The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-15
COLONEL WILLIAMS TELLS
 ABOUT LEES SURRENDER

his. This I at once did. On reaching Longstreets line l found that general awaiting us. The truce bearer repeated the inquiry he had previously made of me. whereupon General Longstreet said: : 'The request will be promptly granted and safe escort afforded General Custer to deliver any note he may bear to Gen eral Lee from General Grant, but I feel confident it will be useless"
 It was then decided that the meeting should take place at the same spot at g o'clock and that General Lee would be in position to meet General Custer.
 Met General Custer.
 Promptly at o'clock the same flag, this time accompanied by two horsemen, ap- peared from the Union front. At once I rode out to meet it, having ordered the major of my regiment to have detail of cavalrymen in readiness to accom- pany my distinguished guest to General Longstfeets line.
 In less than ten minutes after having met General Custer I had presented him to General Longstreet.
 The two generals rode off together, fol- lowed byihe flag of truce and Lieutenant Colonel Fftchett of my command, whom l had detailed as a special escort. From the position I occupied could neither see nor hear what took place dur ing the interview. For what took place at this memorable initial suggestion by General Grant that the army of Northern Virginia surrender, I am indebted to Lieu tenant-Colonel Fftchett, who was killed the following morning. Suffice 1t to say, however, that Grants note to Lee was hurriedly answered, and very soon Gen eral Custer rode back and I escorted him to the original place of our first meeting nor did I see him again until the two fa- nous commanders of the opposing armies met at Appomattox Courthouse.
 Heavy Firing Heard.
 Having returned to my position was again ordered to follow closely the in- fantry which was being quickly hurried forward.
 It was about o'clock the following day that heavy firing was heard on our front and l learned that General Sheridan had marched by the flank of the Confederate army and flung a powerful body of men squarely across the southern line of re- treat. It was Sunday, April 8, and my com mand had reached the immediate rear | of the artillery, which was aligned in a | field of a few acres
 Not long after we arrived rush of fed erals captured all of the available artil- lery, and night closed over all-everyone speculating upon the outcome of the mor- row.
 Armistic Agreed On. During the forenoon word was passed along our front that General Lee had agreed to an armistice, and that terms of surrender were being considered
 The place of meeting was but a short distance from where my line was then es- taolished and I mounted and rode as close 10 the house in which Generals Grant allow
 Picketed about the dooryard or kitchen to the neighboring fence were a number oI horses, While number of federal of neers stood about in groups. Not a Con- federate was to be seen about the place After some little time an officer came out or the building and going directly to horse mounted and rode off in the di rectlon that would bring us face to face
 "All for the Best"
 Upon his near approach. to my erea+ surprise recognized in this dashine horseman General Custer, who. comtnS closer also recognized me and. refining in his horse, saluted and said:
 An, colonel! we meet again, but thank God no longer as enemies. General Lea mas surrendered his army, and together let us rejoice"
 His face lit up with a smile as ba ax tended his hand and enthusiastically ex- claimed, And to think, colonel vor and were instrumental in bringing about this I happy termination"
 Tn the fulness of my grief I went I could not speak, when General Custer ap- preelatlng my position, continued. Doupties--eou are very much overcome. colonel, but 1t is all for the best-for won Tor me, for our common countrv,s wei fare" "ei- Tie bade me adieu, saying he had an important mission to perform, and. way ing his hand to me, dashed off down tbe pike. while 1 sat on my horse stunned ana watched him until he disappeared around bend in the road.
 That was the last time I saur ca,ar,, Custer, but until his tragic death-ay even now-I have cherished in my heart a warm spot for this brilliant and chjvaI- rous maJor-general of the Union army.