The head of Lee’s column came marching up there on the morning of the 9th, not dreaming, I suppose, that there were any Union soldiers near.  The Confederates were surprised to find our cavalry had possession of the trains.  However, they were desperate and at once assaulted, hoping to recover them.  In the melee that ensued they succeeded in burning one of the trains, but not in getting anything from it.  Custer then ordered the other trains run back on the road towards Farmville, and the fight continued.

So far, only our cavalry and the advance of Lee’s army were engaged.  Soon, however, Lee’s men were brought up from the rear, no doubt expecting they had nothing to meet but our cavalry.  But our infantry had pushed forward so rapidly that by the time the enemy got up they found Griffin’s corps and the Army of the James confronting them.  A sharp engagement ensued, but Lee quickly set up a white flag.

CHAPTER LXVII.

NEGOTIATIONS AT APPOMATTOX—­INTERVIEW WITH LEE AT MCLEAN’S HOUSE—­THE TERMS OF SURRENDER—­LEE’S SURRENDER—­INTERVIEW WITH LEE AFTER THE SURRENDER.

On the 8th I had followed the Army of the Potomac in rear of Lee.  I was suffering very severely with a sick headache, and stopped at a farmhouse on the road some distance in rear of the main body of the army.  I spent the night in bathing my feet in hot water and mustard, and putting mustard plasters on my wrists and the back part of my neck, hoping to be cured by morning.  During the night I received Lee’s answer to my letter of the 8th, inviting an interview between the lines on the following morning. (43) But it was for a different purpose from that of surrendering his army, and I answered him as follows: 

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE U. S., April 9, 1865.

GENERAL R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A.

Your note of yesterday is received.  As I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed for ten A.M. to-day could lead to no good.  I will state, however, General, that I am equally anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same feeling.  The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood.  By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed.  Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, etc.,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

I proceeded at an early hour in the morning, still suffering with the headache, to get to the head of the column.  I was not more than two or three miles from Appomattox Court House at the time, but to go direct I would have to pass through Lee’s army, or a portion of it.  I had therefore to move south in order to get upon a road coming up from another direction.