Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 2

When Grant discovered that Lee entertained these opinions, he urged him to address the rebel government and people, and use his great influence to hasten the result which he admitted was not only inevitable, but, under the circumstances, desirable. But this step Lee was not inclined to take. He said that he was now a prisoner, and felt a delicacy about advising others to put themselves in his position. But he had no doubt they would speedily arrive at the same conclusion without his urging.

The conversation was protracted, and the restless Sheridan, not used to waiting, at last rode up and asked permission to cross the lines and visit some of his old comrades in the rebel army. Leave of course was given, and with Sheridan went Generals Ingalls and Seth Williams, both men of the old army, with as many personal friends among the rebel officers as under the national flag. They soon found acquaintances, and, when the interview between Grant and Lee was over, the three returned, bringing with them nearly every officer of high rank in the rebel army, to pay their respects to Grant and thank him for the terms he had accorded them the day before. Lee now bade good-morning, and returned to his own Headquarters, while the national chief and those with him repaired to the farm-house hard by, where the capitulation had been signed.

Hither also came Longstreet, Gordon, Heth, Wilcox, Pickett, and other rebel officers of fame, splendid soldiers, who had given their enemies much trouble; and Sheridan, Ord, Griffin, and the men on