Confederate agents had purchased the French-built ironclad in January 1865 and commissioned her in the North Sea as C.S.S. Stonewall.  Powerful but ungainly, she had put into Ferrol Harbor in Spain immediately for repairs.  When she sailed for Lisbon in Portugal, Thomas J. Craven, commanding two U.S. Navy vessels watching the port, decided only to shadow her rather than engage. Craven was later court martialed.  (By John Osborne)   

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Union General U.S. Grant and Confederate General Robert E. Lee met at Wilmer McLean's house in the village of Appomattox Court House.  Lee accepted Grant's generous terms and surrender documents signed after ninety minutes. The formal stacking of arms took place three days later.  The war in Virginia was over but 175,000 Confederate troops remained active elsewhere.  (By John Osborne) 

When General Grant received Confederate General Robert E. Lee's response to his overture suggesting Confederate surrender, he responded straight away, stating that he was prepared to offer generous terms providing prisoners did not later take up arms against the Union.  He then suggested a face to face meeting.  By this time Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was barely operational and was blocked at Appomattox Court House. Lee, in answer the same day, refused to confirm that he would surrender but agreed to a meeting which took place the following afternoon. (By John Osborne) 

Confederate General Robert E. Lee had received General Grant's note suggesting the end of the fighting the day before.  He responded straight away, although his answer did not reach Grant till the next morning. Lee's reply suggested his willingness to discuss possibilities but also asked about the terms under which this would take place. Meanwhile, his Army of Northern Virginia continued its retreat, barely able to resist the overwhelming strength of the Union Army. (By John Osborne) 

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)