Down the road came riding a gaunt-looking man,
with the familiar stoop-shoulders, and mud-bespattered trousers and
boots. It was the general-in-chief on his way to greet his beaten foe!
The two men looked each other in the eye, then clasped hands like old
friends. Grant recalled the days of the Mexican campaign, and was
surprised that Lee knew so much about him in those days. He wanted to
talk old times, and Lee himself brought up the subject of surrender.
Grant took his seat at a table and wrote out the simple and generous
terms which allowed officers and men to return to their homes, on
giving their word not to take up arms against the United States
government again.
Lee's fine, dignified features softened as he read the terms--so much
more magnanimous than he had dared to hope.
"My men are nearly starving," he began--
"What do you need?" interrupted Grant; and gave instant orders that the
defeated army should be supplied with rations.
"Tell the boys to go home and go to work," he said.
That was Grant.
IMPORTANT DATES IN GRANT'S LIFE
1822. April 27. Ulysses Simpson Grant born.
1839. Received appointment to U. S. Military Academy, West Point.
1843. Graduated.
1845. Went as second-lieutenant to join Taylor's forces in Mexico.
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