Sailor’s Creek, a rivulet running north into the Appomattox, Ewell’s corps was brought to bay, and important fighting occurred; the day’s loss to Lee, there and elsewhere, amounting to eight thousand in all, with several of his generals among the prisoners.  This day’s work was of incalculable value to the national arms.  Sheridan’s unerring eye appreciated the full importance of it, his hasty report ending with the words:  “If the thing is pressed, I think that Lee will surrender.”  Grant sent the despatch to President Lincoln, who instantly replied: 

“Let the thing be pressed.”

In fact, after nightfall of the sixth, Lee’s army could only flutter like a wounded bird with one wing shattered.  There was no longer any possibility of escape; but Lee found it hard to relinquish the illusion of years, and as soon as night came down he again began his weary march westward.  A slight success on the next day once more raised his hopes; but his optimism was not shared by his subordinates, and a number of his principal officers, selecting General Pendleton as their spokesman, made known to him on the seventh their belief that further resistance was useless, and advised surrender.  Lee told them that they had yet too many men to think of laying down their arms, but in answer to a courteous summons from Grant sent that same day, inquired what terms he would be willing to offer.  Without waiting for a reply, he again put his men in motion, and during all of the eighth the chase and pursuit continued through a part of Virginia green with spring, and until then unvisited by hostile armies.

Sheridan, by unheard-of exertions, at last accomplished the important task of placing himself squarely on Lee’s line of retreat.  About sunset of the eighth, his advance captured Appomattox Station and four trains of provisions.  Shortly after, a reconnaissance revealed the fact that Lee’s entire army was coming up the road.  Though he had nothing but cavalry, Sheridan resolved to hold the inestimable advantage he had gained, and sent a request to Grant to hurry up the required infantry support; saying that if it reached him that night, they “might perhaps finish the job in the morning.”  He added, with singular prescience, referring to the negotiations which had been opened:  “I do not think Lee means to surrender until compelled to do so.”

This was strictly true.  When Grant replied to Lee’s question about terms, saying that the only condition he insisted upon was that the officers and men surrendered should be disqualified from taking up arms again until properly exchanged, Lee disclaimed any intention to surrender his army, but proposed to meet Grant to discuss the restoration of peace.  It appears from his own report that even on the night of the eighth he had no intention of giving up the fight.  He expected to find only cavalry before him next morning, and thought his remnant of infantry could break through while he himself was amusing Grant