“April 7, 1865.

“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 States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.

“U.  S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. 
“GENERAL R. E. LEE.”

Early on the morning of the 8th, before leaving, I received at Farmville the following: 

“April 7, 1865.

“GENERAL:  I have received your note of this date.  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. 
“LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT.”

To this I immediately replied: 

“April 8, 1865.

“GENERAL:—­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 for 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, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of the Northern Virginia will be received.

“U.  S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. 
“GENERAL R. E. LEE.”

Early on the morning of the 8th the pursuit was resumed.  General Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and General Sheridan, with all the cavalry, pushed straight ahead for Appomattox Station, followed by General Ord’s command and the 5th corps.  During the day General Meade’s advance had considerable fighting with the enemy’s rear-guard, but was unable to bring on a general engagement.  Late in the evening General Sheridan struck the railroad at Appomattox Station, drove the enemy from there, and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, a hospital train, and four trains of cars loaded with supplies for Lee’s army.  During this day I accompanied General Meade’s column, and about midnight received the following communication from General Lee: 

April 8, 1865.