The Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 99 views

The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in the nation's history, a conflict that pitted brother against brother and tested the very fabric of the United States. The war was fought between the Union (the northern states) and the Confederacy (the southern states) from 1861 to 1865, with the Union ultimately emerging victorious. But what exactly happened at the end of the war, and who was responsible for the surrender of the Confederacy?

The Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

The Civil War ended with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee, not General Ulysses S. Grant, at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia on April 9, 1865. This event marked the effective end of the war, as Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was the largest and most powerful Confederate army still in the field. Grant, who was the commander of the Union Army, had been pursuing Lee's army for weeks, and the two generals had finally met at Appomattox Courthouse.

The Background to the Surrender

In the spring of 1865, the Union Army had been making significant gains against the Confederacy. Grant's army had captured the key city of Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, and was now closing in on Lee's army. Lee, realizing that his army was outnumbered and outgunned, had begun to retreat towards the west, hoping to link up with other Confederate forces. However, Grant's army was too strong, and Lee's army was eventually cornered at Appomattox Courthouse.

The Surrender Negotiations

On April 8, 1865, Grant and Lee met at the home of Wilmer McLean, a local resident, to discuss the terms of the surrender. Lee, who was aware of the hopelessness of his situation, had come to the meeting with a sense of resignation. Grant, on the other hand, was determined to bring a swift end to the war and to treat Lee and his soldiers with dignity and respect. The two generals spent several hours discussing the terms of the surrender, with Grant agreeing to allow Lee's soldiers to return home with their personal belongings and to be paroled, rather than being taken prisoner.

The Aftermath of the Surrender

The surrender at Appomattox Courthouse marked the effective end of the Civil War. Over the next few weeks, other Confederate armies surrendered, and the war finally came to an end. The surrender had a profound impact on the nation, as it marked the beginning of a new era of Reconstruction and the abolition of slavery. The war had been a devastating and bloody conflict, with over 600,000 soldiers killed and countless civilians affected. However, it had also brought about a new era of freedom and equality for African Americans, and had paved the way for the United States to become the powerful and prosperous nation it is today.

The Legacy of the Surrender

The surrender at Appomattox Courthouse is remembered as a pivotal moment in American history. It marked the end of a brutal and devastating conflict, and paved the way for a new era of peace and prosperity. The surrender also highlighted the importance of dignity and respect in war, as Grant's treatment of Lee and his soldiers set a new standard for the treatment of prisoners of war. Today, the Appomattox Courthouse is a national historic site, and is visited by thousands of people each year. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our history and learning from the mistakes of the past.

The Myth of General Ulysses S. Grant

So, why did the myth that General Ulysses S. Grant was responsible for the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse arise? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, Grant was a prominent figure in the Union Army, and his name was well-known throughout the country. Secondly, Grant's army had been instrumental in the capture of Richmond and the eventual surrender of Lee's army. Finally, Grant's reputation as a skilled and effective military leader had been built up over the course of the war, and it was natural that he would be associated with the surrender.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Civil War ended with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, not General Ulysses S. Grant. The surrender marked the effective end of the war, and paved the way for a new era of peace and prosperity. The legacy of the surrender continues to be felt today, as it serves as a reminder of the importance of dignity and respect in war, and the importance of preserving our history and learning from the mistakes of the past.

Key Takeaways

The Civil War ended with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse.
The surrender marked the effective end of the war and paved the way for a new era of peace and prosperity.
The legacy of the surrender continues to be felt today, as it serves as a reminder of the importance of dignity and respect in war, and the importance of preserving our history and learning from the mistakes of the past.
General Ulysses S. Grant was not responsible for the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, despite the myth that has arisen around this event.

References

McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
Catton, B. (1968). A Stillness at Appomattox. Doubleday.
Grant, U. S. (1885). Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant. Charles L. Webster and Company.

Image Credits

Image of Appomattox Courthouse: National Park Service.
Image of General Robert E. Lee: Library of Congress.
Image of General Ulysses S. Grant: Library of Congress.
The Civil War: A Q&A Guide ==========================

The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in the nation's history, a conflict that pitted brother against brother and tested the very fabric of the United States. The war was fought between the Union (the northern states) and the Confederacy (the southern states) from 1861 to 1865, with the Union ultimately emerging victorious. But what exactly happened during the war, and what were the key events and figures that shaped its outcome? Here are some frequently asked questions about the Civil War:

Q: What was the main cause of the Civil War?

A: The main cause of the Civil War was the disagreement over slavery and states' rights. The southern states, which relied heavily on agriculture and slavery, wanted to protect and expand the institution of slavery, while the northern states, which were more industrialized and had a smaller number of slaves, wanted to abolish it.

Q: Who were the main leaders of the Union and the Confederacy?

A: The main leaders of the Union were President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant, while the main leaders of the Confederacy were President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee.

Q: What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg?

A: The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the war, as it marked the first major defeat of the Confederacy and the beginning of the end of the war. The battle was fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, and resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 soldiers.

Q: What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

A: The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, which declared that all slaves in the Confederate states were free. However, it did not apply to border states or areas under Union control.

Q: What was the significance of the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse?

A: The surrender at Appomattox Courthouse marked the effective end of the war, as it was the last major Confederate army to surrender. The surrender was negotiated by General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant, and it paved the way for the Reconstruction era.

Q: What were the key events of the Civil War?

A: Some of the key events of the Civil War include:

The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12-13, 1861)
The Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
The Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862)
The Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862)
The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
The Battle of Vicksburg (May 18-July 4, 1863)
The Battle of Atlanta (July 22, 1864)
The Battle of Appomattox Courthouse (April 9, 1865)

Q: What were the key figures of the Civil War?

A: Some of the key figures of the Civil War include:

Abraham Lincoln: President of the United States
Ulysses S. Grant: General-in-Chief of the Union Army
Robert E. Lee: General-in-Chief of the Confederate Army
Jefferson Davis: President of the Confederate States
Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist and orator
Harriet Tubman: Abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader

Q: What were the consequences of the Civil War?

A: The consequences of the Civil War were far-reaching and profound. Some of the key consequences include:

The abolition of slavery
The Reconstruction era
The rise of the Ku Klux Klan
The loss of life and property
The strengthening of the federal government
The expansion of civil rights and liberties

Q: What can we learn from the Civil War?

A: The Civil War teaches us many important lessons, including:

The importance of preserving our history and learning from the mistakes of the past
The dangers of division and conflict
The importance of protecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens
The need for compromise and reconciliation in times of conflict
The importance of preserving our national unity and integrity.

References

McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
Catton, B. (1968). A Stillness at Appomattox. Doubleday.
Grant, U. S. (1885). Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant. Charles L. Webster and Company.

Image Credits

Image of the Battle of Gettysburg: Library of Congress.
Image of the Emancipation Proclamation: National Archives.
Image of the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse: National Park Service.
Image of Abraham Lincoln: Library of Congress.
Image of Ulysses S. Grant: Library of Congress.
Image of Robert E. Lee: Library of Congress.
Image of Frederick Douglass: Library of Congress.
Image of Harriet Tubman: Library of Congress.