On october 7th the reports back to richmond and rights to le suggesting he is ready to come back, but at least with the army of Northern Virginia, lee wanted a more vigorous person to take charge. He never recovered the use of his right arm. At this point because of the bullet exiting through his throat he cannot speak. Lee is having none of that. On october 17, he orders long streak to return and resume command of the first core of the army of virginia. North of the james river. Lee is going to take charge of the defenses around petersburg itself. By march 29th, the siege petersburg has been going on since june 18 of 1864. At this point it runs 37 miles. His last the outside railroad is going to be controlled by Confederate Forces at five forks. April 1st of 1865, union troops were captured at five forks to the south. At that point, lee has no option but to evacuate richmond in petersburg. Longstreet leaves petersburg about 7 00 that night. Within two hours, he has his first troops from petersburg. Longstreet the sites to write on his horse to petersburg. He arrived there before his troops got there on the trains. Longstreet its going to meet with lee at edge hail. Edge hill is just to the right of this photograph. The mark you see here is for edge hill. The main road you see here is a street in petersburg. If you ever go down there, look for walgreens and you would will find edge hill. Longstreet reportedly arrived at daylight. He also wrote that it was still dark when he got there. With the sunrise at 5 54. Edge hill is roughly one mile north of fort craig. The frontal attack on april 2nd will begin at 5 15 in the morning. Lee appears to longstreet to stop the events. Long street had to admit that not nor had he noticed that any of them had reached the station at petersburg. Lee is forced to evacuate edge hill and move to cottage farm at the intersection of bowed and plank road. Fence road is a road that runs off to the right within shouting distance of battery number 45. A mile west of this location. I can he reportedly write that petersburg about 11 00 in the morning to regiments. The second and 15 longstreet also wrote, i wrote in with skirmishes, and at the middle point turn i walk to the top of the hill. Took off my glasses the enemies formidable masses. I thought i recognized general given and raced my hat. He was busy and did not see me. Given at this point had more to do than look for general longstreet. Longstreet is going to establishes alliance near the rear of fort greg and fort with worth by his him the time he needs to set up a defense line to hold back the union attack and buy time to organize a retreat. Longstreets line runs to the appomatox river. About 4 00 in the afternoon, the rest of the brigade and Fields Division are taking a position along this new line. The general wrote, all is done under the immediate eye of general longstreet who rode the colt everywhere, frequently up and down with grant unconcern. I never saw anything like it in the war. It was the top of all. By 8 00, 8 pm of april 2nd from petersburg. The appomatox river at better sun. The pontoon bridge many claimed longstreet to leave the line at about midnight. On the north side of the appomatox river. By 3 am of a pro third, lee has successfully evacuated the petersburg front. Leaves initial plan is to head for the courthouse to burke field down to danville, rginia theny from his wound. Kate also said that longstreet had much to say on any topic. The confederates cross between april 3rd and april 4th. They took up a line on the south side peaked to cover the wagons and artillery. People carrying the heavy cavalry to the roads very much delayed. Numbers were about 5000 men. It is the largest most effective division in lees army. At the amelia courthouse, lee is hoping to find supplies and ammunition waiting for him. But no food. Somehow they got mixed up in the orders. Caused hes trying to find food for his man. That is the best he can do. The lieutenant for the wars artillery says that at the same i saw generally and longstreet. Day longstreet himself said, there was a skirmishing in my front for part of the way. At the amelia courthouse i drew field, workhorses beyond the town, to bring on an engagement with the enemy. They withdrew. Heres the guy now. Hes had to retreat from richmond down to petersburg. Yet, on april 4th, two days after petersburg, longstreet still pitched into the union troops. Its almost like, okay guys, lets bring it on a. You want to fight . We are ready for. It longstreet is not ready to give up by any means. On april 5th, the confederates are approaching general lee was with us at jitters ville. I drew the command often fired to the right when they got to jetersville their was the army of the potomac. Pierre the cavalry under thats widely chose not to bring on the battle at jetersville. Tear meanwhile at burke hill junction, the army of the james reached the area on the night on the morning of april 6th royal, as the high bridge was burnt. Meanwhile, early in the morning of april 6th speak why is virginia. His job is to clear the way for the main body of the army and the wagon trains to get through. He gets there furious about which is already passed to the rices station. Its the county commanders, major jonas colonel thomas mom furred, a fall after the bridge burners of captured or detached the. Took the last man of his command to do it. Bridge burners. Its been said by sydney us as long as we actually is creased is on chance is a defeat. But hes doing it in order to guarantee lease escape with the rest of the army. Go to report the general or coming up in brockville, excuse me. He wrote to meet them, martin back to the line. But now the army of virginia starting the split. And theres a gaffe now in the line of the troops trying to retreat. Theyre going to split in the bottom caused by sailors creek. And that bottom line, part of these will be attacked by the six core and sheridans cavalry where they proceed to capture 1000 confederates. Almost a third of lees army. The wagon train is crossing the appomattox river with john gordon protecting them but hes being pressed by the union army second core which is always trying to take advantage of this. At rices station, with forwards army coming on, it receives orders to russ move towards farm val which he saw a crowded row deep in mud with shared and fighting against long streets army. This is lost reach column and cordons column. Heres the high bridge. The confederate county was able to stop the bridge burners and capture or kill most of them. So the bridge is intact when gordon starts to cross. The confederate sub in order to but burn hybrid. The two bridges in this area. One is a railroad bridge and the others a wagon bridge. The confederacy did destroy part of the train bridge, which was quickly rebuilt. Because of the force of the wagon bridge, that they could not burn. Whatever fires they started, they were put out. Now union troops are pouring all over the appomattox river through the wagon bridge and the average. Call as he reported, we cross early and receive two days rations. Hauling or wagons, may fires, cooking utensils and we are just ready to have a good breakfast. We have not heard of the disasters on the other routes and a hasty retreat. And were looking for a little quiet to prepare breakfast. When generally rode up and said that the bridges had been fired before his cavalry crossed. Part of that command was cut off and lost and that the troop should hurry on the positions at Cumberland Church. Cumberland churches on the north side of the apple mattocks river. So as long as hes crossing this way to get the Cumberland Church. Arrives there about 2 00 in the afternoon and will help general known court off attacks from humphreys second core. The hornys establishes his headquarters a Cumberland Church itself and its also worldly had his headquarters in the same area. At 10 pm that night of april 7th, lee will receive his first note from general grant. Grant is proposing that leaser render that portion of the army known as our Northern Virginia. The shows is not to some of the Staff Officers and hes gonna show it to general long. Street long street read the note and it back to le and said not yet. Lee now is going to send his first letter to grant. Hes gonna ask grant what terms hes gonna offer if and when leaf feels its necessary to surrender. Leaves kind of giving himself the option to decide when its to do to do that. Hes not gonna leave it up to grab. It started to retreat from Cameron Church about 11 00 in the evening at april 7th. They withdraw towards new store and on the way gordon score would take the lead along streets men would start to bring up the rear. At 10 00 in the morning of april 8th, lee receives grants second letter. Then the second letter, grant said the only connection i have a surrender, is that you shall be disqualified for taking up arms against the government of the United States into a proper a property exchange. Grant said levy in his second lease would send his second letter to grant excuse me and in this letter lee is not conceding that his omission needed surrender. Now a start starts talking a ground about terms of peace. Not surrounding is army but overall peace in the country itself. Long street reported it in the march, we pass abandoned wagons in flames artillery burning sometimes in the middle of the road. One of my battery commanders reported his forces were too weak to haul its guns. He was ordered to bury their guns and cover them. Cover their burial places with old leaves and fresh wood. Long streak will also or issue a general order on april 8th and this general order reminds his Division Commanders of the standard marching procedures. Troops will march in the manner laid down in the topics. Foremans line and stack arms. Straggler will be prevented by the axis of every exertion. So even now on april 8th, long street is looking towards the discipline and efficiency of his troops. So everything saying standard procedure even at this point in everything thats going on. And in the four nude of april 8th, something really extraordinary from long streets point of view is going to cure. Brigadier general william pendleton, the chief of artillery for the Northern Virginia light on reported he approached law street is a messenger from several highranking officers with a proposal of the united that the cars have become so hopeless. And not right moreover to have cameras left their entire trial of missing the idea or terms with the enemy. Now at first long street descended dissented. But a Second Thought prefer that he himself should be represented with the rest. Now is a statement in 1873, as long as hes going to refuse more as an 1898. For one more story his account was the earliest is with the most reliable and not long streets. Travelers pemberton tells a story in a speech they gave it at a university on january nine, 1873. I was the same top and which he accused long streak of disobeying leads not attack order here at gettysburg which we know never happened. So if you can disprove that, i tend to take long streets position more than anything else. Long street as a said denied the charge, and his version im not surprised i turn and ask if he did not know that the order articles of war provided officers of soldiers who ask Commanding Officers to surrender should be shot. So generally does no one to surrender, he will never know. Theres another part of this. That is according to ap alexander, according to alexander, pam premiered and said it is long as we are being reproach refuse. As parental to me. Lost feet said his core was still able to whip four times its numbers. As long as that was so, he should never suggested surrender. He was there to back up not to pull them down. So long street has some backing here for his account for ebay alexander. What exactly was lost we talking about about pemberton possibly being shot for what he suggested . Following regulations the regulations come from the army of the Confederate States of america. Except for the United States, the word for word whats in the United States army regulations. Article seven for example states and a officer soldier who shall begin excite cause or join in any mutiny or sedition and any trooper company in the service of the Confederate States horn any party post, shall suffer death or such other placement by courtmartial shelby inflicted. Article 59. If any commander of any garrison fortress or post will be compelled by the officers and soldiers under his command to give up to the enemy, or to abandon, it the commissioned officers, not convicted officers or soldiers who shall be convicted, of having so offended, shall suffer death or of any such punishment, that shall be afflicted upon them by send into the courtmartial. Article 83 his conduct unbecoming an officer in the gentleman. Back in the civil war they did have a nice general article. Article 99 the prices of good order and military discipline. After he throw this in for good measure. And this todays corner. It be couldve been charged with five defenses. Including in conspiracy, unique, subordinate, conduct unbecoming an officer in a gentleman, and a general article. So those articles are still left over from the civil war. But on the night of april 8th, lee would have a conference with john brown gordon, long street and fifth sly. This is gonna be lees last military conference. They discuss the possibility of breaking out from appomattox courthouse. Lee leaves at this point the only troops in front of him or cavalry and gordons troops along with the cavalry can push them aside and he can continue with his retreat. On the morning of april 9th, grant was sent off a third letter to lee at daybreak and granted this point has to tell le that since he has no authority to treat on the subject of peace, what lee proposed could lead to no good and grant is going to cancel. So now le knows there is no official meeting with grant alesci now specifically asked for it. The battle of appomattox courthouse will begin at 5 00 in the morning of april 9th. Gordons manner able to clear the the road, and they find its backed up by strong forces with infantry. General or its army of the james is approaching in the fifth corps of atomic under griffin is also approaching. Gordons will be driven back. It atm in the morning, call to leaves headquarters. According to long street, he stood at the embers of some burnt rails. Spoke at once of the affairs in the front and the laws of this obsessive subsistence. I asked the very sacrifice of his army couldnt anyway help the cause in the quarters. He thought not. And i said your situation speaks for itself. As long as we be in command of the rearguard, its about two miles away from appomattox the courthouse, a new old church. And hes confronting humphreys second core a at the potomac. The headquarters have been established in or near pleasant retreat and pleasant retreat stood until about 2011. I was involved and heavy thunderstorm that blew the back wall of the house but the rest of the house remained intact. But the owners decided not to save it sophie go looking for pleasant retweet today, this is what you will find. The house was demolished. Remember somebody reading that this have been lease headquarters, that would be International Drive to save it. But because it was launched, tweets nobody cared. So thats what you find today. Long streak is going to point out the troops in, the general humphreys was with the second army of the potomac preparing for action against the rare guard. The situation was embarrassing. It was bad enough that before others could prepare for action. There are choose it could not prevail however to calm me to quiet while the enemy in plain view was preparing for attack. So we continued our work constructing the best line of defense. The general is going to report at the appomatox courthouse, the division was in the rear with the enemy closeup. Its organization was perfect. It was not at all demoralized. Not more than four men dug stragglers during the trying march from petersburg. Long street ordered parts of the rear guard forward to support advance forces, and corrected general alexander to establish them as part of his batteries, in the best position for support or valiant, in case the front lines were forced back. That was the last line of battle as his men are flying back to the appomatox courthouse to rally on the alexanders line. Lee had written towards New Hope Church along the lynch bergh road. He rode through long streets line under a flag of truce, because that is where he was going to meet grant. That is when his staff officer received grants third letter, and lead responds with his third letter. Now lee is going to state that he requests an interview in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. Lee now faces no option but to surrender his army of Northern Virginia. But skirmish years are approaching where lee is remembered in between the two lines. Lee is waiting for grant to come back and union skirmishes are advancing on him. That is when he has to leave. He sends a message to general meet and meat sends one back and suggests that lee sent a fourth letter to grant. And this was sent through sheridans lines. Grant has moved from lees rear to leads front. That is why meat suggest sending another letter through sheridans line, it will get to him quicker. And least fourth letter says i requested interview at such time a place that you would designate to discuss the terms of the surrender of this to have such an interview. Then lee remembers he had not notified gordon, or even long street about a truce and suspending hostilities. He now authorizes gordon and a long street to organize a truce pending surrender. Long streak is going to send captain robert and sims with a truce flag, nothing more than a white towel that sims had purchased enrichment before the retreat. Sims carried the flag to gordon, informs him of the authorization for the flag of truce. Gordon had sims return hes going to receive the flag of troops from sims, and as sims returns to gordon, who wanted him to ride in a different direction, but sims being long streets officer reports back to long street. Now coming into the line under his own flag of truce is general kuster. He goes to general long street who is with alexanders battle line. And according to long streets account, cluster came writing up and said, in the name of general sheridan, i demand the Unconditional Surrender of this army. He was reminded that i was not the commander of the army, that he was within the lines of the enemy without authority, disrespecting an officer and disrespecting general grant as well as myself. And if i was in command of the army, i would not receive the message of general sheridan. He then became more moderate, saying it would be a pity to have more blood upon that field. Then i suggested that the truce be respected and said as you are now more reasonable, i will say general lee has gone to me general grant and it is for them to determine the future of the armies. He was satisfied and road back to this command. This is the way long street described it. Other officers who were present paint quite a different picture. In fact, when it count has long street telling kuster if he wants to attack, long street turn to some of the Staff Officers and ordered just in case. When kuster heard that, he decided to back off, at which point long streak made the statement that young man is never going to play the game of rag. Because picketts division did not exist. He is playing poker at this point. Im giving you long streets own account from his memoirs. Kuster himself is merely going to state, drawing back skirmish years, we have almost gained possession of the trains where staff officer of general long streets came galloping into our line under a flag of truce, requesting a suspension of hostilities after making a prosper disposition of my course to repel or make an attack, the truce was agreed to sow instructions could be received from the proper authority. No written evidence from kuster that he rode into long streets line. But long street said he actually did. At 11 00 in the morning, jumping ahead here, there is a conference of officers in front of the at the mattocks courthouse on april 9th. As soon as long street approached advanced and was introduced him by general sheridan. They mediately retire together and had a an interesting conversation. It was arranged that hostilities should not be resumed, and no troops removed from their positions on either side until due and timely notice could be given by general long street. Among the federal officers at this meeting were ordered, share it, and given, airs, griffin, bartlett and crook. And on the confederate side where long street, gordon, keith, wilcox, and john fairfax, a member of long streets staff. Lee is going to receive grants last letter at 1 00 in the afternoon, and grant will inform lee that this state at this moment at 11 50 is received. He told lee he would push forward to the front of meeting. You grant said i will know where to meet you. Lee and long street are back at the site. Theyre talking about this message from grant when the flag of choose comes up with the federal officer to take lee to the appomatox courthouse for the meeting with grant. As le is getting ready to ride away, long street said the conversation continued into row consensus until the dispatcher he seemed apprehensive to the demands. I suggested that that event, he should break off the interview and tell general grant to do his worst. So here while meat is arranging to discuss surrender, he is telling grant to do i get to tell him to come on and give us everything hes got. We will beat him on the field of the battle and settle things that way. Long street is still, if the situation requires, it is going to be very aggressive it he has to be. Of course we all know whats going to happen next. Lee will meet with grant at the appomatox courthouse and surrender the army of Northern Virginia. As lee is writing back from the surrender towards his lines, from force of habit, salutations greeted him when it quieted, as suddenly as it arose. The road was packed by troops as he approached, men with hats off, heads bowed down. As he passed, they raised their heads and looked upon him. Those who could find voice said goodbye. Those who could not speak and were near passed their heads over the sides of traveler. He rode with his hat off and had sufficient control to fixes eyes on a line between the ears of travelers and looked neither to right nor left until he reached a large white oak tree, where he dismounted to make his last headquarters, and finally talked a little. Longstreet its going to report it soon after the return ride, his chief of ordinance reported a large amount of United States currency in his possession. Proper disposition of the funds, generally sent the officer to ask my opinion, as it was not known or included in the capitulation and was due and ten times more, to the faithful troops. I suggested distribution of it. The officer afterwards brought 300 dollars as my part. I took 100 dollars and asked to have the balance be distributed among the division. The troops most distant from the homes. Keep in mind, one brigade approach the division is the texas brigade. Those guys had a long way to go to get back home. On april ten, long streak is going to order his men to stack their arms in the fields across from where they are, and that is to avoid any conflict with the federal officers or soldiers. General mead is going to write that among others, he met lee and longstreet and many old friends from the army. Lee and grant agreed to appoint three commissioners each to work out surrender details. On the confederate side, there would be long street, gordon, and william pendleton. On the northern side, there would be john griffin, excuse me, john gibbon, charles griffin, and wesley merit. Colonel charles reports that at a tavern, i saw a long streak, pickett, gordon heath and a number of other generals. On april 10th. Long streets is going to report that at the Maclean House where the generals were meeting, grant had temporary headquarters set up in the surrender room. As i was passing through the room, as one of the commissioners, general grant looked up, recognized me, rose, and with his old time cheerful greeting gave me his hand. And after passing a few remarks, offered a cigar, which was greatly received. Grant himself simply wrote, hear the officers seemed to enjoy the meeting as much as though they had been friends separated for a long time, while fighting battles under the same flag. After an hour passed in the way, i set out on horseback. So grant is sitting out on horseback. Someone is reminding him that he hadnt told the secretary about the surrender, so grant wrote a message to the secretary state and informing him of what had gone on. John gibbon, in his account of the surrender proceedings, said that john gordon started making a speech. Because the federalists had been so liberal, gordon felt it is his personal honor that the confederates gave live liberal interpretation to every question. Good bins and long street sat still and said nothing when gordon sat down, he remarked quietly that he opposed the surrender, to include all troops belonging to the army made his escape at any artillery beyond 20 miles from appomatox courthouse at the time of the surrender. This proposition was once accepted by unanimous consent. One of long street staff captain tcja corden from texas reported that he decided to go home via new York New Orleans and galveston. I was encouraged to do this to by general long street. Propose this route for himself. Lee would break up his headquarters on april 11th but before riding off hes going to say farewell to some of his officers. Again captain gordon while generally was about to depart from richmond, a great many of his old officers called his headquarters to bid him goodbye. Generally passed around, he had some pleasant room remarks to make the each one of the bid goodbye. I was standing next to general long street and he warmly embraced a general and turning to me and shaking my hand and said, captain im going to put my old war harris under your charge. I want you to take good care of him. The final surrender volleys army take place on april the 12th. First soldier will be standing at shoulder arms. Law streets command would be the last to surrender that appomattox. Theres no evidence that long streak and selfless at the surrender site but after all this was over, long streak is going to leave. He arrived in lindbergh, virginia on april 14th. Thats where his family was staying in, ghana stay there with relatives. On june 1st of 1865, former general james long street will welcome james long street junior, one of his children. To give you an idea of how confusing things can get in a war especially towards the end of it, on may the 12th, 1865, colonel w. Age dickie sent a message to captain w. H. O. Clap from by you stare in louisiana. He wrote chip davis, benjamin, tran home, another prominent officers, of the confederate government across the river of mississippi one week ago today im 13 miles above for that. Lieutenant general onstreet accompanied, theres no doubt whatever the truth of this information. This message was sent may 12th. He was actually may 10th and near the mississippi. Things can get a little confusing towards the end of a war. Actually i made the 24th, he wanted to go to washington d. C. And important business. And on the 25th, you would take the amnesty off but he was accepted by the president s proclamation and referring to lincolns proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction of december 8th, 1863. Through participated in the existing rebellion. Exemptions including highranking maxillary officers and all those who resigned commissions in u. S. Armynavy to join the confederacy. Both of which apply to james long street. He was granted pardon in june of 1867. And all political disabilities were room via act of congress on june 24th of 1860. A lens launched legally lundberg in 1865. Accompanied would be as a dj gory, his son john garland and any growth servant. They arrive the generals brothers house, William Legan street near cleveland, georgia until i 13th. Long streak would see a decline 3000 foot new mouthed yonah. Thats a highest point in georgia. Probably near the top ten. Today is known for rock climbing. As you can see from the summit here. So two and half mile walking trail up to the summit. Course in 1865, they didnt have any of that. So people are questioning why general long street chose to cleanse mountain to begin with. Some people would say that just after four years of war and after appomattox and everything else, the general needed some kind of challenge to be. And this was a chance to climb the mountain. Now granted, hes not climbing the matter or anything like that, but its not an easy ascent. In fact captain gory went up with them so we had a fine extensive view of the surrounding country. But the ascent was so difficult and we were so exhausted when we reach the summit as not to be able to enjoy it to the full extent staying extent. In the post war years because of the pardon in the disability being released, long streak is going to go back to serve his country. Keep in mind that long streamed lived from 1821 to 1904. He died just two days short of 84th birthday. And in that time he graduated from west point, serve this country in the mexican war, served as a Lieutenant General of the Confederate Army in the civil war and then would serve his country again, as postmaster of janesville georgia, u. S. Marshal of georgia. Minister to turkey and ending his life as a u. S. Railroad commissioner. When he replaced ramped and another former confederate general. But long street and trying to sum up the Appomattox Campaign is going to state, the difficulties with which my troops labored under under this campaign were very great. From the time we left richmond until the time we reach coralville, they were entirely out of rations. They had to find subsistence in any way they could. Continuous night marching along roads accompanied by wagons had very much to fatigue them. They submitted most cheerfully to all these private actions and maintained throughout that soldierly spirit which distinguishes them. I want to thank you folks for joining us this afternoon. Does anybody have any questions at this point about anything of talked about . clapping clapping every saturday on 8 pm eastern on American History and cspan 3 going over different classroom and hear about different topics america ranging from the American Revolution, civil rights, the American Revolution and 9 11. Thanks for your patience and logging into class. With most college cow classes close to the impact of the coronavirus, watch professors transfer teaching to a virtual setting to engage with their students. Gorbachev did most of the work to change the soviet union. But reagan met him halfway, reagan encouraged him reagan supported him. Freedom of the press which well get to later i should just mention. Madison originally called it freedom of the or use of the press and its the freedom to print things and published, things it is not a freedom for what we now refer to institutionally as the process. Lectures in history on American History tv on cspan three. Every saturday at 8 pm eastern lectures in history is also available as a podcast. Find it where you listen to podcasts. Weeknights this month. Were featuring American History tv programs as a preview of whats available every weekend on cspan three. In 2015 for our american artifact series, we travel about 45 minutes west of new orleans to visit with a plantation in wallace louisiana. To learn about the history of slavery in america. Following is a conversation hosted by tom or jeffersons mounted cello, he focuses on depictions on slavery and jeffersons life have changed over recent deck decades. Watch frightening in eight eastern. And enjoy American History tv this weekend every weekend on cspan three. Up next on the civil war, the National Museum of civil war medicine host an online conversation about soldiers use and access to coffee during the war. Museum employees jake win and kyle doubleteam compare the experience of union and confederate soldiers and take your questions via chat. The National Museum of civil war medicine provided this video. Good morning everyone, thanks for joining us on this new program were trying out. Were having a morning conversation over. Coffee and kyle delta, the membership and a coordinator yeah im jake when, im the director of interpretation for the