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 CITY POINT, VA., April 2, 1865-11 A. M. Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War: Dispatches frequently coming in. All going finely. Parke, Wright and Ord, extending from the Appomattox to Hatcher's Run, have all broken through the enemy's intrenched lines, taking some forts, guns and prisoners. Sheridan, with his own cavalry, Fifth Corps and part of the Second, is coming in from the west on the enemy's flank, and Wright is already tearing up the Southside railroad. A. LINCOLN. CITY POINT, VA., April 2, 1865—2 P. M. Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War: At 10.45 A. M., Gen. Grant telegraphs as follows: "Everything has been carried from the left of the Ninth Corps. The Sixth Corps alone captured more than 3,000 prisoners. The Second and Twenty-fourth Corps, both captured forts, guns and prisoners from the enemy, but I can not tell the numbers. We are now closing around the works of the line immediately enveloping Petersburg. All looks remarkably well. I have not yet heard from Sheridan." His headquarters have been moved up to T. Banks' house near the Boydton road, about three miles south-west of Petersburg. A. LINCOLN. Later in the day, the President telegraphed-sending some further details from Gen. Grant: All seems well with us, and everything quiet just now. A. LINCOLN. The news of the evacuation of Petersburg, and soon after, of the occupation of Richmond by Union troops, was received at Washington on the morning of the 3d of April. Expectation had been excited by the cheering dispatches of the previous day, and the decisive intelligence was not a surprise; yet never before was there witnessed at the National Capital any scene to be compared with the present spontaneous manifestations of joy. The streets were speedily filled; everybody was abroad, business was suspended, flags waved on every side, bands played national airs, batteries thundered in token of the universal delight. Processions visited the War Department. Vice 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, U. 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. April 8, 1865. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A. : 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 the 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 |