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

 Rh explaining that when their headquarters' wagons had been pressed so closely by our cavalry a few days before, and it was found they would have to destroy all their baggage, except the clothes they carried on their backs, each one, naturally, selected the newest suit he had, and sought to propitiate the gods of destruction by a sacrifice of his second best.

"General Grant began the conversation by saying: 'I met you once before, General Lee, while we were serving in Mexico, when you came over from General Scott's headquarters to visit Garland's brigade, to which I then belonged. I have always remembered your appearance, and I think I should have recognized you anywhere.'

"'Yes,' replied General Lee, 'I know I met you on that occasion, and I have often thought of it, and tried to recollect how you looked, but I have never been able to recall a single feature.'

"After some further mention of Mexico, General Lee said: 'I suppose, General Grant, that the object of our present meeting is fully understood. I asked to see you, to ascertain upon what terms you would receive the surrender of my army?'

"General Grant replied: 'The terms I propose are those stated substantially in my letter of yesterday that is, the officers and men surrendered to be paroled and disqualified from taking up arms again until properly exchanged, and all arms, ammunition and supplies to be delivered up as captured property.'

"Lee nodded an assent, and said: 'Those are about the conditions which I expected would be proposed.'

"General Grant then continued: 'Yes, I think our correspondence indicated pretty clearly the action that would be taken at our meeting, and I hope it may lead to a general suspension of hostilities, and be the means of preventing any further loss of life.'

"Lee inclined his head as indicating his accord with this wish, and General Grant then went on to talk at some length in a very pleasant vein about the prospects of peace. Lee was evidently anxious to proceed to the formal work of the surrender, and he brought the subject up again by saying: 'I presume, General Grant, we have both carefully considered the proper steps to be taken, and I would suggest that you commit to writing the terms you have proposed so that they may be formally acted upon.' 'Very well,' replied General Grant, 'I will write them out.' And calling for his manifold order book, he opened it on the table before him and proceeded to write the terms. The leaves had been so prepared that three