The Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia: A Pivotal Moment in the American Civil War

The American Civil War, a conflict that tore the United States apart from 1861 to 1865, reached a decisive turning point in April 1865 with the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee. This momentous event signaled the end of the Confederacy and the triumph of the Union.

Appomattox: The Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia

by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1362 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages

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Prelude to the Surrender

As the war progressed, General Ulysses S. Grant, the commander of the Union Army, relentlessly pursued Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. After a series of grueling battles, Grant's forces surrounded Lee's army at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

The Negotiations at Appomattox Court House

On April 9, 1865, Lee sent a message to Grant proposing a meeting to discuss terms of surrender. Grant agreed, and the two generals met at the McLean House in Appomattox Court House.

During the negotiations, Lee and Grant displayed mutual respect and a desire to end the bloodshed. Lee surrendered his approximately 28,000 troops, as well as their arms and supplies. Grant allowed the Confederate soldiers to keep their horses and personal possessions and promised to provide food for their return home.

The Significance of the Surrender

The surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia marked a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. It effectively ended the fighting and signaled the impending collapse of the Confederacy. The surrender preserved the Union, and it paved the way for the reconstruction of the nation.

Aftermath of the Surrender

The surrender of Lee's army led to the rapid surrender of other Confederate forces throughout the country. President Abraham Lincoln, who had long been working for peace and reconciliation, was assassinated only a few days after the surrender.

The Reconstruction Era that followed was a complex and often tumultuous time as the nation grappled with the legacy of slavery and the rebuilding of the war-torn South. However, the surrender at Appomattox Court House stands as a pivotal moment that brought the nation one step closer to healing and unity.

The surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia was a momentous event that marked a turning point in the American Civil War. The courage and diplomacy displayed by Generals Grant and Lee paved the way for the end of the conflict and the eventual reunification of the United States. The surrender remains a testament to the resilience of the nation and the enduring power of peace and reconciliation.

Appomattox: The Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia

by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1362 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages

FREE