Grant The Forgotten Hero

by Charles Henry Vessey

  U. S. GRANT,

  Lieutenant-General. 2

  At 4 A.M., the morning of April 3rd, General Parke succeeded in penetrating the remaining Confederate works around Petersburg. By 4:30 A.M., the city surrendered. Also, about 8:15 A.M., General Weitzel captured Richmond. The rebels set the city ablaze before departing so Weitzel's forces were busied trying to extinguish the flames.

  At 9 A.M., General Grant entered Petersburg after issuing orders for the pursuit of the enemy. He made his temporary headquarters on the porch of a house and waited for the President to arrive. Before long the President arrived, escorted by both sons, Robert and Tad, and by Admiral Porter. Lincoln seized Grant's hand and shook it with zeal. Lincoln was effuse in his praise of the general and his troops. He then said: "Do you know, general, I had a sort of sneaking idea all along that you intended to do something like this; but I thought some time ago that you would so maneuver as to have Sherman come up and be near enough to cooperate with you." 3 "Yes," replied the general; "I thought at one time that Sherman's army might advance far enough to be in supporting distance of the Eastern armies when the spring campaign against Lee opened; but I had a feeling that it would be better to let Lee's old antagonists give his army the final blow, and finish up the job. If the Western troops were even to put in an appearance against Lee's army, it might give some of our politicians a chance to stir up sectional feeling in claiming everything for the troops from their own section of country. The Western armies have been very successful in their campaigns, and it is due to the Eastern armies to let them vanquish their old enemy single-handed." 4 "I see, I see," said Mr. Lincoln; "but I never thought of it in that light. In fact, my anxiety has been so great that I didn't care where the help came from, so that the work was perfectly done." 5 "Oh," General Grant continued, "I do not suppose it would have given rise to much of the bickering I mentioned, and perhaps the idea would not have occurred to any one else. I feel sure there would have been no such feeling among the soldiers. Of course I would not have risked the result of the campaign on account of any mere sentiment of this kind. I have always felt confident that our troops here were amply able to handle Lee." 6

  The above conversation is another example of how historians have distorted the character of Ulysses S. Grant. How could a blood-thirsty, war-monger ever show this kind of sensitivity, especially 150 years before the day of political correctness? According to the textbook writers, Grant was incapable of demonstrating such feelings after all legend has it that he cared more for animals than his men. The obvious answer is that the legend, once again, has been disproved.

  Before long, the meeting broke up with Lincoln heading back to City Point and Grant heading west to join his troops. Grant's primary objective was to reach Burkeville ahead of Lee's army. If Lee's army was to reach Johnston, he would have to pass through Burkeville, where the Richmond and Danville Railroad intersected the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railroad. If Grant could reach that point before Lee he could cut him off from heading south. Lee had for so long enjoyed the advantage of interior lines, but now the advantage belonged to Grant.

  On April 3rd, Grant evidenced his intentions in the following dispatches. To Ord: "Efforts will be made to intercept the enemy, who are evidently pushing for Danville. Push south - west with your command." 7 To Sheridan: "It is understood that the enemy will make a stand at Amelia court-house.....The first object of present movement will be to intercept Lee's army, the second to secure Burksville. I have ordered the railroad to be put in order up to the latter place." 8 And to Sherman he wrote: "It is my intention to take Burksville. The railroad from Petersburg can soon be put in order." 9

  The various Union contingents marched according to Grant's orders. Sheridan’s forces lead the pursuit following the south bank of the Appomattox River. He was followed by Griffin with the 5th Corps, then Meade with Humphreys and the 2nd Corps and Wright with his 6th Corps. Bringing up the rear was the 9th Corps. General Ord and his Army of the James marched along the Southside Railroad headed directly for Burkeville. Grant and his staff arrived at Sutherland's Station where they spent the night along with General Meade.

  The Union armies got little rest that night as they were up and on the road at 3 A.M., on April 4th. The National troops were determined to maintain their grip on their old nemesis. On the 3rd, they witnessed many desertions and captured many of the enemy. It was clear Lee's army was demoralized and rapidly deteriorating.

  On April 4th, Sheridan's cavalry and the lead elements of the 5th Corps arrived at Jetersville about six miles south of Amelia Court House where the Army of Northern Virginia had stopped. Lee had previously sent instructions to Danville to have 200,000 rations meet him at Amelia Court House. It must have been most disheartening for General Lee to see Union forces blocking the railroad and cutting him off from his much needed supplies. Instead of pushing through the meager Federal force at Jetersville to secure the rations, he went into bivouac at Amelia Court House and sent his men out to forage. His army had now been on the march for 36 hours on only one issue of rations. Lee's fate was sealed as his last chance to escape evaporated.

  The evening of April 4th, Grant spent at Wilson's Station on the Southside Railroad. Sheridan entrenched across the railroad at Jetersville and placed Griffin's corps in place to repel any attack Lee might make. Meanwhile, he sent Meade a request for him to move his infantry as fast as possible to Jetersville. Meade, who had been very ill riding most of the way from Petersburg in an ambulance, responded in a most intrepid manner. He realized that time was of the essence and was willing to waive all rank to Sheridan. He immediately issued orders to resume the march at 3 A.M., on April 5th and exhorted his army to action with a stirring speech contained in his orders. He also sent word to Sheridan telling him whatever he wanted, Meade would provide. At 10:45 P.M., Meade sent word to Grant of the situation and all efforts being made to comply with Sheridan's desires.

  Between 1 and 2 A.M., Humphreys moved out followed at 3 A.M., by Wright's corps. Both corps moved without rations. Grant received Meade's dispatch before dawn on the 5th. He appreciated Meade's maximum efforts and acknowledged such in his response bringing him up to date on the status of the various groups. All day on the 5th, Grant rode with General Ord's troops. During the day, Meade's army assembled at Jetersville. Meade, being sick, asked Sheridan to position the troops for battle. Sheridan discovered that Lee appeared to be making preparations to leave which prompted Sheridan to urge an immediate attack, but Meade, feeling somewhat better, resumed command and decided against an attack until the Sixth Corps was in position.

  Sheridan, chafing under the delay, and fearing Lee's escape, sent a dispatch to Grant requesting his presence at Jetersville. Grant received this message halfway between Nottaway court-house and Burkeville at 6 P.M., on April 5th. Grant had been in the saddle since early morning, but hesitated only long enough to mount a fresh horse and he was off cross-country to Jetersville some twenty miles distant. By ten that night, he arrived at Sheridan's camp. Sheridan convinced Grant that Lee was trying to escape, so at midnight, Grant paid a visit to Meade. After conferring with Meade, Grant reversed Meade's orders for his attack at dawn and gave instructions for the army to move at daylight. Grant spent what remained of the night at Jetersville after having been up for almost 24 hours.

  As Grant and Sheridan suspected, Lee moved his army during the evening of April 5th. Lee's army reached Sailor's Creek on the morning of April 6th, but here he had to halt while his artillery and trains crossed. Lee's army, by now, was very haggard due to lack of sleep and food.

  With the morning not too far gone, Humphreys and the Second Corps fell upon Lee's rear near Deatonsville. Before long, Sheridan's cavalry also became engaged nipping at Lee's flank. At 4 P.M., Wright's corps began to arrive on the scene and Sheridan ordered them to attack without waiting for the entire corps. The Sixth Corps drove this part of Lee's army two miles until they reached Sailor's Creek where they threw up hurried fortifications. Wright's cor
ps brazenly charged across the creek. Before long the enemy counterattacked. Finally, the Nationals surrounded the Confederates taking over 7000 prisoners, including six generals, and capturing 14 guns. Lee's entire rear guard had been demolished.

  The evening of April 6th, found the Army of Northern Virginia almost entirely surrounded. Ord was across his front, Humphreys and Griffin were on his rear, while Sheridan and Wright were along his flank. The only direction which remained open for Lee was to head toward Farmville.

  It was late in the evening when Grant arrived at Burkeville for the night. He wrote dispatches well into the early morning hours directing the army toward the last remaining outlet open for Lee.

  Early on the 7th of April, Lee moved out heading for Farmville, eluding Ord's Army of the James, but Grant was right on his heels. Sheridan started before daylight and when he discovered Lee had evaded the Army of the James sent two divisions south and west through Prince Edward Court House attempting to cut off Lee's advance.

  Late on the 6th of April, Grant received information indirectly from the captured General Ewell, that most of the Confederates felt their cause was lost. Indeed, from here on out, Ewell felt any killing would be little more than murder. General Grant also heard from Sheridan on the 7th that there was a trainload of supplies awaiting Lee at Appomattox. Sheridan set out immediately to capture the supplies.

  Based on his knowledge of the current state of the rebel army, Grant decided to write General Lee a letter asking him to surrender. Grant arrived in Farmville early in the day on April 7th, and at 5 P.M., penned a letter to Lee.

  HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE U. S.,

  5 P.M., April 7, 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,

  Lieut.-General. 10

  Grant decided to spend the night in Farmville hoping to receive a positive response to his solicitation from General Lee. General Seth Williams was sent with the correspondence to deliver it along General Humphreys' front.

  Lee promptly replied to Grant's letter, but Grant did not receive it until after midnight.

  April 7, 1865.

  GENERAL:--I have received your note of this day. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on 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.

  LIEUT.-GENERAL U. S. GRANT,

  Commanding Armies of the U. S. 11

  Grant was not satisfied with Lee's response. He had hoped Lee would just accept defeat and put an end to the bloodshed, but such was not the case. Nevertheless, Grant felt Lee's response required another letter on his part, so on the morning of April 8th, before leaving Farmville, he penned the following letter to Lee and gave it once again to General Williams for delivery.

  April 8, 1865.

  GENERAL R. E. LEE,

  Commanding C. S. A.

  Your note of last evening in reply to mine of same date, asking the condition on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia is just received. In reply I would say that, peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, namely: that the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified from taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the same purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received.

  U. S. GRANT

  Lieut.-General. 12

  In the above letter, Grant manifested great compassion. Obviously willing to have Lee forego the embarrassment of any formal surrender, he delicately offered Lee the opportunity to have one of his representatives meet to finalize the instruments of surrender.

  Before he left Farmville on the morning of the 8th, Grant issued additional instructions to both Ord and Sheridan. On this day he traveled with General Meade and his command. By the afternoon Grant began suffering from a severe migraine headache surely brought upon by a lack of sleep and stress.

  During the day, Sheridan's cavalry pushed on for Appomattox Station in an effort to intercept Lee's supplies. He was closely followed by Ord's command and the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Late in the evening of April 8th, Sheridan's force arrived at Appomattox Station where they captured four trainloads of supplies for Lee's army in addition to 25 pieces of artillery.

  Meanwhile, Grant's headquarters were established at Curdsville on the evening of April 8th. He tried a number of home remedies to relieve his headache, but nothing worked.

  Finally, after midnight, Lee's response to Grant's latest letter arrived.

  "April 8, 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 ten A.M. tomorrow on the old stage-road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two armies.

  "R. E. LEE, General.

  "LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT." 13

  Grant was taken aback by Lee’s letter because he thought he was about to conclude the surrender and Lee pulled the rug out from under him. Grant was dismayed that Lee apparently had opted to continue in his futile efforts to reach Johnston. Grant wanted the needless bloodshed to end. With that one piece of correspondence, Lee attempted to turn the clock back many months feeling he had something left to negotiate. In reality, Lee had nothing to offer, but his surrender. Lee was offering to meet to discuss a political settlement, but Grant rightfully turned him down. He knew he did not have the right to treat on political issues. It was evident from the above correspondence that Lee intended to fight to the bitter end and this disturbed Grant. As he read the letter, he shook his head and said to Rawlins, "It looks as if Lee meant to fight. I will reply in the morning." 14

  Grant rose early on April 9th, still suffering severely from his headache. At the insistence of his staff, he walked over to Meade's headquarters for coffee. From there he wrote his response to Lee.

  HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE U. S.,

  April 9, 1865.

  GENERAL R. E. LEE,

  Commanding C. S. A.

  Your note of yesterday is received. I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace; the meeting proposed for ten A.M. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, however, general, that I am equally anxious 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 will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, etc.,

  U. S. GRANT,

  Lieutenant-General. 15

  While Grant was dismayed by Lee’s rejection, he still was confident the end was near. Late in the evening the day before, he had received a communication from Sheridan full of opt
imism that he could end the conflict in the morning. Sheridan had arrived in front of Lee and had confiscated his supplies, so Lee would no longer be able to resist.

  Grant now desired to be with Sheridan, so he could insure Lee's surrender. He set off from Curdsville heading for New Store. Once there, he had to take a cross road over to the road which ran from Farmville to Appomattox Court House because Lee's army lay on the direct road from New Store to Appomattox Court House.

  Regretfully, Lee meant what he said in his letter and planned to fight to the bitter end. On the morning of April 9th, seeing Sheridan's cavalry blocking his path to his supplies, he ordered his infantry to charge the Union cavalry and brush them aside so the rebels could continue their resistance, but here they met a great surprise. To Lee's great chagrin, Generals Ord and Griffin had made a forced march from daylight on April 8th to daylight on April 9th, stopping for only one three hour break. As the Confederates advanced, the National cavalry parted only to reveal Yankee infantry on their front by the thousands. The end had finally come. Lee sent forth white flags of surrender.

  Not knowing where Grant was, Lee sent a white flag to his front where Sheridan, Ord and Griffin were and to his rear where Meade, Humphreys and Wright were preparing for an attack. Lee sent two duplicate letters along with the flags of truce asking to meet with General Grant to conduct the surrender. General Lee asked for and received a two hour cessation of hostilities until Grant could be notified. Meade and Sheridan both sent out couriers carrying General Lee's correspondence to look for Grant.