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first by the cavalry and subsequently by the Twenty-fourth corps, it was too late in the afternoon before it reached that place, where it was found the enemy had destroyed the bridge.
On learning the position of Humphreys, orders were sent to Wright to cross and attack in support.
By great exertions a bridge for infantry was constructed, over which Wright crossed, but it was nightfall before this could be effected.
The next day, April eighth, the pursuit was continued on the Lynchburg stage road.
On the ninth, at twelve M., the head of the Second corps, when within three miles of Appomattox Court-house, came up with the enemy.
At the same time I received a letter from General Lee, asking for a suspension of hostilities pending negotiations for surrender.
Soon after receiving this letter, Brigadier-General Forsyth, of General Sheridan's staff, came through the enemy's lines and notified me a truce had been made by Major-General Ord, commanding the troops on the other side of Appomattox Court-house.
In consequence of this I replied to General Lee that 1 should suspend hostilities for two hours. At the expiration of that time I received the instructions of the Lieutenant-General commanding to continue the armistice until further orders, and about four P. M., I received the welcome intelligence of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
It has been impossible, in the foregoing brief outline of operations, to do full justice to the several corps engaged; for this purpose reference must be had to the reports of corps and division commanders, which will be forwarded as soon as received.
At the same time I would call attention to the handsome repulse of the enemy by Griffin's division, Fifth corps, on the twenty-ninth ultimo; to the important part taken by the Fifth corps in the battle of Five Forks; to the gallant assault, on the second instant, by the Sixth corps--in my judgment the decisive movement of the campaign; to the successful attack of the Sixth corps in the battle of Sailor's creek; to the gallant assault, on the second instant, of the Ninth corps, and the firmness and tenacity with which the advantages then gained were held against all assaults of the enemy; to the brilliant attack of Miles' division, Second corps, at Sutherland's station; to the energetic pursuit and attack of the enemy by the Second corps, on the sixth instant, terminating in the battle of Sailor's creek; and to the prompt pursuit the next day, with Barlow's and Miles' attacks, as all evincing the fact that this army, officers, and men, all nobly did their duty, and deserve the thanks of the country.
Nothing could exceed the cheerfulness with which all submitted to fatigue and privations to secure the coveted prize — the capture of the Army of Northern Virginia.
The absence of official reports precludes my forwarding any statement of casualties, or lists of the captures of guns, colors, and prisoners.
To my staff, general and personal, I am indebted, as I ever have been, for the most zealous and faithful discharge of their duties.
Respectfully yours,
George G. Meade, Major-General U. S. A., Commanding. Colonel T. S. Bowers, Assistant Adjutant General.
General Sheridan's report.
cavalry headquarters, May 16, 1865.
General — I have the honor to submit the following narrative of the operations of my command during the recent campaign in front of Petersburg and Richmond, terminating with the surrender of the rebel Army of Northern Virginia, at Appomattox Court-house, Virginia, on April 9, 1865:
On March twenty-sixth my command, consisting of the First and Third cavalry divisions, under the immediate command of Brevet Major-General Wesley Merritt, crossed the James river by the bridge at Jones' landing, having marched from Winchester, in the Shenandoah valley, via White House, on the Pamunkey river.
On March twenty-seventh this command went into camp near Hancock station, on the military railroad in front of Petersburg, and on the same day the Second cavalry division, which had been serving with the Army of the Potomac, reported to me under the command of Major-General George Crook.
The effective force of these three divisions was as follows: General Merritt's command, First and Third divisions, 5,700; General Crook's command, Second division, 3,300.
Total effective force, 9,000.
With this force I moved out on the twenty-ninth March, in conjunction with the armies operating against Richmond, and in the subsequent operations I was under the immediate orders of the Lieutenant-General commanding.
I moved by the way of Reams' station, on the Weldon railroad, and Malone's crossing, on Rowanty creek, where we were obliged to construct a bridge.
At this point our advance encountered a small picket of the rebel cavalry and drove it to the left across Stony creek, capturing a few prisoners, from whom, and from my scouts, I learned that the enemy's cavalry was at or near Stony creek depot, on the Weldon railroad, on our left flank and rear.
Believing that it would not attack me, and that by pushing on to Dinwiddie Court-house I could force it to make a wide detour, we continued the march, reaching the Court-house about five o'clock, P. M., encountering only a small picket of the enemy, which was driven away by our advance.
It was found necessary to order General Custer's division, which was marching in the rear, to remain near Malone's crossing, on the Rowanty creek, to assist and protect our trains, which were greatly retarded by the almost impassable roads of that miry section.The First and Second divisions went into camp, covering the 