Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 35.djvu/174

 160 one of the company. The old hero straightened himself up and replied: 'No, sir, he did not. I was determined that the side-arms of officers should be exempt by the terms of the surrender, and, of course, I did not offer him mine. All that was said about swords was that General Grant apologized to me for not having his own sword, saying that it had been taken off in his baggage, and he had been unable to get it in time.'

"General John B. Gordon, in his 'Reminiscences of the Civil War,' page 462, says, in speaking of General Grant:

"'In his "Memoirs" he has given a quietus to that widely circulated romance that he returned to Lee his proffered sword. I do not doubt that he would have done so; but there was no occasion for Lee's offering it, because in the terms agreed upon it was stipulated that the Confederate officers retain their sidearms.'"

I have seen a Northern history in which Lee was represented as presenting his sword to Grant. Correct history is all we ask for no prevaricating on either side. And I would ask that our young people especially be taught the truth of this matter.

W. B., M. D., Late Corporal Co. C, 4th Va. Cav.

Atlanta, Ga.