Lee's Surrender at Appomattox

1865-04-09Appomattox Court House, Virginiahigh importance

On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Lee's army had been retreating for over a week, starving and outnumbered. Grant offered generous terms: Confederate soldiers could go home, keep their horses, and would not be prosecuted for treason. Officers could keep their sidearms. When Union soldiers began firing celebratory cannons, Grant ordered them to stop, saying "The war is over. The rebels are our countrymen again." Though some Confederate forces fought on briefly, Lee's surrender effectively ended the Civil War.

Key Takeaways

Effectively ended the Civil War after four years of fighting

Grant's generous surrender terms promoted reconciliation

Set the stage for Reconstruction and reunification of the nation

Key Figures

Robert E. Lee

1807-01-19 – 1870-10-12

Commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War.

Ulysses S. Grant

1822-04-27 – 1885-07-23

Union Army commander who won the Civil War and 18th President.

Abraham Lincoln

1809-02-12 – 1865-04-15

16th President who preserved the Union and abolished slavery.

Sources

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/appomattox-court-house