April 7, 1865

The life of the Army of Northern Virginia is nearing its end by April 7. The following important events during the Appomattox Campaign have come to pass by this date:

• Amelia Court House
  Before midday on April 4, Robert E. Lee arrives at Amelia Court House. Lee’s men are hungry. His army needs rations and provisions, Lee is expecting supplies to be waiting at Amelia Court House. Unfortunately for Lee’s needy men plans did not work out. There are no supplies waiting for the Confederates at Amelia Court House. The failure to obtain supplies is a severe blow to the hopes of the Army of Northern Virginia.

• Sayler’s Creek (also known as Sailor’s Creek)
  On April 6, cavalry under Major General Philip Sheridan and corps of infantry under Major General Horatio Wright and General Andrew Humphreys force the surrender of approximately a quarter of Robert E. Lee’s army. The Union victory at Sayler’s Creek is the death knell of the Army of Northern Virginia. Confederate Generals who surrender at Sayler’s Creek are; Richard S. Ewell, Joseph Kershaw, Custis Lee, Dudley DuBose, Eppa Hunton, and Montgomery Corse.

As General Robert E. Lee saw survivors of Sayler’s Creek walking along a road he said; “My God, has the army dissolved? ”

On April 7, the following communications were passed between the lines by General Ulysses Grant and General Robert E. Lee. Grant is asking Lee to consider surrender. Lee wants to know what Grant’s terms would be…

Ulysses S. Grant

HEADQUARTERS, ARMIES OF THE U. S.

5 P. M., April 7th, 1865

GENERAL R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A.:

The results 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 States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General

Robert E. Lee

April 7th, 1865

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT,

Commanding Armies of the U. S.

GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express of 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 therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender.

R.E. LEE, General