nst. on the enemy's
main lines could not have been successful. The position thus gained
was an indispensable one to the operations on the main lines, by
affording a place for the assembling of assaulting columns within
striking distance of the enemy's main intrenchments." _War Records_,
vol. xlvi., Part I., p. 903.

( 6) _War Records_, vol. xlvi., Part I., p. 954.

( 7) _Manassas to Appomattox_, pp. 603-5.

( 8) _War Records_, vol. xlvi., Part III., p. 1378.

( 9) _War Records_, vol. xlvi., Part III., p. 509.

(10) _Ibid_., pp. 612, 655-7, 724-5.

(11) _War Records_, vol. xlvi., Part III., p. 723.

(12) Abraham Lincoln, on the evening of March 14, 1865, attended
Ford's Theatre in Washington in company with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss
Harris, and Major Henry R. Rathbone (daughter and stepson of Senator
Ira Harris of New York), and while in a private box (at 10 P.M.)
was shot by John Wilkes Booth. The bullet entered his head on the
left side, passed through the brain, and lodged behind the left
eye. He was carried to a house across the street, where he died
(never being conscious after the shot) at twenty-two minutes after
seven the morning of April 15, 1865. Secretary Stanton, standing
by him as his life went out, more than prophetically said: "_Now
he belongs to the ages_."

An attempt was made the same night to assassinate Secretary Wm. H.
Seward, which came near being successful. He was, also his son
Frederick, terribly wounded and beaten.

CHAPTER XIII
Battle of Sailor's Creek, April 6th--Capitulation of General Robert
E. Lee's Army at Appomattox Court-House, April 9, 1865--Surrender
of Other Confederate Armies, and End of the War of the Rebellion

Richmond and Petersburg having been evacuated, the Army of the
Potomac, at early dawn, April 3, 1865, under orders, marched
westward. Its sole objective now was the Confederate Army. Grant
directed some corps of his army to pursue on the line of Lee's
retreat, and others to march westward on roads farther to the south
to strike other roads necessary for Lee to pursue in gaining North
Carolina where he might form a junction with General Joe Johnston
who was then trying to stem the advance of Sherman.

It was soon known that Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet had reached
Danville, Virginia, and had proclaimed it the seat of the Confederate
Government.

To reach Danville Lee bent all his energy.

The sagacious and energetic movements of the several cor