11:50
But it was true . The messenger , bearing the flag , was now coming toward the Union lines . The herald was received within the Northern ranks , bearing a request that hostilities be suspended in order that the commanders might have time to talk over terms of surrender , and , at the same time , General Grant , who was seven or eight miles from Appomattox Court House in a pine wood , received a note of a similar tenor , the nature of which he disclosed to his staff amid much cheering . The Union chief at once wrote to General Lee : Your note of this date is but at this moment -LRB- 11:50 A. M. -RRB- received , in consequence of my having passed from the Richmond and Lynchburg road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road . I am at this writing about four miles west of Walker 's Church , and will push forward to the front for the purpose of meeting you . Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the interview to take place will meet me . It was a characteristic and modest letter , and yet the heart under the plain blue blouse must have beat with elation at the knowledge that he had brought , what was then the greatest war of modern times , to a successful conclusion .