Lee's army lost 1/4 of its force on April 6, 1865

More than 8,800 Confederates had lost their lives in the final significant engagement of the war in Virginia by the time the dust had cleared on April 6. One of the greatest armies to have been captured or surrendered without suitable terms during the entire conflict was made up of about 7,700 of those. This dealt a serious blow to Lee's army, which had been reduced to just 30,000 soldiers that morning. The number of casualties is estimated at up to a quarter of its force.

Lee and Mahone's division returned to a cliff above the battlefield when a sizable portion of the Confederate Army failed to report to Rice's Station and he started to hear rumors of the defeat developing at Sailor's Creek. Lee shouted, "My God, has the army dissolved?" in front of Major General William Mahone as he saw the survivors flowing down the road. "No, General, there are troops eager to fulfill their duty," General Mahone retorted. Lee told Mahone that he was moved by his men's loyal service "Indeed, there are still some good men around. Please let those people go back."