ranks among the decisive struggles of history. Livermore's comment is suggestive:- -"With a force of about 116,000 effectives, Grant manœuvred, and drove out of their entrenchments in front of Richmond and Petersburg about 52,000 Confederates, and then with 72,000 men, pursuing for eighty miles the remainder of the Confederate army, estimated at 37,000, captured, dispersed or put hors de combat on the way about 9,000, and finally surrounded and received the surrender of 28,231. In no other modern campaign has an army ever pursued, surrounded and captured so many men in full flight."

So striking was Grant's success that it gave rise to a curious tradition, based upon alleged conversations with Confederate officers, that when Weitzel entered Richmond, he found there a report from Lee to the Confederate Secretary of War in which the former outlined his proposed plan of retreat when he should be forced to retire from Petersburg, and that this information was hurried to Grant, thus enabling him to anticipate and meet each move of the enemy. However soothing this legend may be to the susceptibilities of those who counted Lee as invincible, it seems to have but little historic foundation. The truth is that Grant here, as at Vicksburg, was at his best. His army was well in hand, and he had personal knowledge of the effectiveness of each subordinate. Against any foe of equal strength and position, the Army of the Potomac under Grant's leadership would probably have triumphed, and

when face to face with Lee's weakened and exhausted soldiers, it was irresistible.

The tanner's son was now the idol of the nation, for he had fought its battles, until at last came victory and peace.'

1 The summary of losses of the Army of the Potomac shows that success under Grant had cost less than failure under his predecessors.

1864, May 5 to

1864, June 15 to

1864, May 5 to June 24, Army of Potomac

Rapidan to James,

June 14, Army of James-
South of James River,

July 31, Armies of Potomac
and James,

1864, Aug. 1 to

Dec. 31, Armies of Potomac

and James,

24,621

1865, Jan. 1 to

Apr. 9, Armies of Potomac and
James and Sheridan

15,692

124,390

CHAPTER XII

RECONSTRUCTION

By the camp-fires at Appomattox on the evening of the surrender, the military bands played "Home Sweet Home." It was universally recognized that the overthrow of Lee meant the end of the war. Not only did it remove from the conflict the most redoubtable captain and the best appointed army of the Confederacy, but also it had long been understood that the combat between Grant and Lee would be decisive of the struggle. All eyes centered on their field of action, and both sides admitted the finality of the result. The popular rejoicing in the North was fervent and grateful, and gave evidence of that deep religious faith which, beneath a surface of apparent materialism, is fundamental in the American heart. The churches were crowded and "Old Hundred," or some other hymn of gratitude, was heard wherever men assembled, even in the halls of trade.

In the exultation of the hour Grant did not lose sight of the duties which the new aspect of the struggle presented. The war was costing four millions a day; recruiting was still going on under the stimulus of bounties; and there were over one million men in the armies of the North. Leaving

Meade in command, Grant returned to City Point where immediate arrangements were made to reduce the military expenditures. Realizing that Sherman would probably be able to take care of Johnston without the assistance of the Army of the Potomac, he hastened to Washington where, on April 13th, there was a general illumination with fireworks. Secretary Welles has described the popular rejoicing in the capital,-"The nation seems delirious with joy. Guns are firing, bells ringing, flags flying, men laughing, children cheering, all, all are jubilant." On the day of Grant's return, orders were issued stopping all drafting and recruiting and further purchase of ammunition and supplies. During the evening display the President and Mrs. Lincoln took Grant in their carriage to observe the fireworks, and everywhere they were greeted with nine cheers for the President and an equal number for the General. Never was the nation happier; never was there rejoicing which turned so quickly to sorrow and dismay !

April 14th is a date written large in the history of the United States. Four years before the flag had been lowered at Fort Sumter, and the crisis precipitated. Now to signalize the triumph of the Union, General Anderson, who had been Major in charge at the original bombardment, was appointed to raise the Stars and Stripes in Charleston Harbor and Henry Ward Beecher, the most noted of the anti-slavery orators, delivered a memorial oration. In Washington there was a meeting

of the Cabinet which Grant was invited to attend. A thorough discussion ensued of the new problems which victory had brought,-the reopening of trade in the Southern states, the reconstruction of the state governments, etc. Some inquiry was made as to Sherman's progress and the absence of news from North Carolina was commented upon. It was then that the President remarked that he expected favorable news soon, for on the night before he had had the usual dream which had preceded nearly every important event of the war. He said that he seemed to be in a singular indescribable vessel moving with great rapidity toward an indefinite shore, and that he had had this dream before Sumter, Antietam, Gettysburg, Stone River, Vicksburg, etc. After the Cabinet had adjourned, Lincoln invited General and Mrs. Grant to attend the theatre with him that night, but Grant, finding that his work at Washington was now concluded, decided instead to visit his children who were at school in Burlington, N. J.

Grant and his wife took the evening train for the North. When they reached Philadelphia, they crossed to the ferry on the east side of the city and there they received the dispatches which announced the assassination of the President, the murderous assault upon Secretary Seward, and the rumor of the attack upon the Vice-President. It is impossible to express the universal sorrow and the tremendous indignation which was caused by the death of Lincoln. Mingled with the popular lament, which was felt by all, regardless of politics, there