General U.S. Grant, Union commander, contacts Confederate General Robert E. Lee to suggest Lee's surrender

Following his latest series of victories in heavy fighting against the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, Union commander Ulysses S. Grant sent a message to General Robert E. Lee suggesting his surrender in order to save the loss of more lives and end the fighting.  He received an answer from Lee the following morning, in which the Confederate commander signified his possible agreement but asked on what terms the surrender would take place. Lee meanwhile continued his retreat. (By John Osborne) 
Source Citation
Chronicles of the Great Rebellion Against the United States of America (Philadelphia, PA: A. Winch, 1867), 102.
Benson J. Lossing, The Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War in the United States of America (Hartford, CT: T. Belnap, 1874), 556.
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