Lee's Last Campaign

The narrative recounts the final campaign of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, describing deteriorating morale, trench lines before Petersburg, the series of battles and assaults that broke Confederate positions, and the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg followed by the retreat to Appomattox Court House. It reproduces official correspondence and an account of the interview between the commanding generals, lays out the terms of surrender and the stacking of arms, and presents the farewell address delivered to the troops. Eyewitness details emphasize soldierly exhaustion, battlefield action around key forts, and the conduct of commanders during the surrender.