[272]
with the views of either.
Neither of them, I am sure, was influenced by any theatrical ideas of the surrender.
You will observe that by the very terms of the surrender demanded by General Grant, it was expressly provided that the officers of the Confederate army should retain their sidearms.
To have offered to surrender his sword would have been an offer on General Lee's part to do more than had been demanded of him. I cannot, therefore, understand how Mrs. Davis, or any one else, could have supposed that General Lee made that offer, or how General Grant could have made such a demand.
This subject has been so much dwelt upon by those who pretend to write about the circumstances of the surrender that it has become fatiguing.
All the facts are, I think, fully set forth in the address I send you. This statement has been prepared with great care and has never been contradicted by any officer on either side to my knowledge.
Believe me, my dear sir, very truly yours,
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Richmond, VA. 1901.
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