In March 1865, Grant's army still waited outside Petersburg. For months, Grant had been extending his battle lines east and west of Petersburg. Lee knew it was only a matter of time before Grant would capture the city.

Lincoln, too, saw that the end of the war was near. In his second Inaugural Address, he asked Americans to forgive and forget. "With malice toward none; with charity for all; ... let us strive together ... to bind up the nations wounds."

Events Leading Up to the End of the Civil War