Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05

United States possible. so did the surrender
at Appomattox reunite the States of the Union
and make possible the American Republic as
we know 1t today
Indeed, here freedom and liberty were rededi-
Gated and reconsecrated and given a lasting
and a perpetual life, however, unfortunately
not until the sacrifice of more than 500 900
men who were killed in action or died from
disease.
GEN. GRANT did not meet Gen. Lee at APP
pomattox in hostile way-as victor. a
conqueror-but rather as an old acquaintance
whose friendship he wished to renew. An early
writer in quoting Gen. Grant this famous
meeting says:
ct went up to the house where Lee was wait
ing I found him in a fine, new, splendid
Uniform which only recalled my anxiety as to
my own clothes while on my way to meet him.
I expressed my regret that was compelled to
meet him in so unceremonious manner, and
he replied that the only suit he had available
was one which had been sent him by
admirers in Baltimore, and which he then wore
for the first time. We spoke of old friends in
the Army. remembered having seen Lee in
Mexico. He so much higher in rank than
myself at the time that I supposed he had
no recollection of me. But he said he remern-
bered me very well. We talked of old times
and exchanged inquiries about friends. Lee
then preached the subject of our meeting. I
told him my terms, and Lee, listening atten-
lively, asked to write them down. took
out my manifold order book and wrote them
down. Gen. Lee put on his glasses and read
them over. The conditions gave the officers
their side arms, private horses and personal
baggage. said to Lee that hoped and be-
lieved this would be the close of the war That
it was most important that the men should go
home and go to work, and the Government
would not throw any obstacles in the way. Lee
answered that it would have a most happy
effect and accepted the terms. I handed over
my penciled memorandum to an aid to put into
ink, and we resumed our conversation about old
times and friends in the armies
"NARIOUs officers came in-Longstreet,
y Gordon, Pickett from the South; Sher-
idan Ord and others from our side. Some were
old friendS-Longstreet and myself for instance
and we had general talk. Lee doubt ex-
pected me TO ask for his sword. but did not
want it. There was a pause when Gen.
Lee said that most of the animals in his cavalry
and artillery were owned by the privates and
he would like to know under the terms whether
they would be regarded as private property or
the property Of the Government I said that
under the terms OF surrender they belonged to
the Government. Gen Lee read the letter and
said that was then said to the general that
I believed and hoped this was the last battle Of
the war; that I saw the wisdom of these men
getting home and TO work as soon as possible,
and that would give orders to allow any
soldier officer claiming horse or a mule
to take it. Gen. Lee showed some emotion at
this-a feeling which / also shared-and said
1t would have most happy effect The inter-
view ended and gave orders for rationing his
troops. The next day met Lee on horseback
and We had long talk. In that conversation
I urged upon Lee the wisdom of ending the
war by the surrender Of the other armies.