But on arriving at the
rendezvous he had suggested, he received Grant's courteous but decided
refusal to enter into a political negotiation, and also the news that a
formidable force of infantry barred the way and covered the adjacent
hills and valley. The marching of the Confederate army was over forever,
and Lee, suddenly brought to a sense of his real situation, sent orders
to cease hostilities, and wrote another note to Grant, asking an
interview for the purpose of surrendering his army.
The meeting took place at the house of Wilmer McLean, in the edge of the
village of Appomattox, on April 9, 1865. Lee met Grant at the threshold,
and ushered him into a small and barely furnished parlor, where were
soon assembled the leading officers of the national army. General Lee
was accompanied only by his secretary, Colonel Charles Marshall. A short
conversation led up to a request from Lee for the terms on which the
surrender of his army would be received. Grant briefly stated them, and
then wrote them out. Men and officers were to be paroled, and the arms,
artillery, and public property turned over to the officer appointed to
receive them.
"This," he added, "will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor
their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will
be allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United
States authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws in
force where they may reside.
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