556

LEE'S WAY OF ESCAPE CLOSING.

upon a body of Confederate infantry guarding a train and was repulsed with the loss of General Gregg, commanding a brigade, who was captured.

Just after the repulse of General Miles, Lee received a note from Grant, dated at Farmville, that morning, in which he said: "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 States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia." To this Lee replied: "Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and, therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender." After dispatching this note to Grant, Lee resumed his retreat so silently, under cover of darkness, that his departure was not known to the Nationals until morning, when the Confederates had put many miles between themselves and their pursuers.

April, 1865.

Grant did not receive Lee's reply until the morning of the 8th," when he instantly dispatched a response, saying, "Peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, namely, that the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States, until properly exchanged." He then proposed to meet Lee in person, or to delegate officers to meet such as Lee might appoint, for the purpose of definitely arranging the terms of surrender.

Almost simultaneously with the forwarding of this dispatch, Grant set his whole army in motion, in pursuit of the flying Confederates. The Second and Sixth Corps, under Meade (who was accompanied by the General-inchief), moved directly on their track, north of the Appomattox, skirmished with the rear-guard of Lee's forces, and unsuccessfully tried to bring on a general engagement. Sheridan, meanwhile, had pushed on with all his cavalry (Crook having recrossed the river), on the south side of the Appomattox, to gain some point in front of Lee, and oppose his march on Lynchburg. In that direction Lee was hurrying, along the narrowing neck of land between the head-waters of the Appomattox and small tributaries of the James. If Sheridan should reach his front, and close this only outlet to Lynchburg, all would be lost. To pass that perilous point, Lee was now putting forth all his energies, and while in that desperate situation, hoping against hope that he might find refuge among the ranges of the Blue Ridge, beyond Lynchburg, the Confederate generalissimo sent back to Grant a reply to the LieutenantGeneral's note of that morning, saying: "In 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 emergenhas arisen to call for the surrender of this army; but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desired to know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I can not, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia; but as far as your proposal 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,

cy

LEE'S LAST EFFORT TO ESCAPE.

557

on the old stage road to Richmond, between the picket lines of the two

armies."

a

* April 8, 1865.

General Grant received Lee's note at near midnight," and the next morning replied that he had "no authority to treat on the subject of peace," and that the proposed meeting could lead to no good. He said that he and the whole North were equally as anxious for peace as Lee, and added: "The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms, they will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed." He closed by the expres sion of a hope that all difficulties might be settled without the loss of a single life. Sheridan, in the mean time, had settled the question, and rendered further parley unnecessary, by utterly extinguishing Lee's hopes. By a forced march of about thirty miles, his advance, under General Custer, had reached Appomattox Station, on the Lynchburg railroad, and captured four trains of cars, laden with supplies for Lee's starving army, whose vanguard was just then approaching. These Custer, supported by Devin, pushed back to Appomattox Court-House, five miles northward, near which was Lee's main body, capturing twenty-five guns, a hospital train, a large number of wagons, and many prisoners. Sheridan hurried forward the remainder of his command to the support of Custer, and on the evening of the 8th he stood directly across the pathway of the flying Confederates, with a determination to hold Lee in check there until morning, when the detachment of the Army of the James also, with the corps under Griffin, would be upon his front, and most of the Army of the Potomac on his rear. He had closed Lee's last avenue for escape.

Lee now saw that his

only hope was in cutting his way successfully through Sheridan's line. This he attempted at daybreak." Of April 9. all the grand Army of Northern Virginia, which menaced the National Capital a year before, not quite ten thousand effective men were now in arms. These composed two thin battle lines, consisting of the remains of Gordon' (Hill's) command and the wreck of Longstreet's corps. Lee directed the former to cut through at all hazards. The charge was made with such impetuosity, that Sheridan's men, who had dismounted to meet the attack, were forced back. Sheridan had just reached Appomattox Station, whither he had gone to hasten forward the Army of the James. He at once sent orders for his troops to gradually fall back, but to continually offer resistance, until the wearied and foot-sore infantry could come up and form in battle-line under their cover. The whole maneuver was well performed, when the cavalry, moving swiftly to the right, revealed to the dismayed Confederates a solid phalanx of men armed with muskets and glittering bayonets. Appalled, the Confederates staggered back in a recoil. Sheridan's bugles had sounded the order to remount, and in a few minutes his horsemen were on the left of the stunned and confused remnant of Lee's army, ready to charge, when a white flag appeared, in token of surrender, before the van of the troopers held by Custer. Sheridan rode to Appomattox Court-House, where he was met by Gordon with the information that Grant and Lee were then making arrangements for a surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.

558

1865.

LEE CAPITULATES.

Grant, after sending Lee his note, written that morning," had left Meade, crossed the Appomattox, and was hurrying on to join Sheridan April 9, and Griffin, when he was handed a letter from the Confederate leader, in which he said: "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 proposal of yesterday, with reference to the surrender of this army. I now ask an interview, in accordance with an offer contained in your letter of yesterday, for that purpose." Grant sent Lee word that he assented to his request, and arrangements were made for the interview in the parlor of the neat brick dwelling of Wilmer McLean,'

at Appomattox Court-House. There the two commanders met, with courteous recognition, at two o'clock on Palm Sunday, the 9th of April. Grant was accompanied only by his chief aid, Colonel Parker. Lee was attended by Colonel Marshall, his adjutant-general. The terms of surrender were discussed and settled. They were put in the form of a written proposition by Grant, and a written acceptance by Lee. They were engrossed, and at about half-past three o'clock were signed on a neat mahogany center-table, with a marble top, delineated in the annexed engraving.

F

CAPITULATION TABLE.

The terms prescribed by Grant were most extraordinary, under the cir cumstances, for their leniency and magnanimity. They simply required Lee and his men to give their parole of honor that they would not take up arms against their Government, until regularly exchanged; gave to the officers their side-arms, baggage, and private horses, and pledged the faith of the Government that they should not be punished for their treason and rebel

1 It is a curious fact that Mr. McLean, whose residence, at the beginning of the war, was on a portion of the battle-field of Bull Run, and who had left that region for another that promised more quiet, was again disturbed by the clash of arms at the close of the war. See note 1, page 589, volume I.

LEE'S FAREWELL ADDRESS.

559

lion, so long as they should respect that parole and be obedient to law.' Grant even went so far, in his generosity, at Lee's suggestion, that he gave instructions to the proper officers to allow such cavalrymen of Lee's army as owned their horses, to retain them, as they would, he said, need them for tilling their farms.

Lee professed to be touched by this leniency and magnanimity of his conqueror, who represented his deeply injured country; yet, on the following day, in disregard of that generosity, and with a feeling of perfect security under the protection of a promise made in the name of his Government, which had ever been kind and just to himself and his kindred, he issued a farewell address to his army, which no right-minded and right-hearted man would care to imitate under like circumstances. Under the disguise of very guarded language, he told his soldiers, in effect, that in taking up arms against their country, and trying to destroy the Republic, in whose government they had always shared, they had done a patriotic act, and for which they would take with them "the satisfaction that proceeds from consciousness of duty faithfully performed;" therefore, he invoked God's blessing upon their acts. He gave them to understand that they had no “country "no Government to which their allegiance was due, excepting the territory and rule, over which, for four years, the Conspirators had held sway; and he spoke of his "unceasing admiration" of their "constancy and devotion" to that "country," which had "endeared them to their countrymen." They were instructed, in that address, to consider themselves unfortunate patriots who had "been compelled to yield to the overwhelming numbers and resources" of a tyrannical and unjust Government. His words were treasured, in memory and feeling. That farewell address was afterward beautifully lithographed, in Baltimore, with a portrait of Lee at its head, surrounded by Confederate flags, and a fac-simile of his signature at its foot; and it became a cherished document and ornament in the houses of the enemies of the Re

The following is the text of the Capitulation:

"APPOMATTOX COURT-HOUSE, VA., April 9, 1865. "GENERAL-In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th instant, I propose to receive 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

A.1. Grant

19 Edee

such other officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up 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 parked 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 his home, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they reside.

"U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General

"HEAD-QUARters, Army of NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 9, 1865. GENERAL-I received your letter of this date, containing the terms of the 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 instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect. R. E. LEE, General,

"Lt.-General U. S. GRANT."

560

SURRENDER OF LEE'S ARMY.

public. "By that warrant," these people said, substantially, to the writer, we will attempt to regain the 'Lost Cause.""

April, 1865.

When terms of surrender were agreed upon, the starving Confederate soldiers were fed from the National stores; and on Wednesday, the 12th," they were marched by divisions to an appointed place, near Appomattox Court-House, where they stacked their arms and accouterments, and the private soldiers and warrant officers received their paroles. So the Army of Northern Virginia disappeared. The kindness of the Government followed the offending ones, even to their homes, transportation and food for their journey being afforded to large numbers of them. The victorious army all returned to Burkesville Station (excepting the infantry of Gibbon and Griffin, and McKenzie's cavalry, who were left at Appomattox CourtHouse until the business of the surrender was finished), and thence, a few days later, they moved on to Petersburg and Richmond. General Grant and his staff left for City Point on the 11th, leaving General Meade to attend to the details of the surrender. It was exactly a fortnight from the time when Grant broke up head-quarters at City Point, to enter upon the spring campaign, until his return there, with the campaign ended, and the war substantially closed. Lee had started on that campaign with about sixty-five thousand men. He went back to Richmond alone; and for a month, he and his family were kindly supplied with daily rations from the National commissariat there. The announcement of the great victory had been sent over the land by the Secretary of War, together with thanks to Grant and his soldiers;

1 The following is a copy of Lee's Farewell Address:

"GENERAL Orders,

No. 9.

"HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY Northern VIRGINIA, APPOMATTOX C. H., April 10, 1865.

3

"After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing to compensate for the loss that must have attended a continuation of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell." 2 Lee lost, during the movements of his army, from the 26th of March to the 9th of April, about 14,000 killed and wounded, and 25,000 made prisoners. The remainder, who were not present at the surrender, had deserted on the retreat. The number of men paroled, was about 26,000, of whom not more than 9,000 had arms in their hands. About 16,000 small-arms were surrendered; 150 cannon; 71 colors; about 1,100 wagons and caissons, and 4,000 horses and mules.

3 The Secretary wrote: "Thanks be to Almighty God for the great victory with which He has this day crowned you and the gallant armies under your command! The thanks of this Department and of the Government, and of the people of the United States-their reverence and honor have been deserved-will be rendered to you and the brave and gallant officers and soldiers of your army, for all time."

Those of the grateful people who could know and appreciate the marvelous and patriotic services of the Secretary of War, during the struggle, were then, and ever will be ready to make him an equal sharer with the generals of the army, in their honor and reverence. General Hancock paid a just tribute to the worth of that able Minister, when he said, in a speech at the New England Dinner, in New York, in December, 1865: "Much credit has been given to the army; praise without stint has been given by a grateful people to its generals. We have had many generals, among whom the honors have been divided, and whose fame will live in more enduring form than in wreaths of laurel, but during the period of our greatest perils, we have had but one Minister of War, and during his administration, substantial victories crowned our arms. One who has been unequaled in furnishing the means of war, and placing them in the hands of our generals; one who has rivaled Carnot in all that is accorded to him for preparation; one who never faltered, however dark the hour. And shall we not honor him? I know him to be generous and mindful of faithful service. Among the people I predict an increasing tide of popularity in his favor, and that he will be one of those whom the country will delight to honor-Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. A model for a War Minister, in momentous times: wise, firm, fruitful of resources, patriotic, incorruptible. To him a nation's gratitude is due."