Thomas Wright's Diary

Lincoln, Grant & Sherman, & Terms of Surrender

Lincoln was looking for leaders that, would go all out to win the War. He found them in Grant and Sherman. Both pursued and fought the Army of the Confederacy, breaking the backs of the Army and its supply system. Petersburg being the main railroad intersection supplying Richmond and the Army of Northern Virginia. Grant chose Petersburg for that reason, why Lee chose to stay at Petersburg, not to move south to join up with Johnston.
Still lingers in the back of my mind.

Lee may have determined, Petersburg and Richmond to valuable to relinquish. A siege if long enough, might give him the upper hand. Lincoln would grow tired of it and replace Grant, or some peace offering would be made.

27, March 1865

Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman meet, to discuss the last stages of the War. They met at City Point Virginia outside Petersburg, Grants Head Quarters. Before the meeting, Lincoln watched a Union Bombardment and a small skirmish, he reviewed troops talked to wounded soldiers.

Lincoln was concerned Lee would escape and move to join up with Joseph Johnston in North Carolina, assemble a new Army and drag the War on for months. Both Grant and Sherman assured the President the end was in sight. On the 28th the three met with Admiral David Dixon Porter, onboard the River Queen.

After the meeting, Lincoln toured the siege at Richmond, then left for Washington, D.C. Lee would surrender the Army of Northern Virginia four weeks later, five days after President Abraham Lincoln would be assassinated. The Army of Tennessee under the Command of Joseph Johnston surrendered just over two weeks after Lee surrendered.

The final battle of the War, was in Texas at Palmito Ranch May 11-12 General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered his forces June second.

The Battle of Sailor's Creek April 6, 1865 effectively fragmented Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to half its size. Its supplies captured blocked from moving south to North Carolina. To join up with Johnston. Lee had no choice but to surrender. Trapped near Appomattox Court House Virginia, Lee surrendered to Grant. His Officers allowed to keep sidearms and sabers cavalry could keep horses artillery could keep horses and mules. All men were pardoned if they went home and obeyed the law. Lee asked for food for his men, Grant gave him food.

Lee and Grant meet Appomattox Court house,
Top picture Mclean house where terms of
surrender were agreed on bottom picture.