GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL GRANT.
“Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, }
April 9, 1865. }
“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 inst., they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect.
“Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
“R. E. LEE, General.”
The national rejoicing over the capture of Lee’s army was, as may well be imagined, deep and general. Throughout the length and breadth of the land, thanksgiving to the God of battles—as of Peace—went up from the hearts of a whole people, happy in the rescue of the American Republic from division, and from the plague of human slavery.
The following documents were issued from the war office, at Washington, immediately after the great victory:
“War Department, }
“Washington, D. C., April 9—9:30 P. M. }
“Lieutenant-General Grant:—
“Thanks be to Almighty God for the great victory with which he has this day crowned you and the gallant armies under your command.
“The thanks of this Department, and of the government, and of the people of the United States—their reverence and honor have been deserved—will be rendered to you and the brave and gallant officers and soldiers of your army for all time.
“EDWIN M. STANTON,
“Secretary of War.”
“War Department, }
Washington, D. C., April 9—10 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 General R. E. Lee and the army of Northern Virginia to Lieutenant-General Grant and the army under his command; report of the receipt and execution of this order to be made to the Adjutant-General, Washington.
“EDWIN M. STANTON,
“Secretary of War.”