On the morning of the 5th, I addressed Major-General Sherman the following communication: 

“WILSON’S STATION, April 5, 1865.

“GENERAL:  All indications now are that Lee will attempt to reach Danville with the remnant of his force.  Sheridan, who was up with him last night, reports all that is left, horse, foot, and dragoons, at twenty thousand, much demoralized.  We hope to reduce this number one-half.  I shall push on to Burkesville, and if a stand is made at Danville, will in a very few days go there.  If you can possibly do so, push on from where you are, and let us see if we cannot finish the job with Lee’s and Johnston’s armies.  Whether it will be better for you to strike for Greensboro’, or nearer to Danville, you will be better able to judge when you receive this.  Rebel armies now are the only strategic points to strike at.

“U.  S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. 
“MAJOR-GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.”

On the morning of the 6th, it was found that General Lee was moving west of Jetersville, towards Danville.  General Sheridan moved with his cavalry (the 5th corps having been returned to General Meade on his reaching Jetersville) to strike his flank, followed by the 6th corps, while the 2d and 5th corps pressed hard after, forcing him to abandon several hundred wagons and several pieces of artillery.  General Ord advanced from Burkesville towards Farmville, sending two regiments of infantry and a squadron of cavalry, under Brevet Brigadier-General Theodore Read, to reach and destroy the bridges.  This advance met the head of Lee’s column near Farmville, which it heroically attacked and detained until General Read was killed and his small force overpowered.  This caused a delay in the enemy’s movements, and enabled General Ord to get well up with the remainder of his force, on meeting which, the enemy immediately intrenched himself.  In the afternoon, General Sheridan struck the enemy south of Sailors’ Creek, captured sixteen pieces of artillery and about four hundred wagons, and detained him until the 6th corps got up, when a general attack of infantry and cavalry was made, which resulted in the capture of six or seven thousand prisoners, among whom were many general officers.  The movements of the 2d corps and General Ord’s command contributed greatly to the day’s success.

On the morning of the 7th the pursuit was renewed, the cavalry, except one division, and the 5th corps moving by Prince Edward’s Court House; the 6th corps, General Ord’s command, and one division of cavalry, on Farmville; and the 2d corps by the High Bridge Road.  It was soon found that the enemy had crossed to the north side of the Appomattox; but so close was the pursuit, that the 2d corps got possession of the common bridge at High Bridge before the enemy could destroy it, and immediately crossed over.  The 6th corps and a division of cavalry crossed at Farmville to its support.

Feeling now that General Lee’s chance of escape was utterly hopeless, I addressed him the following communication from Farmville: