The obligation of officers for the subdivisions under their command is in form as follows: I, the undersigned, commanding officer of, do, for the withinnamed prisoners of war, belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia, who have been this day surrendered by General Robert E. Lee, Confederate States Army, commanding said army, to Lieutenant-General Grant, commanding armies of the United States, hereby give my solemn parole of honor that the within-named shall not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or in military or any capacity whatever against the United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter, until properly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities. Done at Appomattox Court-House, Va., this 9th day of April, 1865. The within-named will not be disturbed by the United States authorities so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they reside. The surrender of Lee was followed by that of the troops in the Shenandoah Valley voluntarily, with few exceptions. Among the commanders were Generals Moseby and Rosser; the latter, you will recollect, tried his generalship on the rear of Sheridan's army, near Fisher's Hill. Oh! how the tidings, flying on lightning wing, set the bells ringing at midnight of that Sabbath! Men wept and shouted for joy even before the dawn of the morning. Then came the marches of glad processions, with music and banners, and the crowded sanctuaries with prayer and praise. Never, perhaps, before did such a tide of grateful, jubilant gladness sweep over a nation, half of whose families were in mourning for the slain heroes. A Christian Republic was exultant, but giving God the glory! Meanwhile, the peerless Sherman, after a brief rest in his Southern marches, April 10th, the day after General Lee's surrender, started after his old antagonist, Johnston. Kilpatrick, on that day, moved his cavalry out on the road to Raleigh, and next day, the 11th, the infantry started in very light marching order. The march was, however, quite deliberate and easy, as the railroad, broken up by the enemy between Raleigh and Goldsboro', was to be repaired. On the 13th, Raleigh was reached, and occupied with only a slight skirmish on the outskirts, Johnston fall GENERAL GRANT HASTENS TO WASHINGTON. 551 ing back toward Hillsboro'. The enemy had destroyed his small navy-yard at Halifax, on the Roanoke, in consequence of the surrender of Lee.. A ram and a gunboat, partially completed, were burned. On the 15th, news came to the same place that Governor Vance was captured by our cavalry between Hillsboro' and Raleigh, on the 13th instant. After the terms of the surrender were arranged, General Grant immediately left the army for Washington, without stopping to visit the fallen Capital, or pausing longer by the way than was requisite for refreshment. On the 13th of April, 1865, he reached Washington, established his head-quarters, and went to the War Department, where he met the President and Secretary Stanton. He assured them that the rebellion was virtually at an end, and that the Government might at once cut down its expenses. That evening the Secretary telegraphed the following important dispatch northward, the first that bore to the nation the welcome news that peace was at hand : WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, } April 18-6 P. M. To Major-General Dix, New York:The Department, after mature consideration and consultation with the Lieutenant-General upon the results of the recent campaign, has come to the following determinations, which will be carried into effect by appropriate orders to be immediately issued. First. To stop all drafting and recruiting in the loyal States. Second. To curtail purchases for arms, ammunition, quartermaster and commissary supplies, and reduce the military establishment in its several branches. Third. To reduce the number of general and staff officers to the actual necessities of the service. Fourth. To remove all military restrictions upon trade and commerce, so far as may be consistent with public safety. As soon as these measures can be put in operation, it will be made known by public order. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. General Grant remained at the Capital, to assist the Government in reducing the expenses of the military departments. To gratify the multitude, and enjoy needed relaxation, the President attended Ford's Theater on the evening of April 14th. He was no patron of dissipation, or of amuse ments which are represented by the corrupt modern stage. He said, when hesitating about going that night, “If I do not go, the people will be disappointed." He went, and the telegrams which flew over the land told the result. Major-General Dix, New York: War Department, WASHINGTON, This evening, at about 9:30 P. M., at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris, and Major Rathburn, was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and approached behind the President. The assassin then leaped upon the stage, brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the theatre. The pistol ball entered the back of the President's head and penetrated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has been insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying. About the same hour, an assassin, whether the same or not, entered Mr. Seward's apartments, and, under pretense of having a prescription was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber. The assassin immediately rushed to the bed and inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and two on the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal. My apprehension is that they will prove fatal. The nurse alarmed Mr. Frederick Seward, who was in an adjoining room, and he hastened to the door of his father's room, when he met the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds. The recovery of Frederick Seward is doubtful. It is not probable that the President will live through the night. General Grant and wife were advertised to be at the theatre last evening, but he started to Burlington at six o'clock. At a Cabinet meeting, at which General Grant was present, the subject of the state of the country and the prospect of a speedy peace were discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, and spoke very kindly of General Lee and others of the Confederacy, and of the establishment of government in Virginia. All the members of the Cabinet, except Mr. Seward, are now in attendance upon the President. I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frederick were both unconscious. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Major-General Dix: WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 15. } Abraham Lincoln died this morning at twenty-two minutes after seven o'clock. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. The nation was stunned; then broken-hearted. Such |