On Friday, April 7, 1865 Grant initiated correspondence with Lee, writing “the result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance….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 the portion of the C.S. army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.” Lee responded, asking about possible terms of surrender, despite denying that the Confederate cause was hopeless as Grant alleged. As the day progressed, Sheridan’s Union cavalry moved west and north to block Lee’s further retreat. With massive Union forces about to surround him Lee’s situation was essentially hopeless, but he was determined to try one last time to save his beleaguered army.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.