It was then that General Ord joined us, and after shaking hands all around, I related the situation to him, and Gordon went away agreeing to meet us again in half an hour.  When the time was up he came back accompanied by General Longstreet, who brought with him a despatch, the duplicate of one that had been sent General Grant through General Meade’s lines back on the road over which Lee had been retreating.

General Longstreet renewed the assurances that already had been given by Gordon, and I sent Colonel Newhall with the despatch to find General Grant and bring him to the front.  When Newhall started, everything on our side of the Appomattox Court House was quiet, for inevitable surrender was at hand, but Longstreet feared that Meade, in ignorance of the new conditions on my front might attack the Confederate rearguard.  To prevent this I offered to send Colonel J. W. Forsyth through the enemy’s lines to let Meade know of my agreement, for he too was suspicious that by a renewed correspondence Lee was endeavoring to gain time for escape.  My offer being accepted, Forsyth set out accompanied by Colonel Fairfax, of Longstreet’s staff, and had no difficulty in accomplishing his mission.

About five or six miles from Appomattox, on the road toward Prospect Station near its intersection with the Walker’s Church road, my adjutant-general, Colonel Newhall, met General Grant, he having started from north of the Appomattox River for my front the morning of April 9, in consequence of the following despatches which had been sent him the night before, after we had captured Appomattox Station and established a line intercepting Lee: 

“Cavalry headquarters, April 8, 1865—­9:20 P. M.

“Lieutenant-general U. S. Grant,
“Commanding Armies of the U. S.

“General:  I marched early this morning from Buffalo Creek and Prospect Station on Appomattox Station, where my scouts had reported trains of cars with supplies for Lee’s army.  A short time before dark General Custer, who had the advance, made a dash at the station, capturing four trains of supplies with locomotives.  One of the trains was burned and the others were run back toward Farmville for security.  Custer then pushed on toward Appomattox Court House, driving the enemy—­who kept up a heavy fire of artillery—­charging them repeatedly and capturing, as far as reported, twenty-five pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners and wagons.  The First Cavalry Division supported him on the right.  A reconnoissance sent across the Appomattox reports the enemy moving on the Cumberland road to Appomattox Station, where they expect to get supplies.  Custer is still pushing on.  If General Gibbon and the Fifth Corps can get up to-night, we will perhaps finish the job in the morning.  I do not think Lee means to surrender until compelled to do so.

“P.  H. Sheridan, Major-General.”