hs something over two hundred pounds,
without being burdened with a pound of superfluous flesh. During the whole
interview he was retired and dignified to a degree bordering on
taciturnity, but was free from all exhibition of temper or mortification.
His demeanor was that of a thoroughly possessed gentleman, who had a very
disagreeable duty to perform, but was determined to get through it as well
and as soon as he could.

It is to be fairly and cheerfully admitted that General Grant's conduct,
with respect to all the circumstances of the surrender exhibited some
extraordinary traits of magnanimity. He had conducted it with as much
simplicity as possible, avoided sensation, and spared everything that
might wound the feelings or imply the humiliation of a vanquished foe.
Such conduct was noble. Before the surrender, General Grant had expressed
to his own officers his intention not to require the same formalities as
are required in a surrender between the forces of two foreign nations or
beligerant powers, and to exact no conditions for the mere purpose of
humiliation.

While the interview with reference to the surrender was taking place
between the commanders, a strange scene was transpiring between the lines
of the two armies, and occupied the period of the armistice. An informal
conference and mingling of the officers of both armies gave to the streets
of the village of Appomattox Court House a strange appearance. On the
Federal side were Gens. Ord, Sheridan, Crook, Gibbon, Griffin, Merritt,
Ayers, Bartlett, Chamberlain, Forsythe, and Mitchie. On the Confederate
side were Generals Longstreet, Gordon, Heth, Wilcox, and others. The
conference lasted some hour and a half. None but general officers were
allowed to pass through the skirmish line; there were mutual introductions
and shaking of hands, and soon was passed some whiskey, and mutual healths
drank. Gradually the area of the conference widened. The parties filled
the streets and before this singular conference closed, some were seated
on the steps, and others, for better accommodations, chatted cosily,
seated on a contiguous fence.

Between the skirmish lines of the two armies there was a great suspense,
for it was felt that great interest were at stake between them. Skirmish
line confronted skirmish line, lines of battle confronted lines of battle,
cannon confronted cannon. Eager hopes hung on the interview between the
opposing great commanders of the two armies.