A Cold Day in April 1865

by Rebecca Roberts, age 14
(Bloomingdale, Ohio, USA)

Grant: "I think I have met you once before. Maybe when we were serving in Mexico?"

Lee: "I believe so, although I have never been able to remember what you looked like. I believe that we should commence discussing the terms of our surrender."

Grant: "Yes, I do agree. There will be no need for soldiers to give up their arms. But they must stack their fire arms where they are shown to."

Lee: "God's Will be done."

Grant: "I must have your men sign a parole stating that they will not fight against the United States. Then they will be free to go back to their homes and farms."

Lee: "May I ask if my men can keep their horses, as they will need them when they go back to their farms?"

Grant: "I have no objections."

Lee: "Also, my men are starving to death. They have had nothing to eat for weeks, except parched corn."

Grant: "I see; I will have my men turn over some of their rations to them."