The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-09
LEES SURRENDER.
The Correspondence Between General Grant
and the Confederate Chief.

The Correspondence Between General Grant
and the Confederate Chief.
The war between the States ended score of
years ago to-day. The sword of Lee was then
surrendered, and the remnants of his devoted
army gave up the liberty which they had de-
voted to the lost cause. The army of General
Sheridan had intercepted the confederates at
Appomattox Courthouse, and cut off the last
hope of retreat. General Hancock was moving
up his forces from Winchester, and General
Stoneman was also fastening to Grants assist
ance, while General Sherman had cut off all pos.
sibility of aid from General Johnston in North
Carolina. The great leader of the Confederacy
had no hope left, and made the surrender which
put an end to Southern dreams of independence
forever.
The correspondence which passed between the
chiefs of the two armies arranging the terms is
given fresh interest, not alone from this ami
versary and the illness Of General Grant, but
also from the recent statement of General Jubal
Early. 1t is in full as follows:
"Gen. R. E. Lee, Commander Confederate States
Armies:
"General-The result of the last week must
convince you of the hopelessness of further re-
sisaance on the part of the Army of Northern
Virginia in this struggle l 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 c. S. army known as the Army of
Northern Virginia.
'Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
u S. GRANT
Acknowledgment Commanding Armies of the
United States"
General Lee returned the following answer:
April 2, 1865.
ITO Lleutenant-general u. 8. Grant, Commanding
Armies of the United States:
General have received your note of this
date. Though not entirely of the opinion you
express of the hopeessness OF further resistance
on the part of the Army Of Northern Virginia. I
recprocate your desire to avoid further effusion
of blood, and, therefore, before considering your
proposition, ask the terms you will offer on con-
dition of its surrender r. E. LEE, General"
The following correspondence then ensued:
"APRIL g. 1865.
"To Gen. Il. L. Lee, Commanding Confederate States
General: Your note of last evening in re-
ply to mine of same date, asking the conditions
on which l will accept the surrender of the
Army of Northern Virginia is just received. In
reply would say that peace being my first de-
sire there is but one condition that must in
sist upon, viz:
"That the men surrendered shall be disquali-
fed for taking up arms against the government
of the United States, until properly exchanged.
l 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,
~. s. GRANT,
'Lieutenant-generaiC Commanding Armies of the
United States"
april g. 1865.
To Lieutenant General Grant. Commanding Armies
of the United states:
II received at a late hour your note of to-day,