nearly three o'clock in the afternoon
Near by stood a farm house belonging to Wilmer McLean , but , Grant not yet having come , the Southern commander-in-chief dismounted , and , as the air was close and hot , he remained a little while under the shade of an apple tree , the famous apple tree of Appomattox , around which truth and legend have played so much . Dick was fully conscious of everything now . He realized the greatness of the moment , and he would not miss any detail of any movement on the part of the principals . It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon when Grant and his staff rode up , the Union leader still wearing his plain blue blouse , no sword at his side , his shoulder straps alone signifying his rank . The two generals who had faced each other with such resolution in that terrible conflict shook hands , and Dick saw them talking pleasantly as if they were chance acquaintances who had just met once more . Presently they went into the McLean house , several of General Grant 's staff accompanying him , but Lee taking with him only Colonel Thomas Marshall . Before the day was over Dick learned all that had occurred inside that unpretentious but celebrated farm house .