Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/88

62 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS pushed forward with all speed on the south side to head off Lee from Lynchburg. Near midnight on the night of the 8th Grant received another note from Lee, saying he had not intended to propose the surrender of his army, but desired to know whether Grant s proposals would lead to peace, and suggested a meeting at 10 A. M. the next morning. Grant replied that such a meeting could lead to no good, as he had no authority to treat on the subject of peace, but suggested that the south s laying down their arms would hasten the event and save thousands of lives and hundreds of millions of property. Early on the morning of April 9, Lee s advance arrived at Appomattox Court-House; but, by ex traordinary forced marches, Sheridan, Ord, and Griffin reached that place at the same time. Lee attacked the cavalry; but, when he found infantry in his front, he sent in a flag of truce, and for warded a note to Grant, asking an interview in accordance with the offer contained in Grant s let ter of the day before. Grant received it on the road while riding toward Appomattox Court-House, and sent a reply saying he would move forward and meet Lee at any place he might select. They met in the McLean house, in Appomattox on the afternoon of the 9th, and the terms of surrender were drawn up by Grant and accepted by Lee. The conference lasted about three hours. The men and