Your note of this date is but at this moment (11:50 A. M.) received, in consequence of my having passed from the Richmond and Lynchburg road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road.  I am at this writing about four miles west of Walker’s Church, and will push forward to the front for the purpose of meeting you.  Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the interview to take place will meet me.

It was a characteristic and modest letter, and yet the heart under the plain blue blouse must have beat with elation at the knowledge that he had brought, what was then the greatest war of modern times, to a successful conclusion.  The dispatch was given to Colonel Babcock of his staff, who was instructed to ride in haste to Lee and arrange the interview.  The general and his staff followed, but missing the way, narrowly escaped capture by Confederate troops, who did not yet know of the proposal to suspend hostilities.  But they at last reached Sheridan about a half mile west of Appomattox Court House.

Dick and his comrades meanwhile spent a momentous morning.  It would have been impossible for him afterward to have described his own feelings, they were such an extraordinary compound of relief, elation, pity and sympathy.  The two armies faced each other, and, for the first time, in absolute peace.  The men in blue were already slipping food and tobacco to their brethren in gray whom they had fought so long and so hard, and at many points along the lines they were talking freely with one another.  The officers made no effort to restrain them, all alike feeling sure that the bayonets would now be rusting.

The Winchester men were dismounted, their horses being tethered in a grove, and Dick with the colonel, Warner and Pennington were at the front, eagerly watching the ragged little army that faced them.  He saw soon a small band of soldiers, at the head of whom stood two elderly men in patched but neat uniforms, their figures very erect, and their faces bearing no trace of depression.  Close by them were two tall youths whom Dick recognized at once as St. Clair and Langdon.  He waved his hand to them repeatedly, and, at last, caught the eye of St. Clair, who at once waved back and then called Langdon’s attention.  Langdon not only waved also, but walked forward, as if to meet him, bringing St. Clair with him, and Dick, responding at once, advanced with Warner and Pennington.

They shook hands under the boughs of an old oak, and were unaffectedly glad to see one another, although the three youths in blue felt awkwardness at first, being on the triumphant side, and fearing lest some act or word of theirs might betray exultation over a conquered foe.  But St. Clair, precise, smiling, and trim in his attire, put them at ease.

“General Lee will be here presently,” he said, “and you, as well as we, know that the war is over.  You are the victors and our cause is lost.”