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each other so long; they again shook hands, and Lee went to the porch.
The national officers followed and saluted him; and the military leader of the rebellion mounted his horse and rode off to his army, he and his soldiers prisoners of war.
As the great rebel entered his own lines the men rushed up in crowds to their chief, breaking ranks, and struggling to touch his hand.
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he said: ‘Men, we have fought through the war together.
I have done the best I could for you.’
They raised a few broken cheers for the leader whom they had followed in so many a fierce battle and arduous march; and the career of the army of Northern Virginia was ended.
Grant also returned at once to his Headquarters' camp, now pitched almost at the front of Sheridan's command.
As he approached the national lines the news had gone before him, and the firing of salutes began; but he sent at once to stop them.
‘The war is over,’ he said; ‘the rebels are our countrymen again, and the best sign of rejoicing after the victory will be to abstain from all demonstrations in the field.’
But he had not yet reported the capitulation to the government, and dismounting by the road-side, he sat on a stone and called for paper and pencil.
An aide-de-camp offered his order-book, and at 4.30 P. M. on Sunday, the 9th of April, he announced the end of the rebellion in these words:
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New York Appleton 1885.
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