Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1885 — The Appomattox Apple Tree. [ARTICLE]

The Appomattox Apple Tree.

When I reached Appomattox. C. H. Leg had been in McClean’s house lor some time. All there is of the apple tree story is this : When I received a note from Lee asking to meet me at Appomattox, where he then was, I sent him a note saying I would be there as soon as possible. There was an old apple orchard on the hillside opposite McClean’s house, where the advance of Lee’s army had halted when the white flag was exhibited. A farm road ran diagonally up the hill through thd orchard. In places where ti'ees were close to the wheel tracks on the upper side of the road the roots had been cut oft’ by being continually run over. This left a low bank between the road and trees so cut. When the officer (Gen. O. E. Babcock) who bore my reply to Gen. Lee reached him he was seated on one of these enbankments, with his feet in the road and his back against the tree. He was then invited to pass through our lines to a house to await my arrival. —Gen. U. S. Grant.