Paul M. Krueger

Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War.

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ㅤOn the morning of April 9, 1865, Confederate General John B. Gordon’s corps attacked Union cavalry, initially pushing them back. However, the Confederate advance stalled upon encountering the Union XXIV and V Corps. Seeing these fresh troops, Confederate cavalry withdrew, and Union forces began advancing on both Gordon’s and Longstreet’s corps. Gordon informed Lee his corps was exhausted and needed heavy support, leading Lee to the realization that surrender was inevitable. Despite some opposition, including concerns that other Confederate armies would follow suit, Lee decided to seek surrender terms from General Grant, sending a flag of truce. An initial demand for unconditional surrender by General Custer was rebuffed by Longstreet, who stated General Lee was meeting with Grant to determine the armies’ future.

ㅤLee and Grant corresponded to arrange the surrender meeting, with Grant allowing Lee to choose the location. They settled on the McLean House in Appomattox Court House. Grant arrived in a simple uniform and offered generous terms: Confederate officers and men would be paroled, allowed to keep sidearms, horses, and personal baggage, and permitted to return home undisturbed as long as they observed their paroles and laws. Grant also provided food rations and allowed the men to keep their horses and mules for spring planting. The formal surrender ceremony on April 12 saw Union General Joshua L. Chamberlain order a salute to the surrendering Confederate troops, an act praised by Confederate General Gordon as a sign of respect, though its historicity has been debated. Approximately 28,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered their arms at Appomattox.