CHAPTER II.
Official Correspondence Concerning the Surrender—The Interview Between Generals Lee and Grant—Appearance of General Lee—Scenes Between the Two Armies Under Flag of Truce—The Surrender—General Lee’s Farewell Address to His Army.
While the pursuit of Lee’s army by Grant’s overwhelming forces was still in progress, the following correspondence ensued between the two commanders:
April 7th, 1865.
General R. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate States Army:
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 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 southern army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT,
Lieut. General Commanding Armies of the United States.