Here I met Dr. Smith, a Virginian and an officer of the regular army, who told me that in a conversation with General Ewell, one of the prisoners and a relative of his, Ewell had said that when we had got across the James River he knew their cause was lost, and it was the duty of their authorities to make the best terms they could while they still had a right to claim concessions.  The authorities thought differently, however.  Now the cause was lost and they had no right to claim anything.  He said further, that for every man that was killed after this in the war somebody is responsible, and it would be but very little better than murder.  He was not sure that Lee would consent to surrender his army without being able to consult with the President, but he hoped he would.

I rode in to Farmville on the 7th, arriving there early in the day.  Sheridan and Ord were pushing through, away to the south.  Meade was back towards the High Bridge, and Humphreys confronting Lee as before stated.  After having gone into bivouac at Prince Edward’s Court House, Sheridan learned that seven trains of provisions and forage were at Appomattox, and determined to start at once and capture them; and a forced march was necessary in order to get there before Lee’s army could secure them.  He wrote me a note telling me this.  This fact, together with the incident related the night before by Dr. Smith, gave me the idea of opening correspondence with General Lee on the subject of the surrender of his army.  I therefore wrote to him on this day, as follows: 

Headquarters armies of the U. S., 5 P.M., April 7, 1865.

General R. E. Lee Commanding C. S. A.

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, Lieut.-General.

Lee replied on the evening of the same day as follows: 

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.

This was not satisfactory, but I regarded it as deserving another letter and wrote him as follows: 

April 8, 1865.

General R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A.