While this last message was being prepared, a messenger riding like the wind dashed around a curve, and seeing Lee, and having but one arm, with difficulty stopped his horse nearly 100 yards beyond. All recognized the rider, Col. John Haskell of Longstreet's artillery, and, as his horse was checked, Lee went to meet him, exclaiming: ‘What is it? What is it?’ and then, without waiting for a reply: ‘Oh, why did you do it? You have killed your beautiful horse!’1
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an escape on seeing a flag of truce, but that idea was at once abandoned by all of them on hearing my report.
At this time the negotiations had been definitely broken off by Lee's second letter.
The meeting which this proposed had been declined by Grant in a letter now on its way to Lee, but not yet received.
He had told me Grant's terms as if he knew them, but later he felt some uneasiness lest Grant might not feel bound by his offer after it had once been declined.
Longstreet, in Manassas to Appomattox, mentions his apprehensions on this subject, but states that he, from personal acquaintance with Grant, felt able to assure Lee that there would be no humiliating demands, and the event justified that assurance.
About 8.30 o'clock Lee, in a full suit of new uniform, with sword and sash and an embroidered belt, boots, and gold spurs, rode to the rear, hoping soon to meet Grant and to be able to make the surrender.
Instead, he learned of Grant's change of route and was handed Grant's letter, dated that morning, and declining the interview.
He at once wrote a reply as follows, and asked to have it sent to overtake Grant on his long ride.
1 Haskell's horse was well known in the army for its beauty and speed. It had been led all the way from Richmond on the retreat, with a view to making an escape in case of a surrender, which intent had now just been abandoned, as already told. The horse recovered and was sold to a Federal officer for a handsome sum in gold.
1907.
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