The Washington herald., 1915-02-07

within reason II It would lay down its
arms and come back into the Union This
the Confederates were not prepared to do.
As the scope of the instructions under
which the delegates were proceeding was
kept secret the news of their arrival
within the Federal lines before Peters
burg had made a great stir in both the
armies of Grant and Of Lee.
The commissioners had arrived in front
of Grants lines on January % and had
been passed through them on January 81.
The formalities attending their arrival
within the Federal lines were the occa-
sion of a general truce and a period of
jubilation between the soldiers of the op-
posing forces.
works held by the Ninth Corps, at which
the flag of truce advanced, to announce
the coming Of the commissioners. On the
Union works stood solid masses of men
in blue. The Confederate works were
crowded with hungry looking and lean
Southerners in rags, interspersed with
mahy women, who had come out from
Petersburg.
Received by Grant.
In the open country back Of the Con-
federate lines a closed carriage was seen
approaching from Petersburg. AS IL
drew up behind the works and its occu-
pants descended the Confederate soldiers
burst into cheers and the women waved
their handkercheifs-
The party was some time in making
its way through the network Of the en-
trenchments and pits to the open ground
between the hostile lines, which was per-
haps 800 yards wide. Crossing this, they
were received by group of Federal SOL
diers, including Lieut. Col o. z. Babcock.
Of Grants star. and escorted to a point
where several new ambulances-the am
bulance was the usual conveyance for
civilian visitors to the army-awaited
them. These had been sent by order Of
Gen. Grant to convey the party to City
Point, TO headquarters, about eight miles
away.
1t was after dark when the delegates
arrived at Grants headquarters Mr..
Stephens, in his book on the war. has
left description Of his first impressions
of Gen. Grant.
He found Grant plainly attired, sitting
in long cabin, busily writing on a small
table by a kerosene lamp. There was
nothing in his appearance or surroundings
which indicated his ofiicial rank There
were neither guards nor aids about him.
Upon Col. Babcock rapping at his door.
the response. Come in was given by him
self in tone of voice and with a cadence
which I can never forget"
OFdnI anu cNep0enS hdu neNoT met anu
each was keen to know the other Mr..
Stephens was one Of the brainiest men
In the South, and while before this meet
ing he would as soon have thought OF
drawing a comparison between Louis Ma
poleon and Washington" as between
Grant and Lee, his impressions Of Grant
upset some of his preconceived ideas as
to the Federal leaders character.
Grants Discreet silence.
Struck first by Grants simplicity Of
manner. the point and terseness Of his
speech. and his auickness OF perception,
the Southern statesman soon became Inn
pressed with the very extraordinary
combination OF rare elements Of character
which he exhibited"
conviction grew in his mind that
Grant was ''one OF the most remarkable
men / had ever met with; that his ca
reer. II his days should be prolonged. was
hardly entered upon; that he himself was
not aware OF his own power. and that
II he lived he would in the future exert
a controlling influence in shaping the des-
TIMES Of this country. either for good or
evil"
Gen. Grant showed the commissioners
every courtesy. They were escorted
aboard a government steamer. the Mary
Martin. formerly running on the Hudson
River. where they had comfortable quar-