_The Armies Transferred to Richmond and Petersburg--Gen. Lee's surrender--Citizens Return Home--Action of the Council--Fredericksburg Again Under the Old Flag--The Assassination of President Lincoln Denounced and Deplored--Reconstruction Commenced--An Election Set Aside--The Iron-Clad Oath--All Offices Vacated and Strangers Appointed--The Financial Condition of the Town--The Town Again in the Hands of its Citizens--Splendid Financial Showing, &c._ At the conclusion of the battles around Spotsylvania, during which time Fredericksburg was the base of supplies for the Federal army, the two armies moved south and the scenes of war were transferred from Fredericksburg to Richmond and Petersburg. From the time the main armies moved south to the close of the war Fredericksburg was first in the Federal lines and then in the Confederate lines. After the base of supplies for the Union army was moved from Fredericksburg to City Point about the only troops that visited the town were scouting or raiding parties, and be it said to their credit very little damage to property was done by them. Communication was kept up all the time with Richmond and the citizens were not without hope that the Federal army would be driven back and the scenes of war transferred to other parts. But these hopes were delusive. General Grant was constantly receiving reinforcements, until he had over 200,000 men, by which he was enabled to extend his lines, while General Lee's small army, not exceeding 45,000 men, was becoming smaller and his lines of battle thinner by reason of casualties, resulting from daily engagements with the enemy. In consequence of this he was unable to hold his long lines against the vigorous attacks of General Grant.