The Clear Foresight
On the 2d of April, 1865, the President was at City Point, Grant’s headquarters, until he started forth for the culminating series of ceaseless strokes. That morning, attack along the whole line had been commanded, and the President telegraphed to his wife, at the capital, during the raging battle. He knew that already the hostile lines had been pierced in one or more places, and that Sheridan’s cavalry rush was supported by a division of infantry. He concludes foreseeing that at length “pegging away” was over and slugging begun:
“All is now favorable!”
In truth, on that same day, the rebel government at Richmond faded thence like a mirage, and, within one week, General Lee surrendered his enfeebled relic of a grand army.