Experiencing History: Reliving the End of the Civil War, Moment by Moment: 4/8 part 2

The day was long and hard for both parties. Hear the words from one of the men who walked the grounds that very day: “This morning the troops are all astir early. The Johnnies left during the night, and none to be seen this morning. We ate a hasty breakfast and was soon on their trail like blood hounds…So on we go and no Johnnies in sight, but we find horses and mules given out and left by the road side, gun carriages stuck in the mud and wagons upset and broke down. All this denotes a little too much haste upon the part of our enemy and we are all in good spirits for the general belief is they are on their last legs…” ~ Daniel Chisholm

In the hasty activity, Lee took time to write this response to Grant:

“April 8th, 1865. General: I received at a late hour your note of to-day. In 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 of this army, but, as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desired to know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia; but as far as your proposal may affect the Confederate States forces under my command, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet you at 10 A.M. to-morrow on the old state road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two armies. R.E. Lee, General.”

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Sources: “Surrender at Appomattox, 1865,” EyeWitness to History, http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1997). The Civil War Notebook of Daniel Chilsholm: A Chronicle of Daily Life in the Union Army 1864-1865