At 8 A.M. President starts for meeting with Gen. Grant in Petersburg, Va., now evacuated. Official Records—Armies 1, XLVI, pt. 3, 508; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 3 April 1865, CW, 8:384-85.

Receives message from Grant suggesting that he come to headquarters. Train is made up and takes Presidential party to Patrick Station, about mile from town. President and Tad proceed in ambulance. Barnes, "With Lincoln," 744.

Lincoln on special train receives message at Pitkin Station from Robert: "I am awaiting you at Hancock Station." Robert T. Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln, 3 April 1865, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln and Grant talk for hour and half in small house in Petersburg. Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs, 2 vols. (London: Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1886), 2:452-59; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 3 April 1865, CW, 8:385.

President returns to train and to USS Malvern, flagship of Rear Admiral Porter, in high spirits. Receives message from Gen. Weitzel in evening that Richmond is being evacuated. Barnes, "With Lincoln," 745-46.

[Weitzel takes possession of Richmond at 8:15 A.M. Official Records—Armies 1, XLVI, pt. 3, 510.]

At 5 P. M., from City Point, Virginia, located near the front lines and General Ulysses S. Grant's headquarters, Lincoln writes to his wife, Mary. The Lincoln's youngest son Tad accompanies his father. Lincoln reports on the war's progress and on a visit with their oldest son Robert. Lincoln writes, "Petersburg & Richmond are both in our hands; and Tad & I have been to the former & been with Bob four or five hours. He is well & in good spirits. Come down as you proposed." CW, 10:285.

At 5 P.M. President telegraphs Secretary of War Stanton from City Point: "Yours received. Thanks for you caution; but I have already been to Petersburg, staid with Gen. Grant an hour & a half and returned here. It is certain now that Richmond is in our hands, and I think I will go there to-morrow. I will take care of myself." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 3 April 1865, CW, 8:385.