibition, for it would be in such an ad-
mirable place for the greater number to
see it. 1t has only been out of the store
house three times in all these years.
Il hope, Mr.. Secretary, you will pardon
my writing this to you. Unfortunately I
do not know who is in charge of the
museum. l trust that it will cost you no
more trouble in your busy life than to turn
my letter over to whomever I should have
addressed Very sincerely yours,
MRS. ELIZABETH B. CUSTER"
Gen. Sheridan's Gift.
APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE.
April 10, 1865.
My Dear Madam: 1 respectfully present
to you the small writing table on which the
conditions for the surrender of the confed-
crate Army of Northern Virginia were writ
ten by Lieut.. Gen. Grant, and permit me to
say, my dear madam that there is scarcely
an individual In our service who has con-
trlbuted more to bring about this desirable
result than your very gallant husband.
Very respectfully
PHIL. H. SHERIDAN. Maj. Gen.
Mrs. Gen. Custer, Washington, d. c.
Secretary Taft's Response.
March 20, 1906
My Dear Mrs. Custer: I am in receipt of
your letter of the 18th instant stating your
desire to loan to the War Museum" for an
indefinite time the table upon which the
terms of the surrender of Gen. Lee at APP
pomattox Court House, Va, were written,
together with certain letters and other
documents as credentials of the table, and
in reply beg to extend my thanks for your
offer, which is highly appreciated.
The War Museum, which was at one time
attached to the ordnance department, has
long since been discontinued, and such
relics of the civil war as were groupeds
therein were sent to the arsenals at Gov
ernors Island, Watervliet and Springfield. a
few being also sent to the National Mu-
scum in this CITY, / should be glad, how
ever, to have this historic table, with its
credentials, placed in the reception room or
the Secretary of War, which is one of the
largest rooms in the State, War and Navy
Department building, and is visited daily by
great many people. On its walls hang
the portraits of Gems. Grant, Sherman and
Sheridan, and also that of Secretary STAN
ton, and here is deposited the flag which
enveloped the coffin containing the remains
of President Lincoln on the journey from
Washington to Springfield, Ill. Very sin
cerely yours,
VIM H. TAFT, Secretary of War
Mrs Elizabeth B. Custer, Bronxville, New
York