captains of the civil war-第58章
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deral infantry straight across its one way out； Lee at once sent forward a white flag。
Grant； overwrought with anxiety； had been suffering from an excruciating headache all night long。 But the moment he opened Lee's note； offering to discuss surrender； he felt as well as ever； and instantly wrote back to say he was ready。 Pushing rapidly on he met Lee at McLean's private residence near Appomattox Court House。 There was a remarkable contrast between the appearance of the two commanders。 Grant； only forty…three； and without a tinge of gray in his brown hair； took an inch or two off his medium height by stooping keenly forward； and had nothing in his shabby private's uniform to show his rank except the three…starred shoulder…straps。 When the main business was over； and he had time to notice details； he apologized to Lee； explaining that the extreme rapidity of his movements had carried him far ahead of his baggage。 Lee's aide…de…camp； Colonel Charles Marshall； afterwards explained that when the Confederates had been obliged to reduce themselves simply to what they stood in； each officer had naturally put on his best。 Hence Lee's magnificent appearance in a brand…new general's uniform with the jeweled sword of honor that Virginia had given him。 Well over six feet tall； straight as an arrow in spite of his fifty…eight years and snow…white； war…grown beard； still extremely handsome； and full of equal dignity and charm； he looked； from head to foot； the perfect leader of devoted men。
Grant； holding out his hand in cordial greeting； began the conversation by saying： 〃I met you once before； General Lee； while we were serving in Mexico 。 。 。 。 I have always remembered your appearance； and I think I should have recognized you anywhere。〃 After some other personal talk Lee said： 〃I suppose； General Grant； that the object of our present meeting is fully understood。 I asked to see you in order to ascertain on what terms you would receive the surrender of my army。〃 Grant answered that officers and men were to be paroled and disqualified from serving again till properly exchanged； and that all warlike and other stores were to be treated as captured。 Lee bowed assent； said that was what he had expected； and presently suggested that Grant should commit the terms to writing on the spot。 When Grant got to the end of the terms already discussed his eye fell on Lee's splendid sword of honor； and he immediately added the sentence： 〃This will not embrace the side…arms of the officers； nor their private horses or baggage。〃 When Lee read over the draft he flushed slightly on coming to this generous proviso and gratefully said： 〃This will have a very happy effect upon my army。〃 Grant then asked him if he had any suggestions to make； whereupon he said that the mounted Confederates； unlike the Federals； owned their horses。 Before he had time to ask a favor Grant said that as these horses would be invaluable for men returning to civil life they could all be taken home after full proof of ownership。 Lee again flushed and gratefully replied： 〃This will have the best possible effect upon the men。 It will be very gratifying and do much toward conciliating our people。〃
While the documents were being written out for signature Grant introduced the generals and staff officers to Lee。 Then Lee once more led the conversation back to business by saying he wished to return his prisoners to Grant at the earliest possible moment because he had nothing more for them to eat。 〃I have； indeed； nothing for my own men；〃 he added。 They had been living on the scantiest supply of parched corn for several days； and this famine fare； combined with their utter lack of all other suppliesespecially medicine and clothingwas wearing them away faster than any 〃war of attrition〃 in the open field。 After heartily agreeing that the prisoners should immediately return Grant said： 〃I will take steps at once to have your army supplied with rations。 Suppose I send over twenty…five thousand； do you think that will be a sufficient supply？〃 〃I think it will be ample；〃 said Lee； who； after a pause； added： 〃and it will be a great relief； I assure you。〃
Then Lee rose； shook Grant warmly by the hand； bowed to the others； and left the room。 As he appeared on the porch all the Union officers in the grounds rose respectfully and saluted him。 While the Confederate orderly was bridling the horses Lee stood alone； gazing in unutterable grief across the valley to where the remnant of his army lay。 Then； as he mounted Traveler； every Union officer followed Grant's noble example by standing bareheaded till horse and rider had disappeared from view。
Grant next sent off the news to Washington and； true to his sterling worth； immediately stopped the salutes which some of his enthusiastic soldiers were already beginning to fire。 〃The war is over；〃 he told his staff； 〃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。〃
In the meantime Lee had returned to his own lines； along which he now rode for the last time。 The reserve with which he had steeled his heart during the surrender gave way completely when he came to bid his men farewell。 After a few simple words； advising his devoted veterans to become good citizens of their reunited country； the tears could no longer be kept back。 Then； as he rode slowly on； from the remnant of one old regiment to another； the men broke ranks； and； mostly silent with emotion； pressed round their loved commander； to take his hand； to touch his sword； or fondly stroke his splendid gray horse； Traveler； the same that had so often carried him victorious through the hard…fought day。
North and South had scarcely grasped the full significance of Lee's surrender； when； only five days later； Lincoln was assassinated。 〃It would be impossible for me；〃 said Grant； 〃to describe the feeling that overcame me at the news。 I knew his goodness of heart； and above all his desire to see all the people of the United States enter again upon the full privileges of citizenship with equality among all。 I felt that reconstruction had been set back； no telling how far。〃 〃Of all the men I ever met；〃 said Sherman； 〃he seemed to possess more of the elements of greatness； combined with goodness； than any other。〃
On the very day of the assassination Sherman had written to Johnston offering the same terms Grant had given Lee and Lincoln had most heartily approved。 Three days later； on the seventeenth； just as Sherman was entering the train for his meeting with Johnston； the operator handed him a telegram announcing the assassination。 Enjoining secrecy till he returned； Sherman took the telegram with him and showed it to Johnston； whom he watched intently。 〃The perspiration came out on his forehead；〃 Sherman wrote； 〃and he did not attempt to conceal his distress。 He denounced the act as a disgrace to the age and hoped I did not charge it to the Confederate Government。 I told him I could not believe that he or General Lee or the officers of the Confederate army could possibly be privy to acts of assassination。〃 When Sherman got back to Raleigh he published the news in general orders； and experienced the supreme satisfaction of finding that not one man in all that mournful army had to be restrained from a single act of revenge。
After much misunderstanding with Washington now in lesser hands； the surrender of Johnston's and the other Confederate armies was effected。 Each body of troops laid down its arms and quietly dispersed。 One day the bugles called； the camp fires burned； and comrades were together in the ranks。 The next； like morning mists； they disappeared； thenceforth to be remembered and admired only as the heroes of a hopeless cause。
It was a very different scene through which their rivals marched into lasting fame with all the pride； pomp； and circumstance of war。 On the twenty…third and twenty…fourth of May； in perfect weather； and in the stirring presence of a loyal； vast； enthusiastic throng； the Union armies were reviewed in Washington。 For over six full hours each day the troops marched pastthe very flower of those who had come back victorious。 The route was flagged from end to end with S
