CHAPTER XLIII.

THE PURSUIT. THE SURRENDER OF LEE. END OF THE TEN DAYS' CAMPAIGN.

THUS on Monday morning, the 3d of April, 1865, the news of the evacuation of Richmond, and that it was in possession of the Union forces, had spread all over the country, and the day was spent in universal rejoicing. All business was suspended by a tacit universal consent. The nation gave itself up to congratulations and every kind of expression of joy. The long agony of the war was over, and the sight of a nation rejoicing will never be forgotten by those who saw it. In the city of New York, it seemed as though the houses clothed themselves in flags as naturally as the trees put forth their foliage in the spring. The streets were filled with smiling crowds; even the well-known haunts of secession, making a virtue of necessity, put on an air of rejoicing.

But while the country was thus busy in expressing its happiness, Grant lost no time in organizing a vigorous pursuit of the retreating Confederate army. Early on the morning of Monday, the 3d of April, the advance of our skirmishers before Petersburg found the city evacuted, and the pursuit began immediately. Lee's army, as we have seen, retreated by the north bank of the Appomattox. Pursuing this route for a

distance of about thirty miles, they then crossed this stream at Goode's Bridge, in order to strike the Danville road at Amelia Court-house. This place is situated about thirty-eight miles west of both Richmond and Petersburg, and was reached by the army on the 4th.

In anticipation of his retreat, Lee had sent a train with supplies to this spot, but an order having met the train when it arrived, on Sunday, from the authorities at Richmond, that the train was wanted there for the purpose of transporting the officers of the Confederate government and their baggage, the train was sent to Richmond without being unloaded, and with its supplies was consumed in the conflagration of the next day. On his arrival, therefore, at Amelia Court-house, on the morning of the 4th, Lee found his army wearied with their forced march, without any supplies, and consequently was forced to remain here the rest of this day and the following one, while foraging parties were sent out through the neighboring country to obtain the needed food. This accidental delay gave an opportunity for the advance of the pursuing army under Sheridan to strike Peterson, on the Danville Railroad, seven miles south-west of Amelia Court-house on the afternoon of the 4th, and thus interpose themselves and cut off the line of retreat Lee had selected. On the 4th General Grant telegraphed the following report to Washington:

WILSON'S STATION, VIRGINIA, April 4, 1865.

HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

The army is pushing forward, in the hope of overtaking or dispersing the remainder of Lee's army.

Sheridan, with his cavalry and the Fifth Corps, is between this and the Appomattox, General Meade, with the Second and Sixth,

following; General Ord following the line of the Southside Railroad. All of the enemy that retain anything like organization have gone north of the Appomattox, and are apparently heading for Lynchburg, their losses having been very heavy.

The houses through the country are nearly all used as hospitals for wounded men. In every direction I hear of rebel soldiers pushing for home, some in large and some in small squads, and generally without arms. The cavalry have pursued so closely that the enemy have been forced to destroy, probably, the greater part of their transportation, caissons, and munitions of war.

The number of prisoners captured yesterday will exceed two thousand. From the 28th of March to the present time, our loss, in killed, wounded, and captured, will probably not reach seven thousand, of whom from fifteen hundred to two thousand are captured, and many but slightly wounded.

I shall continue the pursuit as long as there appears to be any use in it.

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General.

The next day he also sent the following despatch to General Sherman :

WILSON'S STATION, April 5, 1865.

GENERAL: All indications now are, that Lee will attempt to reach Danville with the remnant of his force. Sheridan, who was up with him last night, reports all that is left-horse, foot, and dragoons at twenty thousand, much demoralized. We hope to reduce this number one half. I shall push on to Burkesville, and if a stand is made at Danville, will in a few days go there. If you can possibly do so, push on from where you are, and let us see if we cannot finish the job with Lee's and Johnston's armies. Whether it will be better for you to strike for Greensboro', or nearer to Danville, you will be better able to judge when you receive this. Rebel armies now are the only strategic points to strike at.

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General.

MAJOR GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.

In the afternoon of the 5th, General Meade, with the

Second and Sixth Corps, joined Sheridan at Jettersville, where Sheridan, well intrenched, had held his position that day, keeping his cavalry operating well to his left, in order to see that Lee made no move in that direction to escape. Early in the afternoon of this day Sheridan sent the following despatch to Grant:

JETTERSVILLE, April 5, 1865-3 P. M.

TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL U. S. GRANT.

GENERAL: I send you the enclosed letter, which will give you an idea of the condition of the enemy and their whereabouts. I sent General Davies's brigade this morning around on my left flank. He captured at Fame's Cross five pieces of artillery, about two hundred wagons, and eight or nine battle-flags, and a number of prisoners. The Second Army Corps is now coming up. I wish you were here yourself. I feel confident of capturing the army of Northern Virginia, if we exert ourselves. I see no escape for Lee. I will send all my cavalry out on our left flank, except McKenzie, who is now on the right.

P. H. SHERIDAN, Major General.

AMELIA COURT HOUSE, April 5, 1865. DEAR BRAMMIA: Our army is ruined, I fear. We are all safe as yet. Theodore left us sick. John Taylor is well; saw him yesterday. We are in line of battle this evening. General Robert Lee is in the field near us. My trust is still in the justice of our cause. General Hill is killed. I saw Murray a few moments since. Bernard Perry, he said, was taken prisoner, but may get out. I send this by a negro I see passing up the railroad to Michlenburg. Love to all. Your devoted son,

W. B. TAYLOR, Colonel.

On the morning of the 5th a heavy train of supplies for the Confederate army had been intercepted at a place called Paine's Cross-roads, and destroyed, and both parties being reënforced, a somewhat severe en

gagement ensued, in which the Confederates were worsted.

The next morning (the 6th) the whole army of the Potomac, having concentrated at Jettersville, advanced towards Amelia Court-house, to attack the Confederate army, but found that during the night Lee had again retreated, and was hurrying to Farmville, thirty-five miles farther west, where, by crossing the Appomattox again, destroying the bridges after him, he could escape into the mountains beyond Lynchburg. The course of the army was then changed, and hurried in pursuit of the retreating foe, in three columns, one upon the road taken by Lee, and the others upon parallel roads to the north and south. The army of the James, which was also on the road, having reached Burkseville, was, on the morning of the 6th, directed towards Farmville, the point to which Lee was hastening, and an advance-guard, pressing vigorously forward, consisting of two regiments of infantry and a squadron of cavalry under Brigadier General Theodore Read, met the advance of Lee's army near Farmville, and, despite the disparity of their numbers, heroically determined to hold their position in the way of the retreating army, and thus detain them until the army of the James should arrive. In this heroic attempt, which was successful, General Read lost his life, and his command was overwhelmed; but the point was gained, and, the army of the James coming up, the Confederates immediately intrenched themselves.

On the same day (the 6th) Sheridan, with the cavalry forming the advance of the army of the Potomac, came up near Deatonsville, with the wagon train of