vance of Sherman's Army) forces. Lee chose a small town to the westnamed Amelia Court House as a meeting point. His escape was narrow; they(the soldiers) could see Richmond burn as they made their way across theJamesRiver and to the west. Grant had finally broke through and Richmond andPetersburg were finished on the second day of April.LINCOLN VISITS FALLEN RICHMOND On April 4th, after visiting Petersburg briefly, President Lincolndecided to visit the fallen city of Richmond. He arrived by boat with hisson, Tad, and was led ashore by no more than 12 armed sailors. The cityhad not yet been secured by Federal forces. Lincoln had no more than takenhis first step when former slaves started forming around him singingpraises. Lincoln proceeded to join with General Godfrey Weitzel who hadbeen place in charge of the occupation of Richmond and taken hisheadquarters in Jefferson Davis' old residence. When he arrived there, heand Tad took an extensive tour of the house after discovering Weitzel wasout and some of the soldiers remarked that Lincoln seemed to have a boyishexpression as he did so. No one can be sure what Lincoln was thinking ashe sat in Davis' office. When Weitzel arrived, he asked the President whatto do with the conquered people. Lincoln replied that he no longer gavedirection in military manners but went on to say: "If I were in your place,I'd let 'em up easy, let 'em up easy" (Johnson, Robert Underwood, andClarence Clough Buel, eds., Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 4.New York: The Century Co., 1887). THE CHASE BEGINS Lee's forces were pushing west toward Amelia and the Federals would behot on their tails. Before leaving Richmond, Lee had asked the CommissaryDepartment of the Confederacy to store food in Amelia and the troopsrushed there in anticipation. What they found when they got there howeverwas very disappointing. While there was an abundance of ammunition andordinance, there was not a single ...
