Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 2

Lincoln, however, arrived before Grant had left the town, and the two had a short interview in the rebel porch. The President, of course, was cheerful at the great success which had been achieved, but there was a dash of anxiety mingled with his satisfaction; he foresaw the imminent civil complications that success involved. His great heart was full of charity, however, and he was planning already what merciful magnaminity he could show to those who had resisted and reviled himself and his government so long. Some of these plans he unfolded now to Grant.

There was no news yet of the capture of Richmond, and at 12.30 P. M. the general-in-chief telegraphed to Weitzel, showing the dispatch to the President: ‘How are you progressing Will the enemy try to hold Richmond? I have detained the division belonging to your corps, and will send it back if you think it will be needed. I am waiting here to hear from you. The troops moved up the Appomattox this morning.’ To Hartsuff, who was in command in front of Bermuda Hundred, he said: ‘What do you learn of the position of the enemy in your front? If the enemy have moved out, try to connect pickets with the forces from Petersburg.’

After remaining an hour and a half, the President returned to City Point, and Grant set out to join Ord's column, having yet received no message from Richmond. He had not ridden far, however, before a dispatch was handed him from Weitzel. It was in these words: ‘We took Richmond at 8.15 this morning. I captured many guns. Enemy left in great ’