Summary

Chapter 22 describes the end stages of the Overland Campaign to capture Richmond. Grant continued to tie Lee’s forces in Richmond while Sherman and Sheridan captured other cities and armies throughout the South, including Wilmington, NC and Columbia, SC. Sensing their dire position, Confederate leaders opened peace talks with Lincoln but were unwilling to accept an end to slavery as a condition of their readmittance, thus the discussions failed. Following his second inauguration, Lincoln travelled to Grant’s headquarters at City Point to plan the end of the war. Lincoln, Grant, and the other Union officials present were all optimistic and in good spirits. The one exception to this was Lincoln’s wife Mary, who displayed her characteristic temper and lashed out frequently at Lincoln and his advisors.

Chapter 23 focuses on the capture of Richmond and Lee’s surrender, the end of major...