now coming up. I wish you were here yourself. I feel confident of capturing the Army of Northern Virginia if we exert ourselves. I see no escape for Gen. Lee. I will send all my cavalry out on our left flank, except McKenzie, who is now on the right. (Signed) P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General. LETTER. AMELIA COURT HOUSE, April 5, 1865. DEAR BRAMMIA:-Our army is ruined, I fear. We are all safe as yet. Theodore left us sick. John Taylor is well; saw him yesterday. We are in line of battle this evening. Gen. Robert Lee is in the field near us. My trust is still in the justice of our cause. Gen. Hill is killed. I saw Murray a few moments since. Bernary Perry, he said, was taken prisoner, but may get out. send this by a negro I see passing up the railroad to Michlenburg. Love to all. Your devoted son, W. B. TAYLOR, Colonel. Sheridan now proceeded to put his cavalry out on the left flank, and the slight skirmishing which took place indicated the contest of the next day. Meanwhile the other corps of the army were approaching. On April 4th, Gen. Ord's column of the Army of the James, comprising two divisions of the 24th corps and one of the 25th corps, marched down the Cox's road from Sutherland's station, 10 miles west of Petersburg, on the Southside Railroad. Having separated from the main column, it moved on the direct road to Burkesville. Gen. Grant was with this force. After advancing along the railroad 15 miles, it encamped at night near Wilson's station. On the next day, the 5th, it advanced along the railroad to Black and White's, which it reached at 2 P. M. Thence it pressed forward, over good roads, to Nottaway Court House, 9 miles from Burkesville. Here the despatch of Gen. Sheridan was received by Gen. Grant, about 64 P. M., and the two divisions of the 24th corps were immediately pushed forward to Burkesville, which they reached at 11 P. M. The division of the 25th corps remained at Black and White's. Gen. Grant himself went to Jettersville. Of the 9th corps, two divisions on the 4th marched from Petersburg to Ford's station on the Southside Railroad, about 20 miles. On the 5th they advanced along the railroad to Wellsville, 41 miles from Petersburg, having in charge most of the army trains. On the next day, the 6th, they pressed forward, and arrived within 10 miles of Burkesville. On the night of the 5th, after the skirmishing of the cavalry with the enemy, the ariny lay in line of battle, facing substantially to the north. The cavalry division of Gen. Mackenzie was on the left, next the 2d corps of infantry, with the 5th and 6th still further to the right, and the cavalry division of Gen. Custar on the right flank. At daylight in the morning Gen. Meade moved the three corps along the railroad in the direction of Amelia Court House, but learning that the enemy were retreating toward Farmville, the nearest station west on the railroad to Lynchburg, he changed the direction of the 2d and 5th corps from a northerly to a northwesterly one, with the 2d corps in advance, moving on Deatonsville, and the 5th on its right. At the same time the 6th corps faced about and moved by the left flank, taking position on the left of the 2d. The cavalry were on the extreme left. The 6th corps in its movement struck the road running from Deatonsville to Burke's station, a little south of the former place. It found the 2d corps engaged with the enemy at the front and right, and the cavalry on the left. Moving down the road toward Burke's station about a mile, it turned sharp to the right and proceeded across toward a nearly parallel road, on which the enemy was moving, and along which they had a line of intrenchments thrown up. Gen. Seymour's division of the corps carried the road held by the enemy about 4 P. M., and then turned to the right and advanced down the road against strong resistance. Gen. Wheaton's division was brought in on the left of Gen. Seymour's, and both swept down the road two miles. The enemy were there found reformed on the opposite bank of a deep and difficult creek, from which they were driven half a mile. At all points the enemy were driven during the day, and Lieut.-Gen. Ewell, Gen. Custis Lee, and three others, were captured, with a large number of men. The 5th army corps made a long march, but its position on the right prevented it from striking the enemy's column before it had passed. The Union loss was above 1,000. Five guns and many flags, caissons, and wagons were taken, besides prisoners. On the next day, the 7th, the 2d corps, with the 2d division of cavalry, found the enemy at Farmville, 16 miles west of Burkesville. A sharp contest ensued, causing a loss of several hundred men, among whom was Gen. Smyth. Other troops were brought up, but before the enemy could be reëngaged he was on the retreat again. At High Bridge over the Appomattox, Gen. Lee crossed to the north side of the river, and two regiments sent by Gen. Grant to hold the bridge were captured by the cavalry of the enemy, and the bridge burned. The retreat of the enemy was now directly toward Lynchburg. The pursuit was made with great vigor, and stragglers were picked up at every step, and property dropped or partially destroyed by the enemy. During the day Gen. Grant addressed a letter to Gen. Lee, demanding a surrender of his army. On the 8th the enemy made most strenuous efforts, by hard marching, to extricate themselves; but at night they encountered Gen. Sheridan at Appomattox Court House, between themselves and Lynchburg. A sharp contest ensued, in which many of them were taken prisoners and their retreat checked. The 24th and 5th corps were in support of the cavalry, and during the night a strong position was taken across the main road, south of the enemy, the Appomattox River being on the north, and cutting him off from retreat in that direction. Early on the next morning Gen. Sheridan commenced a vigorous attack, and a warm engagement en sued until 9 A. M., when a flag of truce appeared in front of his line, with the information that hostilities had been suspended, in order to arrange terms of surrender. At this time Gen. Hancock was advancing, having left Winchester on April 4th, with a strong column, and moved up the Shenandoah valley for Lynchburg. Gen. Stoneman had already reached Boone, in North Carolina, in his march from East Tennessee, and would have aided in the capture of Gen. Lee's army if it had not surrendered. Gen. Sherman was also rapidly moving on Gen. Johnston in North Carolina, and cut off all possibility of his ultimately rendering any assistance to Gen. Lee. The letter of Gen. Grant, addressed to Gen. Lee on the 7th, as above mentioned, was as follows: April 7. peace should be the sole object of all, I desire to GEN. GRANT TO GEN. LEE. April 9. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commd' g Confederate States Armin; GENERAL:-Your note of yesterday is received. As I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed for 10 A. M. to-day, could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am equally anxious for peace with your self; and the whole North entertain the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms General R. E. Lee, Commander Confederate States they will hasten that most desirable event, save Armies: Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 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 further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer, on condition of its surrender. R. E. LEE, General. The following correspondence then ensued: April 8. To Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate States Army: GENERAL:-Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking the 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 that 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, To Lieut.-Gen. Grant, Commanding Armies of the GENERAL :-I received at a late hour your note of today, 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. But as the restoration of thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be Your obedient servant, GEN. LEE TO GEN. GRANT. April 9, 1865, 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 proposition of yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army. purpose. I now request an interview in accordance with the GEN. GRANT TO GEN. LEE. April 9. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commd'g Confederate States Armies: Your note of this date is but this moment (11:50 A. M.) received. In consequence of my having passed from the Richmond and Lynchburg road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road, I am at this and will push forward to the front for the purpose writing about four miles west of Walter's Church, of meeting you. interview to take place will meet me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THE TERMS APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, April 2. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commd' g Confederate States Armia ; In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender terms, to wit: of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer desig nated by me, the other to be retained by such officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take arms against the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regimental com mander sign a like parole for the men of their com mands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be packed 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 return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside. Very respectfully, U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-Gen. THE SURRENDER. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 9, 1865. Lieut.-Gen. U. S. Grant, Commd'g U. S. Armies: GENERAL:-I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by you; as they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, At 3 P. M. the terms of capitulation were signed, and the utmost gratification prevailed through the army. The following is the form of the personal parole given by all the officers of Gen. Lee's army: We, the undersigned, prisoners of war, belonging to the army of Northern Virginia, having been this day surrendered by Gen. R. E. Lee, commanding said army, to Lieut.-Gen. Grant, commanding the Armies of the United States, do hereby give our solemn parole of honor that we will not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or in any military capacity whatever against the United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter until properly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities. Done at Appomattox Court House, Va., this ninth day of April, 1865. This parole was countersigned as follows: The above officers (or officer) will not be disturbed by the United States authorities as long as they observe their parole, and the laws in force where they may reside. GEORGE H. SHARP, General Assistant Provost Marshal. The obligation of officers for the subdivisions under their command was as follows: I, the undersigned, commanding officer of do, for the within named prisoners of war, belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia, who have been this day surrendered by Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate States Army, commanding said army, to Lieut.-Gen. Grant, commanding Armies of the United States, hereby give my solemn parole of honor that the within named shall not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or in military or any capacity whatever, against the United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter, until properly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities. Done at Appomattox Court House, Va., this ninth day of April, 1865. The within named will not be disturbed by the United States authorities so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside. The surrender of Gen. Lee's army was fol lowed by the voluntary surrender of all the troops in Northeastern Virginia, including those in the Shenandoah valley. On the next day, the 10th, Gen. Lee issued the following farewell address to his army: General Order No. 9. HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 10, 1865. After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them, but holding that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would attend the continuation of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past vigor has endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of agreement officers and men can return to their homes and remain there until exchanged. 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 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. (Signed) R. E. LEE, General. No official statement has been made of the number of officers and men surrendered. It is estimated that the army of Gen. Lee on evacuating Richmond consisted of not far from fifty thousand men. Large numbers abandoned the army and returned home, besides the killed, wounded, and prisoners taken during the pursuit. At the time of the surrender his total force was not far from twenty thousand men, this included all branches of the service, and leaving an effective force less than fifteen thousand men. The number of muskets surrendered scarcely exceeded ten thousand, and about thirty pieces of artillery. The total captures of artillery during the battles and pursuit amounted to one hundred and seventy guns. There were about three hundred and fifty wagons surrendered. The War Department at Washington issued the following order on receiving the news of the surrender: WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., Į April 9-10 o'clock P. M. Ordered: That a salute of two hundred guns be fired at the headquarters of every army and department, and at every post and arsenal in the United States, and at the Military Academy at West Point, on the day of the receipt of this order, in commemoration of the surrender of Gen. R. E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia to Lieut.-Gen. Grant and the army under his command; report of the receipt and execution of this order to be make to the Adjutant-General, Washington. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. CHAPTER LI. March of Gen. Stoneman from East Tennessee to Salisbury-Advance of Gen. Sherman upon Raleigh-Gen. Johnston proposes a Conference-The Conference and Terms agreed upon-Rejected at Washington-Surrender of Gen. Johnston's Army-March of Gen. Wilson in North Alabama-Capture of Mobile-Surrender of Gen. Taylor's Army-Surrender of Gen. E. Kirby Smith-Disbandment of the Armies-Farewell of Gen. Sherman-Farewell of Gen. Grant-Capture of Mr. Davis-Amnesty Proclamation-Measures to establish Civil Governments in the States-List of Army Officers. THE cavalry column of Gen. Stoneman, already mentioned, as at Boone Court House, in North Carolina, at the time of the surrender of Gen. Lee, had left Knoxville, in East Tennessee, on March 10th. It struck the Central Railroad from Virginia to Tennessee at Wytheville and Christiansburg, in Virginia. Between these places thirty-three bridges were burned and twenty-five miles of the railroad destroyed. Thence it marched for Greensboro, in North Carolina, and on the 12th arrived at Grant's Creek, three miles from Salisbury. The enemy's line of defence for the town was on this creek, and defended by artillery and infantry. It was soon forced, with the capture of 14 guns and 1,104 prisoners. The town was occupied at 10 A. M., where the column remained for two days. During that time it destroyed four large cotton factories and 7,000 bales of cotton; four large magazines, containing 10,000 stand of small arms and accoutrements; 1,000,000 rounds of small arm ammunition, 1,600 rounds of fixed artillery ammunition, and 7,000 pounds of powder; 35,000 bushels of corn, 50,000 bushels of wheat, 160,000 pounds of cured bacon; 100,000 suits of gray uniforms and clothing, 250,000 army blankets, 20,000 pounds of harness-leather, 10,000 pounds of saltpetre, also a very large amount of sugar, salt, rice, and other stores, and medical supplies valued by the rebel medical directors at $100,000 in gold. In addition to the arsenals at Salisbury, establishments were fitted up, and, filled with machinery sent from Raleigh and Richmond, all of which was destroyed. Fifteen miles of railroad track and the bridges toward Charlotte were also destroyed. Thence Gen. Stoneman moved for the south side of the Catawba River and destroyed the railroad to the bridge, which was fatal to the armies of Lee and Johnston, who depended on that road for supplies and as their ultimate line of retreat. Meanwhile the army of Gen. Sherman had been rested and recruited at Goldsboro, North Carolina. The men were all reclad, the wagons reloaded, and a fair amount of forage accumulated preparatory for a march to destroy or capture the army of Gen. Johnston. On April 6th Gen. Johnston's army was in and about Smithfield, and was estimated at 35,000, infantry and artillery, and from 6,000 to 10,000 cavalry. At daybreak on the 10th, Gen. Sherman's army was in motion. Gen. Slocum took the two direct roads for Smithfield; Gen. How ard made a circuit to the right, feigning to move up the Weldon road in order to disconcert the enemy's cavalry, while Gens. Terry and Kilpatrick moved on the west side of the Neuse River to reach the rear of the enemy between Smithfield and Raleigh. Gen. Schofield followed Gen. Slocum in support. The enemy's cavalry were met within six miles of Goldsboro by all the columns protected by the usual rail barricades. At 10 A. M. on the 11th, the 14th corps entered Smithfield, and the 20th was close at hand. Gen. Johnston had retreated rapidly across the Neuse River, and having the aid of the railroad to lighten his trains, could retreat faster than the pursuit could be made. The bridge over the Neuse had been burned and the roads had become heavy by rain. At this time the news of Gen. Lee's surrender was received, and Gen. Sherman immediately dropped his trains and marched rapidly in pursuit, reaching Raleigh at 7 A. M. on the 13th, in a heavy rain. On the next day the cavalry pushed on to Durham station, the 15th corps followed as far as Morrisville station, and the 17th to John's station. By the 15th, although the rains were incessant and the roads almost impracticable, Gen. Slocum had the 14th corps near Martha's Vineyard, with a pontoon bridge laid across Cape Fear River at Avon's Ferry, the 20th corps, Gen. Mower commanding, being in support; Gen. Howard had the 15th and 17th corps stretched out on the roads toward Pittsboro, while Gen. Kilpatrick held Durham station and Capital Hill University. Gen. Johnston had retreated rapidly on the roads from Hillsboro to Greensboro, at which latter place he was. In this state of affairs Gen. Sherman received the following letter from Gen. Johnston: HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD, April 14, 1865. Major-General W. T. Sherman, Commanding United States Forces. GENERAL: The results of the recent campaigns in Virginia have changed the relative military condition of the belligerents. I am therefore induced to address you in this form the inquiry whether, in order to stop the further effusion of blood and devastation of property, you are willing to make a temporary suspension of active operations, and to communicate to Lieut.-Gen. Grant, commanding the Armies of the tion in regard to other armies, the object being to United States, the request that he will take like ac permit the civil authorities to enter into the needful arrangements to terminate the existing war. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. E. JOHNSTON, General To this Gen. Sherman replied as follows: HEADQ'RS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD, RALEIGH, N. C., April 14, 1865. Gen. J. E. Johnston, Commanding Confederate Army; GENERAL: I have this moment received your communication of this date. I am fully empowered to arrange with you any terms for the suspension of further hostilities as between the armies commanded by you and those commanded by myself, and will be willing to confer with you to that end. I will limit the advance of my main column to-morrow to Morrisville, and the cavalry to the University, and expect that you will also maintain the present position of your forces until each has notice of a failure to agree. That a basis of action may be had, I undertake to abide by the same terms and conditions as were made by Gens. Grant and Lee at Appomattox Court House, of the 9th instant, relative to our two armies, and, furthermore, to obtain from Gen. Grant an order to suspend the movements of any troops from the direction of Virginia. Gen. Stoneman is under my command, and my order will suspend any devastation or destruction contemplated by him. I will add that I really desire to save the people of North Carolina the damages they would sustain by the march of this army through the central or western parts of the State. I am, with respect, your obedient servant, W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General. At the same time Gen. Sherman addressed to the Secretary of War and Gen. Grant the following letter: HEADQ'ES MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD, RALEIGH, N. C., April 15, 1865. Gen. U. S. Grant and Secretary of War: I send copies of correspondence with Gen. Johnston to you, which I think will be followed by terms of capitulation. I will grant the same terms Gen. Grant gave Gen. Lee, and be careful not to complicate any points of civil policy. If any cavalry has retreated toward me, caution them to be prepared to find our work done. It is now raining in torrents, and I shall await Gen. Johnston's reply here, and will prepare to meet him in person at Chapel Hill. I have invited Gov. Vance to return to Raleigh, with the civil officers of his State. I have met exGovernor Graham, Messrs. Badger, Moore, Halden, and others, all of whom agree that the war is over, and that the States of the South must resume their allegiance, subject to the Constitution and Laws of Congress, and must submit to the National arms. The great fact was admitted and the details are of easy arrangement. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General. On the 16th the following despatch was sent to Gen. Kilpatrick, at Durham station, and delivered by him to Gen. Sherman : Major-General J. Kilpatrick, U. S. A. GENERAL: The General Commanding directs me to arrange for a meeting between himself and Maj.-Gen. Sherman. In accordance with these instructions, I beg to inquire when and where this meeting can most conveniently be had. I suggest ten (10) o'clock, A. M., to-morrow as the hour, and a point on the Hillsboro road, equidistant from the picket of your command and my own, as the place for the proposed meeting. I am, respectfully, yours, NED WADE HAMPTON, Lieutenant-General. The interview which followed with Gen. Johnston, five miles from Durham station, is thus reported by Gen. Sherman: "I agreed to meet Gen. Johnston in person at a point intermediate between our pickets on the 17th at noon, provided the position of the troops remained statu quo. I was both willing and anxious to consume a few days, as it would enable Col. Wright to finish our railroad to Raleigh. Two bridges had to be built and twelve miles of new roads made. We had no iron except by taking up the branch from Goldsboro to Weldon. Instead of losing by time I gained in every way, for every hour of delay possible was required to reconstruct the railroad to our rear and improve the condition of our wagon road to the front, so desirable in case the negotiations failed, and we be forced to make the race of near two hundred miles to head off or catch Johnston, then retreating toward Charlotte. At noon of the day appointed I met Gen. Johnston for the first time in my life, although we had been exchanging shots continually since May, 1863. Our interview was frank and soldier-like, and he gave me to understand that further war on the part of the Confederate troops was folly; that the 'cause' was lost, and that every life sacrificed after the surrender of Lee's army was the highest possible crime. He admitted the terms conceded to Gen. Lee were magnanimous and all he could ask; but he did want some general concessions that would enable him to allay the natural fears and anxieties of his followers, and enable him to maintain his control over them until they could be got back to the neighborhood of their homes, thereby saving the State of North Carolina the devastation inevitably to result from turning his men loose and unprovided on the spot, and our pursuit across the State. He also wanted to embrace in the same general proposition the fate of all the Confederate armies that remained in existence. I never made any concessions as to his own army or assumed to deal finally and authoritatively in regard to any other, but it did seem to me that there was presented a chance for peace that might be deemed valuable to the Government of the United States, and was at least worthy the few days that would be consumed in conference, and to push an enemy whose commander had so frankly and honestly confessed his inability to cope with me, were cowardly and unworthy the brave men I led. Inasmuch as Gen. Johnston the armies in Texas, we adjourned to the next did not feel authorized to exercise power over day at noon. "I returned to Raleigh, and conferred freely with all my general officers, every one of whom urged me to conclude terms that might accomplish so complete and desirable an end. All dreaded the necessary laborious march after a fugitive and dissolving army back toward Georgia, over the very country where we had toiled so long. There was but one opinion expressed, and, if contrary ones were entertained, they were withheld, or indulged in only by that class who shun the fight and the march, but are loudest, bravest, and fiercest when danger is past. "I again met Gen. Johnston on the 18th, and we resumed the conversation. He satisfied me then of his power to disband the rebel armies in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, |