The Sunset of the ConfederacyThis outstanding account, written by a sympathetic Union officer and witness to the Civil War's denouement, covers the last days and downfall of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia (led by the indomitable Robert E. Lee), from the fall of Richmond to Appomattox. Morris Schaff focuses largely on the Confederate Army's dramatic retreat and surrender in March and April, 1865, when Lee himself was compelled to admit defeat. Written in the form of letters, Schaff writes a first hand account of the people, places, and events that changed the course of history. |
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Common terms and phrases
A. P. Hill Amelia Court-House Appomattox Station Army of Northern artillery asked batteries battle bivouac blooming brigade Burkeville Bushrod Johnson camp-fires captured cavalry Chaffin's Bluff cheers Colonel colors column command Confederacy Confederate Crook crossed Custer Danville Davis dispatch division enemy Ewell eyes face Farmville field Fifth corps fire Fitz Lee Five Forks flag followed front gallant Gettysburg Gordon Grant Griffin guns head headquarters hear heard heart High Bridge hope horses hour Humphreys infantry Jetersville Lee's army Longstreet look Lynchburg Lynchburg road Mahone McLean house Meade Meade's Meanwhile miles morning moving night North Northern Virginia o'clock officers old army Ord's orders peace Petersburg Pickett Potomac reached rear regiment Rice's Station Richmond Rienzi river rode Sailor's Creek says sent Sheridan Sixth corps soldier soon spirit staff stood surrender told trains tree troops wagons West Point woods
Popular passages
Page 247 - 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 proposal 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.
Page 166 - April 8, 1865. GENERAL R. £. LEE, COMMANDING CSA Your note of last evening in reply to mine of same date, asking the condition 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 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 against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged.
Page 266 - 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...
Page 227 - GENERAL: Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking the condition 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 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.
Page 245 - AM, 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 most desirable...
Page 166 - I would say, that 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. I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name...
Page 292 - 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 increasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell. RE LEE, General.
Page 150 - 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 States army known as the army of Northern Virginia.
Page 15 - I regret to be obliged to state that under these circumstances, heightened by assaults and fire of the enemy, some of the men had been without meat for three days, and all were suffering from reduced rations and scant clothing, exposed to battle, cold, hail, and sleet.
Page 226 - Then there is nothing left me but to go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths.