April, 1865. |
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“By that warrant,” these people said, substantially, to the writer, “we will attempt to regain the ‘Lost Cause.’
” 1
When terms of surrender were agreed upon, the starving Confederate soldiers were fed from the National stores; and on Wednesday, the 12th,
they were marched by divisions to an appointed place, near Appomattox Court-House, where they stacked their arms and accouterments, and the private soldiers and warrant officers received their paroles.
So the Army of Northern Virginia disappeared.
The kindness of the Government followed the offending ones, even to their homes, transportation and food for their journey being afforded to large numbers of them.
The victorious army all returned to Burkesville Station (excepting the infantry of Gibbon and Griffin, and McKenzie's cavalry, who were left at Appomattox Court-House until the business of the surrender was finished), and thence, a few days later, they moved on to Petersburg and Richmond.
General Grant and his staff left for City Point on the 11th, leaving General Meade to attend to the details of the surrender.2 It was exactly a fortnight from the time when Grant broke up Headquarters at City Point, to enter upon the spring campaign, until his return there, with the campaign ended, and the war substantially closed.
Lee had started on that campaign with about sixty-five thousand men. He went back to Richmond alone; and for a month, he and his family were kindly supplied with daily rations from the National commissariat there.
The announcement of the great victory had been sent over the land by the Secretary of War, together with thanks to Grant and his soldiers;3
1 The following is a copy of Lee's Farewell Address:--
2 Lee lost, during the movements of his army, from the 26th of March to the 9th of April, about 14,000 killed and wounded, and 25,000 made prisoners. The remainder, who were not present at the surrender, had deserted on the retreat. The number of men paroled, was about 26,000, of whom not more than 9,000 had arms. in their hands. About 16,000 small-arms were surrendered; 150 cannon; 71 colors; about 1,100 wagons and caissons, and 4,000 horses and mules.
3 The Secretary wrote: “Thanks be to Almighty God for the great victory with which He has this day crowned you and the gallant armies under your command I The thanks of this Department and of the Government, and of the people of the United States-their reverence and honor have been deserved — will be rendered to you and the brave and gallant officers and soldiers of your army, for all time.”
Those of the grateful people who could know and appreciate the marvelous and patriotic services of the Secretary of War, during the struggle, were then, and ever will be ready to make him an equal sharer with the generals of the army, in their honor and reverence. General Hancock paid a just tribute to the worth of that able Minister, when he said, in a speech at the New England Dinner, in New York, in December, 1865: “Much credit has been given to the army; praise without stint has been given by a grateful people to its generals. We have had many generals, among whom the honors have been divided, and whose fame will live in more enduring form than in wreaths of laurel, but during the period of our greatest perils, we have had but one Minister of War, and during his administration, substantial victories crowned our arms. One who has been unequaled in furnishing the means of war, and placing them in the hands of our generals; one who has rivaled Carnot in all that is accorded to him for preparation; one who never faltered, however dark the hour. And shall we not honor him? I know him to be generous and mindful of faithful service. Among the people I predict an increasing tide of popularity in his favor, and that he will be one of those whom the country will delight to honor — Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. A model for a War Minister, in momentous times: wise, firm, fruitful of resources, patriotic, incorruptible. To him a nation's gratitude is due.”
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