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Grant, after sending
Lee his note, written that morning,
had left
Meade, crossed the
Appomattox, and was hurrying on to join
Sheridan and
Griffin, when he was handed a letter from the
Confederate leader, in which he said: “I received your note of this morning on the picket line, whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your proposal of yesterday, with reference to the surrender of this army.
I now ask an interview, in accordance with an offer contained in your letter of yesterday, for that purpose.”
Grant sent
Lee word that he assented to his request, and arrangements were made for the interview in the parlor of the neat brick dwelling of
Wilmer McLean,
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McLean's House. |
at Appomattox Court-House.
There the two commanders met, with courteous recognition, at two o'clock on Palm Sunday, the 9th of April.
Grant was accompanied only by his chief aid,
Colonel Parker.
Lee was attended by
Colonel Marshall, his adjutant-general.
The terms of surrender were discussed and settled.
They were put in the form of a written proposition by
Grant, and a written acceptance by
Lee. They were engrossed, and at about half-past 3 o'clock were signed on a neat mahogany center-table, with a
marble top, delineated in the annexed engraving.
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Capitulation table. |
The terms prescribed by
Grant were most extraordinary, under the circumstances, for their leniency and magnanimity.
They simply required
Lee and his men to give their parole of honor that they would not take up arms against their Government, until regularly exchanged; gave to the officers their side-arms, baggage, and private horses, and pledged the faith of the
Government that they should not be punished for their treason and rebellion,
