"GENERAL,

"Head-Quarters, Army of Northern Virginia, "April 9th, 1865.

"I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms of the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th inst., they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"R. E. LEE, General."

The interview ended the two generals parted. Lee, remounting his courser, returned to his head-quarters. The emotion of the Confederates, on seeing their adored chief again, and learning what had passed, cannot be described. Breaking their ranks, they rushed to him, seeking to seize his hand, calling down on his head the blessings of the Most High, begging Heaven, with tears in their eyes, to sustain him in this latest trial. "God help you, General!" resounded on all sides. This spontaneous ovation touched him deeply. With eyes brimful through emotion, he cast on his men a look of inexpressible pride, and with a trembling voice said to them: "Men, we have fought through the war together. I have done the best I could for you. My heart is too full to say more!"

The victors were magnanimous. They abstained from every appearance of insult towards the vanquished. Abundant victuals were distributed to the prisoners, who were dying of hunger.

The day after the capitulation, Lee addressed to his heroic soldiers an order of the day, his final adieu to them:

66

'Head-Quarters, Army of Northern Virginia, April 10th, 1865.

"After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

Y

"I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but, feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuation of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

"By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes, and remain there until exchanged.

"You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection.

"With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kindness and generous consideration of myself, I bid you, soldiers, an affectionate farewell.

"R. E. LEE, General."

On the 12th of April, the Confederate army of Virginia was formed into divisions for the last time. Conducted to a place near Appomattox Court House, the soldier-prisoners had there to park their artillery, pile their rifles, lay down their accoutrements, and finally to part for ever from those flags they had so much loved. 7500 men lowered their arms, but nearly 18,000 stragglers without arms also took advantage of the capitulation. 2000 cavalry, under Fitzhugh Lee and Rosser had escaped before Sheridan's troops had closed in all the ways. Some hours later, however, they likewise surrendered. General Grant had the delicacy to delegate one of his generals to receive the prisoners. He himself abstained from appearing at the ceremony.

The melancholy details of the capitulation over, General Lee, a simple prisoner on parole, like the meanest of his soldiers, prepared to return to Richmond. Tearing himself away from the

passionate display of affection on the part of his soldiers, he departed towards the city. His veterans saw him for the last time on his faithful Traveller, who, without a scratch, had passed through all the dangers of this campaign. His escort was composed of a detachment of Federal cavalry, preceded by an ensign. Twenty-five Confederate officers accompanied him. Several waggons filled with baggage and personal effects followed, among other things the little open carriage of which Lee had made use over and over again during the war, when, through accident or sickness, he could not ride on horseback. It was generally in this he used to lay aside choice provisions for the wounded.

All along the road Lee appeared much more concerned about the sad state to which the unhappy inhabitants were reduced, than about his own personal situation. He was exceedingly affected at the delicate care with which these poor folk received him, preparing for him warm repasts, and evincing towards him all the tokens of loving respect. Notwithstanding hospitable offers made to him, he continued to sleep on the bare ground, wishing in nothing to be better treated than his companions on the road. Even at his brother's house he passed the night in his little carriage. On approaching Richmond he went in front of his escort, followed only by a few officers, and crossed the James on pontoons, the ordinary bridge having been burnt when the Confederates evacuated the town. The appearance of Richmond was desolate. Much of the lower part of the city had been burnt on the 3rd of April, and all around nothing was seen but blackened ruins.

A few persons having recognised the general, the report of his arrival rapidly spread; immediately the inhabitants crowded round him, welcoming him with acclamations, waving their hats and handkerchiefs. Desirous to avoid all public manifestations, the illustrious prisoner, bowing to his numerous admirers, escaped from this impromptu ovation as soon as he could, and presently reached the house where his family waited for him. The Federal

soldiers, grouped round the door, gave him a militaty salute.

It

was with great difficulty he dismounted, such was the crowd, everybody wishing to shake his hand, hear his voice, or touch his person some actually embraced the faithful Traveller that had borne him safe and sound through so many dangers. Hastening to cross the threshold of his house, which the impassioned admiration of his fellow-citizens had the good taste to respect, he kept there constantly within doors, going out only at night, in order to avoid demonstrations as melancholy as useless, and which besides might attract the anger of the Federal authorities towards the people of Richmond, who had already had a sad experience. Nevertheless, his door continued to be besieged by the curious, and by Confederate soldiers returning to their firesides, who had a wish to see their general once more.

CHAPTER XVII.

LEE'S LAST YEARS AT LEXINGTON. HIS DEATH, OCTOBER 12, 1870. In the latter years of Lee's life, the greatness and sweetness of his character, two qualities rarely combined, contributed to form an extraordinary and charming whole. The misfortune and humiliation of defeat never succeeded in drawing from him a single word of anger or impatience when speaking of the North. When, in his presence, sentiments of hatred were heard, he unhesitatingly condemned them, thus setting an example of moderation and charity which, let us hope, found many imitators. He wished, by the manner in which he bore his private misfortunes, to reconcile the Southern populations to the harshness of their lot. If he learnt of young people contemplating emigration from their country to settle with the foreigner, he reminded them that the true way of displaying their love for the South was to remain. there, and assist in healing her bleeding wounds. The constant aim proposed to himself was to calm and heal ulcerated hearts. It was on the rising generation that he especially founded his hopes; it was to this he devoted the remainder of his life, refusing all the generous offers and splendid situations proposed to him, as well in various cities of the United States as in England and Ireland. "I am deeply grateful," said he, "but I cannot consent to desert my native State in the hour of her adversity. I must abide her fortunes and share her fate."

Some months after the end of the war, General Lee accepted