Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-01-19

tile following letter, in which Lee communi>
Gated to JEFF Davis the details of his closing
operations with the Army of Northern Vir>
gnia, and the particulars of his surrender at.
Appomattox:
NEAR APPoMATTOX g. II VA,
April II. 1865.
His ErceUency Jc6er$on DoU,s:
Mr.. PRESIDENT 1t is with pain that I
of the Army of Northern Virginia. The
operations which proceeded this result will be
reported in full. l will therefore onry' now
state that upon arriving at Amelia Court
House on the morning of the 4th. with the
advance OF the army, on the retreat from the
lines in front Of Richmond and Petersburg,
and not finding the supplies ordered to be
placed there, nearly twenty>four hours werc
lost in enGeavOring to collect in the country
subsistence for men and horses. This delay
was fatal, aud could not be retrieved The
troops, wearied by Optnued fighting and
marching for several days and nights. obtained
neither rest refrsshment, and on moving
on the 5rh, on the Richmond and DanviIlc
Railroad. ] found at Jetersville the enemy's
cavalry and learned the approach OF, his army
toward Burkevilc. This deprived us Of the
use of the railroad and rendered it imprac>
ticable to procure from Danville the supplies
ordered to meet us at points of our march
Nothing could be obtained from the adjacent
country. Our route TO the Roanoke was
therefore changed, and the march directed
upon Farmville, where supplies were ordered
from Lynchburg The change of route threw
the troops over the roads pursued by the
artillery and wagon-trains west of Tho railroad,
which impeded our advance and embarrassed
our movements. On the morning of the 9th
Gen. Longstreet's corps reached Rce's Station
GU the Lynchturg Railroad. 1t vas followed
by the commands Of Gems r. II. Anderson,
Ewcll,. and Gordon, with orders to close upon
it as fast as the progress of the trains would
permit, or they could be directed, on roads
further west. Gen. Anderson, commanding
Picket;'s aud 3 Il. JohnSou's divisions, bo-
come disconnected with Mahone's division
forming the rear Of Longstreet. The enemy's
cavalry penetrated the line of march through
the interval thus left, and attacked the wagon
train moving toward Farmvilie. This caused
serious delay in the march Of the centre and
rear Of the column, and euablcd the enemy TO
mass nYou their flank.
Afic- successive attacks, Andcrson's and
EwclHs corps were captured or driven from
their position. The latter general. with both
of his division commanders. Kcrshaw and
CARTS Lee. and his brigadiers, were taken
prisoners Gordon, who all the morning.
aided by Gen. W T. Lees cavalry, had checked
the advance Of the enemy on the road from
Amelia Springs. and protected the trains. be.
came exposed to his combined assaults. which
he bravcly resisted aud twice rcpuscd but
the cavalry havin" been withdrawn to another
part Of the line Of march, and the enemy mas
sing heavily on his front and both f,nks, re-
newed the attack about p. NJ, and drove
him from the field in much confusion The
army continued its march during the night,
and every effort was made to reOrganizo the
divisions which had been shattered hy the
days operations, but, the men being depressed
by fatigue and hunger, many threw away their
arms, while others followed the wagon trains
and embarrassed their progress. On the morn
ing of the 1th, ratiOns were issued to the
troons as they passed Farmville, hut The safety
OF the trains requiring their removal upon the
approach Of the enemy, all could not be sup>
Piled The army. reduced to two corps under
Lon.strcet and Gordon moved steadily on the
road to Appomnttox Court House, thence its
march was ordered by Campbell Court House,
through PittSylvania toward Danvlle. The
roads were wra;chrd and the progress slow
BY great efforts the head of tho column
reached Anrpomattox Court House on the
evening of the Sth and the troops were halted
for rest. The march ordered to be ro.
sumed at l a. NJ, on tic 9th. Fitz Lee
with tho cavalry, supported by Gordon, was
ordered to drive the enemy from his front,
wheel to the left and cover the passage OF the
trains, while Lopgstrect, who from Rice's
Station had formed. the rear guard, should
cl"sc up and hold the position. Two battaI>
lions Of artillery aud the ammunition wagons
Al, II
rest Of the artillery and Wagons to move toward
Lynchbnrg In the early part of the night
the enemy attacked Walkers artillery train
near Appoma',ox Station on the Lynchburg
Railroad, and were rcpellcd. Shortly after
ward their ca7alry dashed toward the Court
House, till halted by our line. During the
night there were indications of large force
massiug on our left aud front. Ftz Lee was
direc' cd to ascertain its strength, and to sus-
pend his advance till daylight if necessary
About a NJ. on the 9th, with Gordon on
his left he moved forward and opened the
way. A heavy force of the enemy was dis.
covered opposite Gordon's right, which, mov>
ing in the direction of Appomatsox Court
House, drove back the left Of the cavalry and
threatened to cut off Gordon from Longstrect,
his cavalry at the same time threatening to
envelop his left flank Gordon withdrew
across the APpomat,ox river, and the cavalry
advanced on the Lynchburg road aud became
separated from the army.
Learning the condition of affairs on the
lines were had gone, under the expectation
of meeting Cen Grant, to learn definitely the
terms he proposed in communication re-
ceived from him on the 9th, in the event o.
the surrender of the-army. requested sus.
pension of host'lities until these terms could
be arranged. In the interview which oc,
Cured with General Grant. in compliance
with my request, terms having been agreed
on. I surrendered that portion of the Amy