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| History of Cambria County, V.2 |
| 406 | HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. | |
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low without doubt, Gen. Sheridan sent Col. Newhall with a dispatch to Grant, advising him that the surrender was awaiting his arrival. The articles of surrender were executed in the McLean house in the little village of Appomattox Court House, where it had been arranged by Sheridan, Gordon and other officers, that Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee should meet at 1:30 p.m. Col. Charles Marshall was the only Confederate officer with his chief, while Maj.-Gens. P.H. Sheridan, E.O.C. Ord, Rufus Ingalls, Seth Williams, John G. Barnard; Brig.-Gen. John A. Rawlins, chief of staff; Cols. Horace Porter, Theodore S. Bowers, Frederick T. Dent, O.E. Babcock, Ely S. Parker and Adam Badeau were with Gen. Grant. At 4 p.m. the terms of surrender were concluded, and Gen. Grant started for Washington City without having entered the enemy's lines. Having endeavored to bring the war to a close with as little humiliation as was possible, the terms proposed by Gen. Grant had created a rather pleasant sentiment among the Confederates. Lee's officers tried to arrange the formal surrender so that their men should stack their arms in their own camps, which would necessitate the victors going for them. Such a plan was not consistent with the dignity of the occasion, and it was then agreed that the Confederates should march out and lay down their arms and colors in the presence of a portion of Gen. Grant's army. This agreeable duty was sought after by so many of the officers and men, that it was necessary to decide by lot upon whom should fall this honor. Gen. Griffin's 5th Corps of Infantry (Capt. Powell Stackhouse) and Gen. Mackenzie's division of cavalry (Capt. Hads) were thus chosen, and Gen. Chamberlain (Capt. Stack house) was designated to preside over these proceedings. The Confederates formed in line with their battle flags unfurled, approached with a slow step, and halted at “present arms.” In the intense quietness which prevailed, they faced the 5th Corps and Mackenzie's cavalry (Capts. Stackhouse and Hads), who stood at “shoulder arms.” After dressing line and fixing bayonets, the Confederates advanced, stacked their arms, hung their cartridge boxes on the bayonets, and then sadly furled their flags and laid them down, some of them kneeling and kissing their colors in tears. It was then that the hearts of the victors went out to their late antagonists in deep sympathy. |
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