The historic surrender at Appomattox Court House marked the effective end of the American Civil War when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. The meeting took place at the McLean House and established terms that would help reunite the divided nation.
The historic surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, marked a pivotal moment in American history that effectively ended the Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant brought the nation's bloodiest conflict to a close and set the stage for reunification.
After a series of devastating defeats and a weeklong retreat, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia found itself surrounded by Union forces near the small Virginia village of Appomattox Court House. With his soldiers exhausted, hungry, and vastly outnumbered, Lee realized the futility of continued resistance. The formal surrender ceremony took place in the McLean House, where both generals met to discuss the terms that would shape the nation's future.
The Final Days of the Civil War
#The Army of Northern Virginia faced dire circumstances in early April 1865. Confederate forces retreated westward from Petersburg on April 2 after Union troops breached their defensive lines.
The Pursuit to Appomattox
#Union forces under General Sheridan pursued Lee's army along the Appomattox River. The Confederate army lost 6,000 men in a decisive battle at Sayler's Creek on April 6, including eight Confederate generals captured by Union forces.
Critical Battles and Losses
#| Date | Location | Confederate Losses |
|---|---|---|
| April 2, 1865 | Petersburg | 3,000 soldiers |
| April 6, 1865 | Sayler's Creek | 6,000 soldiers |
| April 8, 1865 | Appomattox Station | 25 artillery pieces |
Confederate supply lines collapsed as Union cavalry captured their provisions at Appomattox Station on April 8. Lee's remaining forces found themselves cut off from their planned escape route to Lynchburg.
Union's Encirclement Strategy
#The Union army executed a successful encirclement:
- Sheridan's cavalry blocked the western escape route
- Union infantry advanced from the east
- Additional Union forces approached from the south
- The James River prevented movement to the north
By April 8, Lee's army retained only 25,000 men of its original 50,000 strength. The Confederate forces faced the full might of Grant's 100,000 troops positioned strategically around Appomattox Court House.
General Lee's Retreat From Richmond and Petersburg
#General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia initiated a desperate retreat from Richmond and Petersburg on April 2, 1865, after Union forces breached Confederate defense lines. The Confederate forces moved westward toward Amelia Court House, hoping to resupply and potentially join forces with General Joseph Johnston's army in North Carolina.
Union Army's Pursuit of Confederate Forces
#Union cavalry under General Philip Sheridan tracked Lee's army along parallel routes, cutting off escape paths and capturing Confederate supply trains. Major General Edward O.C. Ord's Army of the James marched along the South Side Railroad, while the Army of the Potomac pursued the retreating Confederates from the north. The Union forces maintained constant pressure on Lee's army through:
- Skirmishes at Namozine Church on April 3
- Combat operations at Amelia Springs on April 5
- Strategic blocking maneuvers at Jetersville
- Capture of supply wagons at multiple locations
The Battle of Sailor's Creek
#The Battle of Sailor's Creek on April 6, 1865, marked a devastating blow to Confederate forces, resulting in significant losses:
| Battle Statistics | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Confederate Casualties | 7,700 |
| Captured Confederate Officers | 8 |
| Lost Supply Wagons | 300+ |
| Lost Artillery Pieces | 32 |
April 9, 1865: The Day of Surrender
#On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee formally surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The surrender ceremony took place at 1:30 PM in the McLean House, marking the effective end of the American Civil War.
Meeting at the McLean House
#The McLean House, owned by Wilmer McLean, served as the backdrop for this historic meeting between the two generals. Lee arrived first, dressed in his formal gray uniform with a sword at his side, while Grant appeared later in a mud-splattered field uniform without ceremonial sword. The meeting lasted 90 minutes in the McLean's front parlor, with Grant's staff officers present to witness the proceedings.
- Confederate officers retained their side arms, private horses, and personal baggage
- Officers received parole passes to return home unmolested
- 28,231 Confederate soldiers surrendered their weapons and military equipment
- Union forces provided 25,000 rations to feed the hungry Confederate troops
- Confederate soldiers received printed parole passes allowing safe passage home
- Artillery pieces totaling 150 guns were stacked and inventoried
- Confederate cavalry soldiers kept their horses for spring plowing
| Surrender Statistics | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Confederate Soldiers | 28,231 |
| Artillery Pieces | 150 |
| Ration Packets | 25,000 |
| Duration of Meeting | 90 minutes |
The Significance of Appomattox Court House
#The surrender at Appomattox Court House marked a pivotal moment in American history, establishing the framework for national reconciliation. The terms set by General Grant created a precedent for treating defeated Confederate forces with respect while maintaining Union authority.
Impact on Confederate Forces
#The Appomattox surrender directly influenced the fate of remaining Confederate armies across the South. Following Lee's surrender, Confederate forces rapidly disbanded:
- General Joseph Johnston surrendered 89,270 troops in North Carolina on April 26, 1865
- General Richard Taylor surrendered 42,000 troops in Alabama on May 4, 1865
- General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered 43,000 troops in Texas on May 26, 1865
- General Stand Watie surrendered the last Confederate forces in Oklahoma on June 23, 1865
| Confederate Army | Surrender Date | Number of Troops |
|---|---|---|
| Johnston's Army | April 26, 1865 | 89,270 |
| Taylor's Army | May 4, 1865 | 42,000 |
| Smith's Army | May 26, 1865 | 43,000 |
End of the American Civil War
#The Appomattox surrender catalyzed the formal conclusion of the Civil War through several key actions:
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President Andrew Johnson declared the rebellion officially over on May 9, 1865
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Confederate President Jefferson Davis faced capture in Georgia on May 10, 1865
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The Union Army organized a Grand Review in Washington D.C. on May 23-24, 1865
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Federal troops established control over Confederate state capitals by June 1865
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The last Confederate commerce raider, CSS Shenandoah, surrendered on November 6, 1865
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Protection of Confederate soldiers from prosecution for treason
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Distribution of food rations to Confederate troops
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Permission for soldiers to keep private horses for agricultural use
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Issuance of parole passes ensuring safe return home
Legacy and Preservation
#The Appomattox Court House surrender site stands as a symbol of national reconciliation and peace. Its preservation ensures future generations understand the pivotal moment that reunited a divided nation.
The Historic Site Today
#The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park spans 1,700 acres in rural Virginia. The McLean House, where the surrender took place, features authentic period furnishings including the restored parlor with replica surrender tables. The site includes:
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Original village structures
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Courthouse building
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Clover Hill Tavern
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Meeks Store
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Several period homes
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Historical artifacts
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Military equipment displays
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Period clothing exhibits
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Original documents
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Surrender parole passes
| Site Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Visitors | 100,000+ |
| Protected Buildings | 27 structures |
| Original Structures | 15 buildings |
| Park Hours | Daily 9am-5pm |
| Guided Tours | Available hourly |
The National Park Service maintains interpretive programs at the site including:
- Living history demonstrations
- Educational workshops
- Ranger-led tours
- Battle reenactments
- Museum exhibits
The preservation efforts focus on maintaining the historic landscape to its 1865 appearance. Ongoing archaeological research continues to uncover artifacts that enhance understanding of this significant historical event.
Key Takeaways
#- The surrender at Appomattox Court House took place on April 9, 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant
- The formal surrender ceremony occurred at the McLean House at 1:30 PM, lasting 90 minutes and effectively ending the American Civil War
- A total of 28,231 Confederate soldiers surrendered, and Union forces provided 25,000 rations to feed the defeated troops
- Grant's generous surrender terms allowed Confederate officers to keep their side arms and horses, while soldiers received parole passes for safe passage home
- The surrender triggered a chain reaction, leading to the surrender of other Confederate armies across the South between April and June 1865
- Today, the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park preserves this historic site across 1,700 acres, including 27 structures and numerous artifacts from the period
Conclusion
#The surrender at Appomattox Court House stands as one of the most significant moments in American history. The meeting between Lee and Grant on April 9 1865 didn't just mark the end of a bloody conflict - it laid the foundation for national healing and reconciliation.
The generous terms of surrender coupled with the respectful treatment of Confederate forces helped ease the transition from war to peace. Today the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park preserves this pivotal moment serving as a powerful reminder of both the devastating cost of civil war and the enduring strength of American unity.