The strife lasted but a few days longer. General Lee retreated as fast as possible up the north bank of the Appomattox, and Grant followed on the south side. Lee was pressing forward to reach Burkesville, confident that by so doing he could make a successful retreat and a prolonged campaign. Grant hotly pursued him, and by the 4th had gained a commanding position half way between Burkesville and Amelia Court House-thus effectually preventing a retreat in that direction. The Confederate Army was now at Grant's mercy-it could not escape. General Lee now turned to escape by way of Lynchburg, and reach the mountains beyond. At Sailor's Creek a severe battle was fought between Ewell and Sheridan, supported by the Sixth Corps, resulting in the overwhelming defeat and capture of the former, with six thousand men. On the 7th, General Grant, anxious to save further effusion of blood, addressed the following dispatch to Lee: "APRIL 7, 1865. "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 I 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,' "GEN. R. E. LEE." "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. The next morning, before leaving his headquarters, he received the following reply: "APRIL 7, 1865. "GENERAL:-I 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, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and there. fore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender. "LIEUT.-GEN. U. S. GRANT." “R. E. LEE, General. General Grant at once forwarded the following reply: "APRIL 8, 1865. "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. I will meet you, or will 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. "GEN. R. E. LEE." "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Sheridan had secured a strong position at Appomattox Station, where he captured four heavily-laden trains for Lee's army. He pushed on toward Appomattox Courthouse, striking Lee's advance, capturing twenty-five guns, a hospital train, wagons, and many prisoners. He was now directly across the line of Lee's retreat, and was strongly supported by infantry. The Union lines were prepared, and the order was about to be given, to charge the Confederates, when a horseman was seen advancing from the enemy's lines bearing a white flag, asking for a truce until a surrender could be completed. At two o'clock in the afternoon of Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865, the two generals met each other in the parlor of Wilmer McLean's residence, at Appomattox Court House. The two officers shook hands courteously, and engaged in conversation. It was agreed that the Union commander should put his proposition in the form of a letter, to which MCLEAN'S HOUSE, WHERE LEE SURRENDERED. General Lee would return a formal answer. diately drew up the following memorandum: Grant imme "APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, VA., April 9, 1865. "GENERAL:-In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th inst., I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to-wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate; one copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the other to be retained by such other officer or officers as you may designate. 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 packed, and |