Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 15.djvu/11

 INTRODUCTION. XI

the futile struggle was inhuman. He had at once had the white flag raised, and sent the following note to General Grant :

APRIL 9, 1865.

GENERAL, I received your note this morning on the picket line, whither I had come to meet you and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your proposition of yesterday with reference to the surrender of the army. I now ask an interview in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose.

R. E. LEE, General.

Lieutenant- General U. S. GRANT.

Colonel Taylor, (before cited,) states, that, reporting to General Lee about this time as to the parking of the army trains, about which he had been engaged, that General Lee said to him : " Well, Colonel, what are we to do ? " " In reply, a fear was expressed that it would be necessary to abandon the trains which had already occasioned us such great embarrassment, and the hope was indulged that, relieved of this burden, the army could make good its escape. ' Yes,' said the General, ' perhaps we could, but I have had a conference with these gentlemen around me, and they agree that the time has come for capitulation.' ' Well, sir,' I said, ' I can only speak for myself; to me any other fate is preferable . ' ' Such is my individual way of thinking,' interrupted the General. ' But,' I immediately added, ' of course, General, it is different with you. You have to think of these brave men, and decide not only for yourself, but for them.' ' Yes,' he replied, 'it would be useless and therefore cruel to provoke the further effusion of blood, and I have arranged to meet General Grant with a view to surrender, and wish you to accompany me.'

"Shortly after this, the General, accompanied by Colonel Marshall and myself, started back in the direction from which we had come to meet General Grant as had been arranged.

" We continued some distance without meeting any one after passing our lines, but finally came upon a staff officer sent by Gen- eral Grant's order to say to General Lee that he had been prevented from meeting him at that point, and to request that he would meet him upon the other road. General Lee then retraced his steps, and proceeding toward our front in the direction of Appomattox Court- house, dismounted at a convenient place to await General Grant's communication. Very soon a Federal officer, accompanied by one of General Gordon's staff, rode up to wjiere General Lee was seated