to form their lines. As soon as this was done, and the Confederates saw the bayonets of the advancing army of the James, they fell back. Sheridan then, ordering his troopers to mount, prepared to charge, when a white flag was seen advancing, bearing a letter requesting a cessation of hostilities. In answer to Lee's last letter, Grant had written the following, on the 9th: April 9, 1865. GENERAL: Your note of yesterday is received. I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace; the meeting proposed for ten A. M. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am equally anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, &c., GENERAL R. E. LEE. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General. The answer to this note, borne by the flag of truce, was as follows, and was received by Grant while on his way to join Sheridan: April 9, 1865. GENERAL: I received your note of this morning, on the picket line, whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your proposal of yesterday, with "reference to the surrender of this army. I now ask an interview in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday, for that purpose. LIEUTENANT GENERAL U. S. GRANT. R. E. LEE, General. To this note Grant responded as follows: GENERAL R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A. April 9, 1865. Your note of this date is but this moment (11: 50 A. M.) received. In consequence of my having passed from the Richmond and Lynchburg road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road, I am at this writing about four miles west of Walter's Church, and will push forward to the front for the purpose of meeting you. Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the interview to take place will meet me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General. The meeting was arranged at the residence of Mr. W. McLean, at Appomattox Court-house; and here in a plain room, seated at an ordinary deal table, the two commanders, attended each by members of their respective staffs, reduced to writing the agreement which blotted from existence the army that for years had been the main stay of the Confederacy. The terms of surrender were given and accepted in the following correspondence: APPOMATTOX COURT-HOUSE, April 9, 1865. GENERAL R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A. In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take arms against the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be packed and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside. Very respectfully, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, LIEUTENANT GENERAL U. S. GRANT, Commanding U. S. A. GENERAL: I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms of surrender of the army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by you; as they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General. The campaign of ten days was over, and, like all of Grant's campaigns, was decisive; its result being the complete removal of all armed resistance in the district in which it was actively carried on, by the destruction of all the armed force opposing the legal sway of the government of the United States. The terms accorded by General Grant were as liberal and magnanimous as only a great nation, conscious of the strength and security of its national life,-based as these are upon the principles of freedom and justice,— could grant. There was no vindictiveness, no desire for revenge, but the large charity that Nature gives to all who outrage her laws from ignorance or passion, when, forced by suffering, they acknowledge the error of their ways. The delicacy with which Grant bore himself through this ever-memorable interview, was such as only a great soul naturally displays, and ex cited the admiration even of his enemies. The inter |