Lee and Grant meet

[Patrick H]

I read this account, which I believe to be quoted from Gen. Grant's memoirs, in a newspaper column this evening. I am confident that many of you have read it before, but perhaps a few of you, like me, will be seeing it for the first time. I'm posting this link for the benefit of those of you who have never had an opportunity to read these words. I thought they were quite moving.

This is from the Richmond, Missouri DAILY NEWS.

http://www.richmond-dailynews.com/2...-and-lee-april-9-1865-first-step-to-wars-end/

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I've always enjoyed reading Grant's account of this meeting.
I wonder though . . . was he really concerned about his own uniform appearance ?

General Officers are different in many ways, especially when it comes to uniforms.

Think style contrast between Patton & Bradley during WW II.

If Grant knew this meeting would have been the actual surrender, would he have worn a more formal uniform ?

 

[hanna260]

Thanks for posting, Patrick! Like 7th Miss- I always enjoy reading Grant's recollection of the meeting. He was a very clear, firm, concise writer.

 

[chellers]

I've read Grant's account several times and am so thankful he had the forethought to record the event. Grant never seemed much concerned about his uniform. I feel he simply was describing and contrasting the attire of Lee and himself, and nothing more.
Just my two cents.

 

[hrobalabama]

Yes, Gen Grant's account from his Memoirs is the best of any other writer of the occasion, Historian or not.

 

[KansasFreestater]

I read this account, which I believe to be quoted from Gen. Grant's memoirs, in a newspaper column this evening. I am confident that many of you have read it before, but perhaps a few of you, like me, will be seeing it for the first time. I'm posting this link for the benefit of those of you who have never had an opportunity to read these words. I thought they were quite moving.

This is from the Richmond, Missouri DAILY NEWS.

http://www.richmond-dailynews.com/2...-and-lee-april-9-1865-first-step-to-wars-end/

Yes, the excerpt is from his memoirs. He didn't have his dress uniform with him since it was in a long-lost baggage wagon far behind Grant's location at that moment. The past seven days had all been a mad rush to try to outrun Lee, and Grant's baggage was who knows where along that miles-long line.

The story is indeed very moving. Here's another moving story that's sure to touch your heart, this one about Grant, by James "Pete" Longstreet, Lee's right-hand man and also formerly a dear friend of Grant from "the old army" -- he had even been at Grant's wedding in St. Louis back in 1848.

"Years later [in the late 1850s, after Grant had left the army], I happened to be in St. Louis and there met Captain Holloway and some other army chums. We went into the Planters House to talk over old times, and it was soon proposed to have an old time game of brag [a version of poker], but it was found we were one short of making up a full hand. Then a poorly dressed man in citizens clothes came in and whom we recognized as our old chum Grant. Going into civil life Grant had been unfortunate, and he was really in needy circumstances.

The next day I was walking in front of the Planters when I found myself face to face with Grant, who, placing into the palm of my hand a 5 dollar gold piece, insisted that I should accept payment of a debt of honor 15 years old. I peremptorily declined to take it, alleging that he was out of service and more in need than I. 'You must take it,' said he. 'I cannot live with anything in my possession that is not mine.' Seeing the determination in the man's face, and in order to save him the mortification, I took the money and shaking hands, we parted. The next time we met was at Appomattox, and the first thing that General Grant said to me when we stepped inside, placing his hand in mine was, 'Pete, let us have another game of brag, to recall the days that were so pleasant.' Great God! I thought to myself, how my heart swells out out to such magnanimous touch of humanity. Why do men fight who were born to be brothers?"
​

 

[Patrick H]

Yes, the excerpt is from his memoirs. He didn't have his dress uniform with him since it was in a long-lost baggage wagon far behind Grant's location at that moment. The past seven days had all been a mad rush to try to outrun Lee, and Grant's baggage was who knows where along that miles-long line.

The story is indeed very moving. Here's another moving story that's sure to touch your heart, this one about Grant, by James "Pete" Longstreet, Lee's right-hand man and also formerly a dear friend of Grant from "the old army" -- he had even been at Grant's wedding in St. Louis back in 1848.

"Years later [in the late 1850s, after Grant had left the army], I happened to be in St. Louis and there met Captain Holloway and some other army chums. We went into the Planters House to talk over old times, and it was soon proposed to have an old time game of brag [a version of poker], but it was found we were one short of making up a full hand. Then a poorly dressed man in citizens clothes came in and whom we recognized as our old chum Grant. Going into civil life Grant had been unfortunate, and he was really in needy circumstances.

The next day I was walking in front of the Planters when I found myself face to face with Grant, who, placing into the palm of my hand a 5 dollar gold piece, insisted that I should accept payment of a debt of honor 15 years old. I peremptorily declined to take it, alleging that he was out of service and more in need than I. 'You must take it,' said he. 'I cannot live with anything in my possession that is not mine.' Seeing the determination in the man's face, and in order to save him the mortification, I took the money and shaking hands, we parted. The next time we met was at Appomattox, and the first thing that General Grant said to me when we stepped inside, placing his hand in mine was, 'Pete, let us have another game of brag, to recall the days that were so pleasant.' Great God! I thought to myself, how my heart swells out out to such magnanimous touch of humanity. Why do men fight who were born to be brothers?"
​

Thanks for posting this story, Freestater.

 

[ole]

Grant wasn't much concerned about trappings. I'm reasonably certain that, when informed of Lee's request for a discussion of terms, his first thought wasn't to send some orderly scrambling to find his dress uniform -- if he actually had one.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Great stuff!

Going to visit Ulysses S. Grant's birthplace today at Point Pleasant, Ohio.

His birthplace is 32 miles east of Cincinnati along the Ohio River.

Humble beginnings....

 

[FarawayFriend]

Yes, the excerpt is from his memoirs. He didn't have his dress uniform with him since it was in a long-lost baggage wagon far behind Grant's location at that moment. The past seven days had all been a mad rush to try to outrun Lee, and Grant's baggage was who knows where along that miles-long line.

The story is indeed very moving. Here's another moving story that's sure to touch your heart, this one about Grant, by James "Pete" Longstreet, Lee's right-hand man and also formerly a dear friend of Grant from "the old army" -- he had even been at Grant's wedding in St. Louis back in 1848.

"Years later [in the late 1850s, after Grant had left the army], I happened to be in St. Louis and there met Captain Holloway and some other army chums. We went into the Planters House to talk over old times, and it was soon proposed to have an old time game of brag [a version of poker], but it was found we were one short of making up a full hand. Then a poorly dressed man in citizens clothes came in and whom we recognized as our old chum Grant. Going into civil life Grant had been unfortunate, and he was really in needy circumstances.

The next day I was walking in front of the Planters when I found myself face to face with Grant, who, placing into the palm of my hand a 5 dollar gold piece, insisted that I should accept payment of a debt of honor 15 years old. I peremptorily declined to take it, alleging that he was out of service and more in need than I. 'You must take it,' said he. 'I cannot live with anything in my possession that is not mine.' Seeing the determination in the man's face, and in order to save him the mortification, I took the money and shaking hands, we parted. The next time we met was at Appomattox, and the first thing that General Grant said to me when we stepped inside, placing his hand in mine was, 'Pete, let us have another game of brag, to recall the days that were so pleasant.' Great God! I thought to myself, how my heart swells out out to such magnanimous touch of humanity. Why do men fight who were born to be brothers?"
​

KF, just read that passage the other day and wanted to contribute it here, having seen the headline ... now you beat me at it. Great words.
The last sentence always gives me shivers.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

My attitudes about certain CW figures were somewhat different before I joined here. I always imagined (I always picture what I read as a short movie in my head.) I knew Lee was a "gentleman soldier", but not to the extent that now I picture him as---and as for Grant, after reading his memoirs (and reading this thread again), my "movie" shows him as a whole different, likable, competent man. I wish I could have been there to witness this touching scene between two great generals; Lee soft-spoken and so dignified, Grant a "good guy", down-to -earth, and respectful. I like the "new movie" in my head much more than what I grew up thinking would have been a curt, bitter meeting. The real account is both sad and pleasant...moving to say the least.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

What about the "apple orchard surrender" story? I'd never heard of that one until just now...found it on internet under Appamatox Courthouse...