Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1915-04-08
Grant-Lee so Years Ago



enclosing a clipping from the Los
Angeles Times of recent date, giving
the correspondence between General
Grant and Genral Lee, eliminating
in the downfall of the Southern Con-
federacy, Mr.. IA. %. Walrath, now So
journing in Pasadena, says: This lis
SO years ago, and although a little am
cient, calls to my mind the anxious
times of those days. thought it
might interest you enough to publish
it in the Saturday News, which ! am
sure the old soldiers Of Codington
county would enjoy reading again
This week, 1t will be noted, is the.
fftieth anniversary of the CORE
.spendence originally published in the
st. Louis Republican, between these
two world-famons generals.-Editor.)
Clifton House, Va, April 9th. p. m.
To the Secretary of War.
Hon. 3. M. Stanton:
The following correspondence has
taken place between Gen. Lea Inc
myself. There has been no relaxa-
tive in pursuit during Its pendancy.
U. S.. Grant, Lieut. Gen.
Gen. Lee, Commanding, ETC.:
General: The results Of the last.
week must convince you Of the hope
lessness Of further resistance on the
part OF the Army OF Northern Vir-
ginia. In this struggle ! feel like it
is so, and regard it as my duty to
shift from myself the responsibility
Of any further effusion OF blood by
OF you the surrender OF that
portion OF the Confederate States
army known as the Army Of North
ern Virginia.
Very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
q. S. Grant, Lieut-Gen.
April It'll, 1865.
General: have received your
NOT Of this date. Though not en-
tirely Of the opinion you express, Of
the hopelessness OF the further re-
sistance on the part of the Army Of
Northern Virginia, / ~reciprocate your
desire to avoid the useless efusonl
Of blood, and therefore before con-
sidering your proposition, ask the
terms you will offer on condition of
its surrender.
(Signed.) r.. E. Lee.
70 Lieut.Gen. U. S. Grant. Com
handing army ii the United states.
Gen. r. i. Lee,
Commanding G. S. a.
General: Your note of last even
in reply to mine Of the same
date asking conditions on which +
viii accept the surrender Of the army
Of Northern Virginia is just received.
IN reply + viii say that peace being
my first. desire, there is but one con
dition / insist upon, viz. That =
s~urrendering shall be disquail-
fled for taking up arms again against
the government OF the United States
until properly exchanged. will meet.
YOU or designate officers to meet any
officer you may name for the purpose
OF arranging definitely the terms up
on which the surrender of the army
of Northern Virginia viii be re-
ceiyed.
Very respectfully, ETC.
q. s. Grant,
General Comdg %. s. Az
April s. 1856.
General: i received at a late hour
your note OF today in answer OF mine
yesterday. / did not intend to pro
pose the surrender Of the army Of
Northern Virginia, but To ask the
terms OF your proposition TO be
frank do not think the emergency
has arisen to call for the surrender
Bof this army; but as the restoration
IL peace should be the cole object Of
aIi. desire to know whether your
proposals would tend othat end.
would not therefore; meet you with
4 view to surrender the Army 81
Northern Virginia. But. as far -
your proposition ma afect the Con
federate States forces under my CON;
nand, and tend To the restoration q
|peaces should be p.aased \ meet
you at 10 II. n tomorroUg On Oid
state Road to Hachmond. between
Ethe pief lines sCf the two armies
Very respectively. your phediisn'