President Johnson, Secretary Seward, Secretary Stanton, and other public men, made speeches in answer to the calls of many thousands of jubilant listeners. A deep feeling of religious gratitude seemed to move the hearts of all speakers and all listeners, underlying all the superficial demonstrations of popular gladness. It was not the mere exultation of triumph over a fallen foe. In those ever-memorable hours, there was a gentle spirit of clemency diffused among the people, such as had but now become consciously present. To the colored race, the “jubilee appeared indeed to have come-an hour earnestly longed for, and now welcomed with childlike exhilaration. Similar was the reception of the news in all the great cities, and throughout the loyal portion of the land. Even those who least sympathized with the Government, found cause for gratification in the immediate prospect of peace. The joy was truly universal. While the people were rejoicing over the capture of Richmond, Gen. Grant and the armies with him were eagerly endeavoring to make an end of the army of Lee, without which the work was incomplete. Anticipating the prompt retreat of the enemy from Richmond, Grant did not wait for “official information" that he was gone, but threw his men at once westward toward Burkesville, moving with great celerity, in order to intercept his retiring march. Sheridan, with the Fifth Corps, led the van. His cavalry pursued the forces retreating from Petersburg, routing the Rebel cavalry and taking many prisoners, on the 3d of April. During the two following days Grant's entire force, except those left in garrison at Petersburg, and the Ninth Corps, guarding the Southside railroad, was moving along the river and Namozine roads, the Second and Sixth Corps following after the Fifth, which was preceded by the cavalry. On the 4th, learning from scouts that a body of the enemy was at Amelia Court House, a concentration at that point being probable, Sheridan ordered Crook's cavalry division to strike the Danville railroad between Jettersville and Burke's Station, advancing toward the former place. The Fifth Corps moved rapidly up to that point, and the fact was soon settled that Lee, with his whole army, was there, his retreat to Burkesville Junction having thus been intercepted. He now endeavored to strike across the country by way of Deatonsville to Farmville, on the Lynchburg road. The cavalry and the Sixth and Second Corps encountered Ewell's corps at Sailor's creek, on the 6th, surrounded it, and captured nearly all the force, including Ewell and other general officers. On the 7th, the Fifth Corps was moved to the left, toward Prince Edward's Court House, south-west of Farmville. The Second Corps continued the direct pursuit, coming up with the enemy at High Bridge, across the Appomattox, capturing eighteen of his guns. Gen. Barlow's division advanced to the left, found the enemy evacuating Farmville, and hastened his movement by attacking the place. Pursuit was continued on the 8th, by the Lynchburg stage road, and on the following day at noon, the advance of the Second Corps came up with the enemy, three miles from Appomattox Court House. Meanwhile, Gen. Sheridan's cavalry had succeeded in getting beyond that point, on the 8th, and having reported the situation, with an urgent request for infantry support, the Fifth and Twenty-Fourth Corps, with one division of the Twenty-Fifth, arrived in position on the Lynchburg side of the enemy, who was now surrounded. Gen. Grant, in the meantime, had sent the following note to the Rebel General-in-Chief, there being "no relaxation in the pursuit:" Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A.: April 7th, 1865. GENERAL: The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate army known as the Army of Northern Virginia. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Ú. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General, To this the subjoined reply was received: April 7, 1865. To Lieut.-Gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding Armies of the United States: GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entirely of the opinion you express of the hopelessness of the further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and, therefore, considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender. R. E. LEE, General. The remainder of this memorable correspondence is as follows: GEN. GRANT TO GEN. LEE. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A.: April 8, 1865. GENERAL: Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking conditions on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just received. In reply, I would say that peace being my first desire, there is but one condition I insist upon, viz. : That the men surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms against tke Government of the United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. GEN. LEE TO GEN. GRANT. April 8, 1865. GENERAL: I received at a late hour your note of to-day, in answer to mine of yesterday. I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this army, but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desire to know whether your proposals would tend to that end. I can not, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia; but as far as your proposi tion may affect the Confederate States forces under my command, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet you at 10 A. M. to-morrow, on the old stage road to Richmond, between the picket lines of the two armies. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General, Confederate States Army. Lieut.-Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commanding United States Armies. GEN. GRANT TO GEN. LEE. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A.: April 9, 1865. GENERAL: Your note of yesterday is received. As I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed for 10 A. M. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am equally anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that desirable event, save thousands of human lives; and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. GEN. LEE TO GEN. GRANT. April 9, 1865. GENERAL: I received your note of this morning on the picket line, whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your proposition of yesterday. With reference to the surrender of this army, I now request an interview, in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General. Lieut.-Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commanding United States Armies. GEN. GRANT TO GEN. LEE. April 9, 1865. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate States Army: Your note of this date is but this moment, 11.50 A. M., received, in consequence of my having passed from the Rich mond and Lynchburg road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road. I am at this writing about four miles west of Walter's Church, and will push forward to the front for the purpose of meeting you. Notice sent to me on the road where you wish the interview to take place will meet me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. TERMS PROPOSED BY GEN. GRANT. APPOMATTOX C. H., April 9, 1865. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A.: In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th inst., I propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate; one copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take arms against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regimental commander to sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be packed and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside. Very respectfully, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. GEN. LEE'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS. April 9, 1865. Lieut.-Gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding United States Armies: GENERAL: I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th inst., they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |