150 Years Ago Today: April 7

In Hudson, preparations are being made to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the night the train bearing the body of Abraham Lincoln stopped here briefly on on its journey to Springfield, Illinois. On the days leading up to April 25, 1865, significant things happened in the story of the end of the Civil War. 

On April 7, 1865, after the fall of Richmond and Petersburg, the Army of Northern Virginia, under the command of Robert E. Lee, was attempting to escape west to join the Confederate army led by Joseph E. Johnston. The Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Ulysses S. Grant, was positioned to stop Lee's army as it moved toward Lynchburg. After the Battle of Sailor's Creek on April 6, Lee's army is dissolving. To avoid further bloodshed, Grant sent a letter to Lee, asking for his surrender. 

Below is the text of Grant's letter and Lee's response, as it appears on the website of the Civil War Trust:

APRIL 7, 1865

General R. E. LEE:

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.

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

APRIL 7, 1865

Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT:

I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on 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.