Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 3.

[563] left with General Weitzel, on his departure from Richmond,

April 6, 1865.

authority to allow “the gentlemen who have acted as the Legislature of Virginia, in support of the rebellion, to assemble at Richmond and take measures to withdraw the Virginia troops and other support from resistance to the General Government.” A safeguard was given. The fugitives returned, with the Governor, but instead of performing in good faith what had been promised in their name, they began legislating generally, as if they were the legal representatives of the people of Virginia. So soon as notice of this perfidy was given to the President after his return to Washington, he directed Weitzel to revoke the safeguard, and allow “the gentlemen who had acted as the Legislature of Virginia” to return to private life. The surrender of Lee had, meanwhile, made the contemplated action unnecessary. The President was blamed by the loyal people for allowing these men to assemble with acknowledged powers; and the Confederates abused him for dissolving the assembly.¹

The President returned to Washington City on the day of Lee's surrender, where he was the recipient of a multitude of congratulations because of the dawn of peace. On the 11th he issued proclamations, one declaring the closing, until further notice, of certain ports in the Southern States, whereof the blockade had been raised by their capture, respectively; and the other, demanding, henceforth, for our vessels in foreign ports, on penalty of retaliation, those privileges and immunities which had hitherto been denied them on the plea of according equal belligerent rights to the Republic and its internal enemies. On the same evening, Washington City was brilliant with bonfires and illuminations because of the surrender of Lee. The Executive Mansion was filled with light; and there, to a vast assemblage of citizens, the President spoke earnest words concerning the past and the future — the last words with which he ever publicly addressed the people orally. He took that occasion to set forth his views concerning the reorganization of society in the States wherein rebellion had existed, in which he evinced an entire absence of bitterness of feeling toward those who had conspired and rebelled; and he remitted to Congress all questions connected with the political reorganization of States, and their representation in the National Legislature. On the following day an order was issued from the War Department, which had been approved by General Grant, putting an end to all drafting and recruiting for the National army, and the purchase of munitions of war and, supplies; and declaring that the number of general and staff officers would be speedily reduced, and all military restrictions on trade and commerce be removed forthwith.

This virtual proclamation of the end of the war went over the land on the anniversary of the evacuation of Fort Sumter,

April 14.

while General Anderson was replacing the old flag over the ruins of that fortress.² Preparations for a National thanksgiving were a-making, and the atmosphere of the Republic, so to speak, was radiant with sunlight, when a