I found an online site at OSU that contains the Official Records for The War of the Rebellion: eHistory at OSU | Online Books | The Official Records of the Civil War
I've picked out a few interesting passages from the last week of the war since I was just at Petersburg and Appomattox a few weeks back.
This first passage is Lincoln passing on his congratulations for the breakthrough at Five Forks, which unhinged Lee's defensive lines at Petersburg and force him to attempt his withdrawal to link up with Johnston's forces in North Carolina.
I found this interesting because of the tact and respect Grant used in telling the Commander-in-Chief that he wasn't going to meet him at the train station.
The following is the dialogue between Grant and Lee that initiated the surrender process at Appomattox.
I've picked out a few interesting passages from the last week of the war since I was just at Petersburg and Appomattox a few weeks back.
This first passage is Lincoln passing on his congratulations for the breakthrough at Five Forks, which unhinged Lee's defensive lines at Petersburg and force him to attempt his withdrawal to link up with Johnston's forces in North Carolina.
eHistory at OSU | Online Books | The Official Records of the Civil War
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
Allow me to tender to you and all with you the nation's grateful thanks for this additional and magnificent success. At your kind suggestion I think I will meet you to-morrow.
A. LINCOLN.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
Allow me to tender to you and all with you the nation's grateful thanks for this additional and magnificent success. At your kind suggestion I think I will meet you to-morrow.
A. LINCOLN.
eHistory at OSU | Online Books | The Official Records of the Civil War
APRIL 2, 1865.
Colonel T. S. BOWERS:
If the President will come on the 9 a.m. train to Patrick's Station I will send a horse and an escort to meet him. It would afford me much pleasure to meet the President in person at the station, but I know he will excuse me for not doing so when my services are so liable to be needed at any moment. If 9 is an inconvenient hour telegraph me the hour when the President will start and he will find his escort awaiting him when he arrives.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
APRIL 2, 1865.
Colonel T. S. BOWERS:
If the President will come on the 9 a.m. train to Patrick's Station I will send a horse and an escort to meet him. It would afford me much pleasure to meet the President in person at the station, but I know he will excuse me for not doing so when my services are so liable to be needed at any moment. If 9 is an inconvenient hour telegraph me the hour when the President will start and he will find his escort awaiting him when he arrives.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
eHistory at OSU | Online Books | The Official Records of the Civil War
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
April 7, 1865-5 p. m.
General R. E. LEE,
Commanding C. S. Army:
GENERAL: 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 C. S. Army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding Armies of the United States.
APRIL 7, 1865.
Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,
Commanding Armies of the United States:
GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express of 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.
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
April 7, 1865-5 p. m.
General R. E. LEE,
Commanding C. S. Army:
GENERAL: 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 C. S. Army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding Armies of the United States.
APRIL 7, 1865.
Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,
Commanding Armies of the United States:
GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express of 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.
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