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(2002) Custer
field glasses |
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(2002)
Replica of the grandest prize of all from Appomattox, the small wooden
table upon which Grant wrote the terms of the surrender, went to General
Sheridan who paid $20.00 in gold for it. He turned it over to the 'boy
wonder' on his staff, General George Armstrong Custer, whose wife
Elizabeth possessed it for the rest of her life. In 1912 she lent the
table to the Smithsonian and in 1936, according to her will, the loan
became a bequest. She also cherished the letter General Sheridan sent
along with the table.
My Dear Madam: I respectfully present to you the small writing-table on
which the conditions for the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern
Virginia was written by Lt.-General Grant, and permit me to say, madam,
that there is scarcely an individual who has contributed more to bring
about this desirable result than your very gallant husband |
