The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-04-09
commanding south of Petersburg and after a

commanding south of Petersburg, and after
severe struggle captured them.
Lee now determined to abandon Petersburg
and Richmond, and notified the Confederate
authorities to that effect. There was but one
line of retreat, viz, up the Appomattox, parallel
with the Southside Railroad and westward to
the Danville line; but Grant had already made
disposition of his forces to prevent his antago-
nist's escape, and the Fifth Corps was already
at Sutherland's Station, on the Southside Rail-
road, 10 miles west of Petersburg and Sheridan
with his cavalry was at FOrds, 10 miles further
west. Lee commenced his evacuation on the
night of April 2, marched his forces rapidly
during the night in the direction of Chester
field Courthouse, On the north bank of the
Appomattox, and when the Union troops
entered Petersburg the next day he was Is
miles away. Lee actually hoped to make
successful retreat, to escape entirely from
Grants army, and to join Johnston.
PURSUIT OF LEE.
Grant, however, at once commenced vigor-
Gus pursuit, and when Lee reached Amelia
Courthouse and found that large supplies
of commisSary and quartermaster stores,
which he had ordered should meet him
there, had been taken on to Richmond,
he became paralyzed. He, however, kept
his march, having his wagon train and Ewelps
Corps captured by Sheridan on the 9th, and on
the Sth Sheridan, who had reached App0mattoX
Station on lue uSe niles
south of AppomattOx Courthouse, captured
four trains of cars loaded with supplies for the
starving Confederates, drove the rear-guard of
Lees army back to Appomattox Courthouse
and planted his own force directly in front of
Lee and on his line of retreat. Lee next morn
ing attempted to cut his way through Sheri-
dams lines but that officer, who had been re-
enforced by the Army of the James, and who
had personally arrived at Appomattox Station
directed his cavalry to fall back, gradually re-
sisting the enemy so as to give the infantry
time to form. This was DONE and when the
Confederates saw the advancing bayonets they
began to give ground. Sheridan was just about
to charge the enemys left flank when white
flag appeared, and letter from Gen. Lee re-
questing a suspension of hostilities looking to
surrender and an interview with Gen. Grant.
SUMMONS TO SURRENDER.
Two days before Gen. Grant had addressed
to Gen. Lee the following communication:
April Z 1865
GENERAL: The result of the last week must con-
vince you of the hopeessness of further resistance
on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia IN
this struggle. feel that it is so, and regard it
my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of
any further effusion of blood by asking of you the
Army known as the Army OF Northern Virginia.
U. S. GRANT,
Gen. r. Z. LEE. Iieutenant-General.
To this on the same night Gen. Lee replied
as follows:
GENERAL: have received your note of this date.
Though not entertaining the opinion you express
on the hopelessness of further resistance on the
part of the Army of Northern Virginia, recipro-
cate your desire avoid useless eusion of blood
and, therefore, before considering your proposition
ask the terms you will offer ON condition OF its sur
render. r E. LEE,
Lieut.-Gen o. s. GRANT General
On the next day Gen. Grant continued the
correspondence, stating his terms:
April g. 1858.
GENERAL: Your note of last evening in reply to
mine of the same date asking the conditions on
which will accept the surrender of the Army of
Northern Virginia, is just received In reply l
would say that peace being my great desire, there
Is but one condition would insist upon, viz that
the men and officers surrendered shall be dsquali
fed for taking up arms again against the Govern
men of the United States until properly exchanged
will meet you, will designate officers to meet
any officers you might name for the same purpose,
at any point agreeable to you for the purpose of
arranging definitely the terms upon which the sur
render of the Army of Northern Virginia will be
received. U. s. GRANT,
Gen. X. E. LEE. Lieutenant-G General.
To this Gen. Lee sent the following reply:
April 8, 1868.
GENERAL: received at late hour your note of
to-day. In mine of yesterday / did not propose the
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia but to
ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, /
do not think the emergency has arisen to call for
the surrender of this army; but restoration of
peace should be the sole object of ALL desired to
know whether your proposals would lead to that
end. cannot therefore, meet you with q view to
surrender the Army of Northern Virginia but as
far your proposals may affect the Confederate
State forces under my command, and tend to the
restoration of peace, should be pleased to meet
you at 10 a m. tomorrow ON the old stage road to
Richmond, between the pcket-lines of the two
armies. K. Z. LEE,
Lieut. Gen. Z. S. GRANT. General.
This note: Grant received about midnight
and next morning he replied in these terms:
April 9, 1865
GENERAL: Your note of yesterday received. /
have authority to treat the subject of peace; the
meeting proposed for 10 a.. m to-day could lead to
no good / will state however, General that 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 under
stood. BY the South laying down their arms they
will hasten that most desirable event. save thou
sands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of
property not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that