1865.]

"A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY."

477

He sent it by General Seth Williams, of the staff of the Army of the Potomac, who had known Lee intimately before the war. As Williams approached the enemy's picket line, a confederate, not observing his white flag, blazed away, but he fortunately escaped with a slight wound.

Meanwhile, an aide of Sheridan's, cautiously approaching Farmville, was gratified to find it full of blue coats instead of gray. Among wagons, caissons, and ambulances, he wended his way to the hotel and informed the LieutenantGeneral-smoking serenely upon the piazza-that Sheridan was striking for Prospect, fancying that Lee was now trying to reach Lynchburg.

GRANT.-"Tell General Sheridan that I think well of his movement in that direction. I will push on from here rapidly. I have written a note to General Lee, and think he will surrender soon.'

The chief slept at the tavern-occupied only by the landlord and his family. The Union troops had gone forward; a few stragglers alone remained in Farmville. Grant posted no guards, and strolled about the village taking no sort of precaution against a dash from the enemy.

A few confederate wounded were lying in one house, and a rebel surgeon in charge of them, and wearing his uniform, passed in and out the hotel until an aide demanded who he was. He hinted that that was none of the aide's business, but being told sharply that he was in Grant's head-quarters, explained that he was a friend of the family, and was endeavoring to soothe their natural anxiety. The staff officer ordered him to keep within his hospital. Late at night, seeing him stealthily enter the tavern again, and fearing some plot for abduction or assassination, the aides arrested him. Then he confessed that he was betrothed to the landlord's daughter. Mars was lenient to Venus and the offender escaped punishment, but was kept under guard during the General's stay.

Several hours before daylight on the eighth, Williams returned with Lee's reply, written the day before:

"GENERAL:-I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express of the hopelessness of further resistance on

478

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GRANT AND LEE. [1865.

the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and, therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender."

After breakfast, Grant sent Williams back with a letter, and a message that he might be found near Meade's headquarters, should Lee wish to communicate further:-

"GENERAL:-Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking the conditions on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just received. In reply, I would say, that peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon-namely, That the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received."

The enemy was pushing toward Appomattox Station, Meade's army pursuing closely and harassing its rear-guard, but unable to bring on a general engagement.

Sheridan, leaving Prospect on the morning of the eighth, was delighted to learn from his scouts, that several trains of supplies were waiting Lee's arrival at Appomattox Station-twenty-five miles ahead, and four miles south of Appomattox Court-House.

His tired troopers pushed zealously forward, for once out of the mud and in a region never plowed by the furrows of war, where woods, fences, and farm-houses stood undisturbed. Before sunset, Custer, on the advance, came in sight of Appomattox Station, and in a twinkling threw his division forward, enveloping four trains of cars before the engineers had time to beat a retreat. As he did so, a tremendous banging began from the forest beyond.

With great promptness he summoned engineers and brakesmen from his ranks. They leaped from their horses, and started the trains toward Farmville. Then Custer dashed into the woods, on the front of the rebel batteries, which were peppering him, just as another force sent by Sheridan took them in the rear. Twenty-five guns and a thousand prisoners were captured; the rest of the rebels escaped toward Appomattox Court-House.

1865.]

FAC-SIMILE OF LEE'S FIRST REPLY.

479

I have an I your note this date. Though not enter taining the opinion you express of the hopelesseps of futter resis -tame on the part of the army Mr. Mr. I wipurate you desire to avoid usilips effesion of blood, I then fue before Consider ing your proportion ask the lens you will offer on Condition of its surrender

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480

GRANT THINKS THE "JOB" FINISHED.

[1865.

After dark, Sheridan established head-quarters at a dwelling near the station, and stretching himself on a bench before a bright fire, dispatched to his chief, by no means omitting the opinion he was ready to die for :

"Custer is still pushing on. If General Gibbon and the Fifth Corps can get up to-night, we will, perhaps, finish the job in the morning. I do not think Lee means to surrender until compelled to do so."

Grant-directing the whole as carefully as Sheridan watched the advance-was likewise so confident that the "job" was nearly finished, that he would fain have left the rear, where his eye was no longer needed, and gone forward. But, expecting a communication from Lee, he remained near Meade's head-quarters through the afternoon, and spent the night at the Clifton House, seven miles from Prospect Station, the aides rolling themselves in blankets on the floor-the General and Rawlins enjoying the unwonted luxury of a bed up stairs.

1865.]

LEE DETERMINES "TO BE FRANK."

481

CHAPTER XL.

THE LAST DITCH.

BEFORE he was out of bed, on the memorable ninth of April, 1865, Grant received a letter, written on the eighth by Lee, whose anxiety "to be frank" seemed to move him to a disingenuousness foreign to his nature:

"GENERAL:-I received, at a late hour, your note of to-day. In mine of yesterday I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this army; but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desired to know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I can not, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia; but as far as your proposal may affect the Confederate States forces under my command, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet you at ten A. M. to-morrow, on the old stage-road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two armies.'

The Lieutenant-General's sympathies were excited for Lee, and his first impulse was to accede. But a little reflection showed that it would place him in a false position, besides being of no use, as his treating power--confined to the army directly on his front-could not be stretched to cover "the restoration of peace." He replied:

"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. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, etc."

Then he started to join Sheridan. Two hours afterward

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