Experiencing History: Reliving the End of the Civil War, Moment by Moment: 4/9 part 1

It’s Sunday morning, but both camps are on the move again. The ground is wet from the overnight showers and the bodies are tired, but, still, they continue. The Union presses closely until at last the Rebels form their lines. A severe battle looks certain…

Few on the field know anything about the message Grant sent to Lee at 5 am this morning. Grant suffers greatly from a headache and Lee’s reply is late in coming…

“April 9th, 1865.
General: Your note of yesterday is received. I have not 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, that I am equally desirous for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms, they would hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, etc.,
U.S. Grant, Lieutenant-General”

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Source: “Surrender at Appomattox, 1865,” EyeWitness to History, http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1997).