Following the battle for Mobile, and the retreat of the Confederate forces, Major General E.R.S.Canby of the Union Army, sent cavalry scouts out to survey the route along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. They reported back to his command, that a large farmhouse existed just North of Kushla Station. When contact had been established between the Union Command, and that of Lieutenant General Richard Taylor (son of President Zachary Taylor), Commanding the Army of the Trans Mississippi, the last organized forces of the Confederate Army, East of the Mississippi River, a meeting was suggested, to discuss a cease fire and possible terms of surrender. The Union Command suggested the Magee Farm, some twelve miles North of Mobile, on the Mobile and Ohio rail line.

 On the morning of April 29, 1865, General Canby arrived by train with a brigade of troops numbering around 1800 men, complete with a military band. The Federal contingent, were attired in their best dress uniforms. A couple of hours later, General Taylor was reported nearing the assigned locale. His arrival was quite less glamorous and much smaller than that of the Federal Army.

General Taylor arrived standing on the back of a railroad push cart, powered by two black servants. He was accompanied by a single military aide, Colonel William Levy. Both General Taylor and his aide's uniforms were quite soiled, tattered and both men looked very worn, but never the less, they approached with military bearing, and heads held high, looking their foe directly in the eyes. It was suggested that the party retire to the comfort of the Magee home. After a cordial greeting, the Generals, along with one aide each, went into the parlor, and with the doors closed, discussed and agreed to a cease fire. The entire matter just took over ten minutes or so. They then proceeded to the dining room where champagne had been prepared. The Union Band struck up the melody of "Hail Columbia", General Canby dispatched orders for them to play "Dixie", but General Taylor intervened and said that perhaps "Hail Columbia" would be more suitable for the future. As the event was toasted with the opening of champagne bottles, General Taylor stated, that it was the most pleasant popping sound he had heard in the last four years; a meal was served, which was most welcomed by all in attendance. After some small talk, General Taylor and his aide left for his Headquarters in Meridian, Mississippi. General Canby then returned back to Mobile. After much discussion by couriers and telegraph, a final date was set, and the Confederate Army under General Taylor's command surrendered at Citronelle, Alabama on May 4, 1865.