The Battle of Appomattox
THE CONFEDERATE COMMANDER
|
THE UNION COMMANDER
|
Robert E. Lee
Confederate Flag during 1865
Confederate Battle Flag during 1865
|
APRIL 9, 1865 IN APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, VIRGINIA: the Union Army, commanded by Ulysses S. Grant brought his troops through Virginia, forcing Robert E. Lee, the leader of the Confederates back deeper into Virginia (Appomattox Court House). Trying to bring together more Confederate troops in North Carolina, Robert E. Lee and the Confederates abandoned the capital of Richmond and retreated. As soon as this happened, the Unions cut off their retreat and they were forced to stop at Appomattox, Virginia. (The map below depicts this) (The Road to Appomattox).
Ulysses S. Grant had the Confederates surrounded. Low on supplies and ammunition, many Confederate soldiers left the war zone, causing the rest, who stayed, to be outnumbered! This forced Robert E. Lee to surrender (Appomattox Court House) (Surrender at Appomattox). Knowing this surrender would happen sooner or later, Ulysses S. Grant had talked with President Abraham Lincoln about the terms of the surrender. Lincoln made sure that there would be peace in the Union territories and made sure that the Confederates would not fight outright again! Terms of the Surrender: summed up: generous. General Grant had already discussed terms with President Lincoln (The Surrender at Appomattox). President Lincoln wanted peace to come to the Union and felt he needed to treat the Confederate soldiers such that they would not rebel again (Appomattox Court House). The terms of the surrender were gracious. Lincoln stated that the Confederate soldiers could return to their families, on one condition, they were to return all battle supplies (guns, ammunition, etc). The picture above is a copy of Ulysses S. Grant's letter summarizing the terms of the surrender that was written out by W. H. Atkinson, a clerk. Even though this specific battle was over, many of the soldiers knew that the war, as a whole, was not. On August 20, 1866 President Andrew Johnson signed a document stating that the American Civil War was over and all of America could finally be at peace (Appomattox Court House). |
Ulysses S. Grant
Union Flag during 1865
Union Battle Flag during 1865
|
CASUALITIES: Union: 260 | Confederate: 440; over 27,000 surrendered
Pictures by Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (via Facebook)
*Bibliography is under "More" in the "Bibliography" section.*