Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 3

‘ [600] church, and will push forward to the front for the purpose of meeting you. Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the interview to take place will meet me.’ This note was carried forward through Sheridan's lines by Colonel Babcock, of Grant's staff, who passed the enemy's pickets and was conducted to Lee.

The great rebel was sitting by the roadside under an apple-tree, surrounded by his officers; but he immediately mounted and rode forward to select the place for an interview, in accordance with the suggestion of Grant. First, however, he desired to send a message to Meade. He had been so anxious to avoid any further fighting, that he had requested of Meade, as Well as Sheridan, a cessation of hostilities; and Meade, as well as Sheridan, at first declined to receive the proposition, declaring that he had no authority, but finally agreed to a truce until two P. M., by which time it was supposed the generalsin-chief would have met. Lee informed Babcock of this arrangement, and requested that word might be sent to Meade, and the truce extended. Babcock accordingly wrote a line to Meade, notifying him of the circumstances, and requesting him to maintain the truce until positive orders from Grant could be received.

But the hours were passing, and the distance to Meade's Headquarters, around the national front, was nearly twelve miles, while through the rebel army it was not more than two miles; and, in his anxiety lest the fighting should recommence, Lee now volunteered to send an officer through his own lines with the message to Meade. Babcock's note was accordingly transmitted in this way by General