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of Appomattox Court House; his last | On receipt of this, General Lee at once avenue of escape toward Danville on the dispatched another, requesting a personal southwest was gone; Mead was in his rear on the east and on his right flank north of Appomattox Court House; Sheridan had headed him off completely, by getting between him and Lynchburg; General Ord was on the south of the court-house, near the railroad; the troops were in the most enthusiastic Lee was attended by General Marshall,

interview for the object named in General Grant's previous communication, viz., the surrender of the entire rebel army. A flag of truce proceeded to Appomattox Court House shortly after noon, and at about two o'clock the two generals met at the house of Mr. W. McLean. General

Surrender of Gen. Lee and his Army to Gea. Grant.

his adjutant-general; General Grant, by Colonel Parker, one of his chief aids-decamp. General Grant arrived about fifteen minutes later than General Lee, and entered the parlor where the latter was awaiting him.

The two generals greeted each other with dignified courtesy, and after a few moments conversation, proceeded to the business before them. Lee

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spirits, and the rebel army was doomed. immediately alluded to the conditions Lee's last effort was that of attempting to cut his way through Sheridan's lines, but it totally failed.

named by General Grant for the surrender, characterized them as exceedingly lenient, and said he would gladly leave all On the seventh, a correspondence, look- the details to General Grant's own discreing to the surrender of Lee's army, com- tion. The latter stated the terms of pamenced between himself and General role-that the arms should be stacked, the Grant, the purport of General Lee's first artillery parked, and the supplies and munote being to ascertain the best terms on nitions turned over to him, the officers which he could surrender his army. Gen- retaining their side arms, horses, and pereral Grant's reply not being to Lee's mind, sonal effects. General Lee promptly asthe latter communicated to General Grant sented to the conditions, and the agreement a request for a personal interview at a of surrender was engrossed and signed certain place, at ten o'clock on the morning by General Lee at half-past three o'clock. of the ninth, to arrange "terms of peace." Thus substantially ended the interview. As this was changing the question at issue, Both generals wore the very impersonaand under discussion, and one which Gen- tion of dignity and courtesy in their beareral Grant had neither the inclination nor ing. Lee looked very much jaded and the authority to decide, he replied in a worn, but, nevertheless, presented the note which admitted of no misconstruction, same magnificent physique for which he and which virtually ended the negotiations. was always noted. He was neatly dressed

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in gray cloth, without embroidery or any had endeavored to make the owner take insignia of rank, except three stars worn money for them, but he had thrown the on the turned portion of his coat collar. proffered greenbacks on the floor. After He also wore a very fine sword. Grant they had been gone some time a cavalry had no side arms. officer rode up to the house, called Mr. McLean out, thrust a ten dollar note in his hand, and shouting, "that is for the Colonel's chair," rode off in hot haste.

The large marble-topped centre table on which the two generals signed the minutes, was of a somewhat antiquated style, and was afterwards purchased by

Gen Geo. A. Custer

After the interview, General Lee returned to his own camp, about half a mile distant, where his leading officers were assembled awaiting his return. He announced the result and the terms, whereupon they expressed great satisfaction at the leniency of the conditions. They then approached him in order of rank, shook hands, expressing satisfaction at his course, and their regret at parting. The fact of surrender and the liberal terms were then announced to the troops, and when General Lee appeared among them he was loudly cheered.

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On Monday, between nine and ten o'clock in the forenoon, General Grant and staff rode out in the direction of the rebel lines, and on a hill just beyond the General Ord for fifty dollars. General court-house, where a full view of the Custer purchased the other table, of small rebel army could be obtained, General size, on which the documents were pre- Lee was met, attended by but one staff pared, for twenty-five dollars. The only officer and orderlies. The Generals halted, trophies left Mr. McLean were the chairs and, seated on their horses, conversed for occupied by the two generals and the nearly an hour upon the prospects for the room itself in which the meeting took future, each seeming to realize the mighty place. Numerous offers were made for influence which the events of the present the chairs, but Mr. McLean steadily re- were to have upon it. General Lee sigfused to part with them. Finally, two nified very emphatically his desire for a cavalry officers, one of them a Colonel, total cessation of hostilities, and indicated finding that they could not obtain the his intention to do all in his power to effect chairs by any other means, seized them that end. This was the last interview by force and made off with them. They between the two great commanders.

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