Appomattox Court House

April 9, 1865 · Eastern Theater

Phases

1. 1Apr 2–8 — The Last RetreatApril 2–8, 1865
2. 2Apr 9, Dawn — The Last AttackApril 9, 1865 — 5:00 to 10:00 AM
3. 3Apr 9, Afternoon — McLean’s ParlorApril 9–12, 1865

April 2–8, 1865

Out of Petersburg and Richmond, the Army of Northern Virginia — 30,000 starving men — races west for rations and a rail line south to join Johnston. Grant’s pursuit is merciless: Sheridan’s cavalry rides parallel, south of the column, heading it off. At Sailor’s Creek on April 6 a quarter of the army — 7,700 men and eight generals — is cut off and captured; watching survivors stream past, Lee asks aloud, “My God! Has the army been dissolved?” On the 8th, Custer seizes Lee’s ration trains at Appomattox Station.

• ➤Army of Northern Virginia — One week west — Richmond to Appomattox
• ●Sailor’s Creek, Apr 6 — a quarter of the army captured
• ➤Sheridan’s cavalry — Rides parallel, south of the column — heading it off
• ●Appomattox Station — Custer takes the ration trains, Apr 8