Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, April 4, 1865 – 8 a.m.

CITY POINT, VA., April 4, 1865 — 8 a.m.*

(Received 8.45 a.m.)

Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

General Weitzel telegraphs from Richmond that of railroad stock he found there 28 locomotives, 44 passenger and baggage cars, and 106 freight cars. At 3.30 this evening General Grant, from Sutherland's Station, ten miles from Petersburg toward Burkeville, telegraphs as follows:

General Sheridan picked up 1,200 prisoners to-day, and from 300 to 500 more have been gathered by other troops. The majority of the arms that were left in the hands of the remnant of Lee's army are now scattered between Richmond and where his troops are. The country is also full of stragglers; the line of retreat marked with artillery, ammunition, burned or charred wagons, caissons, ambulances, &c.

 A. LINCOLN.

_______________

* Probably written before midnight of April 3.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I Volume 46, Part 3 (Serial No. 97), p. 544-5