e a crime,
and got his permission to treat with Sherman, while the fallen
Confederate President escaped further south.

Lee's object was to make his way along the north side of the Appomattox
River, which flows east through Petersburg to the James estuary, and at
a certain point strike southwards towards Johnston's army. He fought
for his escape with all his old daring and skill, while hardly less
vigorous and skilful efforts were made not only to pursue, but to
surround him. Grant in his pursuit sent letters of courteous entreaty
that he would surrender and spare further slaughter. Northern cavalry
got ahead of Lee, tearing up the railway lines he had hoped to use and
blocking possible mountain passes; and his supply trains were being cut
off. After a long running fight and one last fierce battle on April 6,
at a place called Sailor's Creek, Lee found himself on April 9 at
Appomattox Court House, some seventy miles west of Petersburg,
surrounded beyond hope of escape. On that day he and Grant with their
staffs met in a neighbouring farmhouse. Those present recalled
afterwards the contrast of the stately Lee and the plain, ill-dressed
Grant arriving mud-splashed in his haste. Lee greeted Meade as an old
acquaintance and remarked how grey he had grown with years. Meade
gracefully replied that Lee and not age was responsible for that.
Grant had started "quite jubilant" on the news that Lee was ready to
surrender, but in presence of "the downfall of a foe who had fought so
long and valiantly" he fell into sadness. Pleasant "talk of old army
times" followed, and he had almost forgotten, as he declares, the
business in hand, when Lee asked him on what terms he would accept
surrender. Grant sat down and wrote, not knowing when he began what he
should go on to write. As he wrote he thought of the handsome sword
Lee carried. Instantly he added to his terms permission for every
Southern officer to keep his sword and his horse. Lee read the paper
and when he came to that point was visibly moved. He gauged his man,
and he ventured to ask something more. He thought, he said, Grant
might not know that the Confederate cavalry troopers owned their own
horses. Grant said they would be badly wanted on the farms and added a
further concession accordingly. "This will have the best possible
effect on the men," said Lee. "It will do much towards conciliating
our people." Grant included also in his written terms words of g