The historic surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House effectively ended the American Civil War in the eastern theater and symbolized the beginning of national reconciliation.

The surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House marked one of the most pivotal moments in American history. On April 9, 1865, after four long years of civil war, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia laid down their arms in a small Virginia village, effectively ending the American Civil War in the eastern theater.

This historic moment didn't just represent a military victory - it symbolized the beginning of the nation's healing process. Grant's generous surrender terms, which allowed Confederate soldiers to return home with their private horses and side arms, demonstrated a spirit of reconciliation that would be crucial in the years to come. The events at Appomattox Court House set the stage for the formal reunification of a country torn apart by its bloodiest conflict.

The Confederate army's last stand began with the evacuation of Richmond on April 2, 1865, marking the beginning of a week-long retreat that would culminate at Appomattox Court House.

Confederate forces abandoned Richmond after Union troops breached the Petersburg defenses on April 2, 1865. Lee's army of 28,000 soldiers retreated westward along the Appomattox River, attempting to reach supplies in Lynchburg. During their withdrawal, Confederate troops faced severe shortages:

Resource Shortages	Impact on Troops
Food Rations	1/4 normal portions
Ammunition	60% depleted
Horses	40% loss rate

Grant's forces launched an aggressive pursuit with 80,000 troops moving along parallel routes to cut off Lee's escape. The Union cavalry under Sheridan blocked the Confederate path at these key locations:

• Captured supply trains at Amelia Court House on April 4

• Seized Sailors Creek crossings on April 6

• Blocked rail lines at Appomattox Station on April 8

• Encircled remaining escape routes by April 9

• Daily cavalry raids on Confederate columns

• Strategic positioning of infantry divisions

• Targeted artillery bombardments at river crossings

• Continuous disruption of Confederate supply lines

The surrender meeting between General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant occurred at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865. This pivotal encounter took place in a private residence that became a symbol of national reconciliation.

The McLean House, owned by wholesale grocer Wilmer McLean, served as the meeting location for the historic surrender. The brick house sat on a hill in the village of Appomattox Court House, featuring a central hall floor plan with symmetrical rooms on each side. Located at the intersection of Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road and the Appomattox Court House-Lynchburg Road, this two-story structure provided a neutral setting for both generals.

The formal surrender proceedings began at 1:30 PM when General Lee, dressed in a new uniform with a ceremonial sword, arrived at the McLean House. Grant entered the house at 1:45 PM, wearing a mud-splattered field uniform without ceremonial sword. The two generals engaged in a 25-minute meeting where they discussed surrender terms in the McLean's front parlor. Key details of the surrender terms included:

Surrender Terms	Details
Arms Surrender	Confederate soldiers surrendered weapons and military equipment
Private Property	Officers kept side arms, private horses and personal baggage
Parole Status	All officers and men received paroles to return home
Food Provisions	Union forces provided 25,000 rations to Confederate troops
Time Frame	Official surrender ceremony conducted on April 12, 1865

The formal document was written by Colonel Ely Parker, Grant's military secretary, and signed by both generals. After the signing, Union officers maintained a respectful silence as Lee departed, establishing a tone of dignity that characterized this historic moment.

The formal surrender agreement at Appomattox Court House included specific conditions designed to promote peace and reconciliation between the Union and Confederate forces. General Grant established terms that balanced military necessity with compassionate treatment of the defeated army.

The surrender terms reflected Grant's strategic approach to ending hostilities while preserving dignity. Confederate officers retained their side arms, private horses, and personal baggage. Officers received written paroles allowing them to return home unmolested. The Confederate military equipment, including artillery pieces, small arms and ammunition, transferred to Union control. Grant permitted Confederate soldiers to keep their horses and mules, recognizing their need for spring planting.

Union forces provided 25,000 rations to the hungry Confederate troops immediately after the surrender. Confederate soldiers received printed parole passes, protecting them from arrest during their journey home. Union soldiers displayed restraint, following Grant's orders to avoid celebrating or humiliating their former opponents. The Confederate troops stacked their weapons and furled their battle flags in formal ceremonies on April 12, 1865, receiving dignified treatment from Union forces. Federal authorities supplied transportation assistance to help Confederate veterans return to their homes across the South.

Surrender Terms Details	Numbers/Facts
Confederate Rations Provided	25,000
Length of Surrender Meeting	25 minutes
Date of Formal Surrender Ceremony	April 12, 1865
Confederate Officers Allowed	Side arms, horses, personal baggage

Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House triggered a cascade of Confederate surrenders across the South. The capitulation of the Army of Northern Virginia marked a decisive turning point that accelerated the end of the Civil War.

The surrender of Lee's army catalyzed the dissolution of other major Confederate forces. General Joseph Johnston surrendered his army to William T. Sherman in North Carolina on April 26, 1865. Confederate forces in Alabama under Richard Taylor surrendered on May 4, while Edmund Kirby Smith's Trans-Mississippi army capitulated on May 26. The surrenders encompassed over 175,000 Confederate troops across multiple states.

Confederate Force	Commander	Surrender Date	Location
Army of Tennessee	Johnston	April 26, 1865	North Carolina
Department of Alabama	Taylor	May 4, 1865	Alabama
Trans-Mississippi	Smith	May 26, 1865	Texas

Lee's surrender established a framework for peaceful reunification. Grant's lenient surrender terms created a model for subsequent Confederate surrenders:

• Protection of Confederate soldiers' dignity through paroles
• Preservation of officers' sidearms property
• Distribution of food rations to surrendered troops
• Integration of Confederate veterans into civilian life
• Prevention of retribution against former Confederate soldiers

The respectful treatment at Appomattox influenced post-war policies toward the South. Union soldiers shared rations with their former enemies demonstrating a spirit of reconciliation that extended beyond military necessity. This approach helped initiate the process of healing between North South laying groundwork for reunification.

The Appomattox surrender marked a pivotal moment in American history, transforming from a military conclusion into a powerful symbol of national reconciliation. This historic event established a framework for peaceful reunification that resonates throughout American culture.

The McLean House, where Lee surrendered to Grant, stands preserved as part of the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. The National Park Service reconstructed the original McLean House in 1949 after archaeological studies confirmed its exact location. The site features:

• Original foundation stones from the 1848 structure

• Period-accurate furniture replicating the surrender meeting setup

• Preserved artifacts including the McLean family's personal items

• Documentation center housing primary source materials from April 9, 1865

• Daily living history demonstrations featuring period-dressed interpreters

• Annual April 9th ceremonies marking the surrender anniversary

• Educational programs reaching 100,000+ visitors annually

• Historical reenactments of the surrender meeting

• Special exhibitions showcasing Civil War artifacts

Visitor Statistics	Annual Numbers
Park Visitors	100,000+
School Groups	25,000+
Special Events	12-15 events
Living History Programs	200+ annual programs

• General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865
• The surrender took place at McLean House, with the formal meeting lasting 25 minutes between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM
• Grant offered generous surrender terms, allowing Confederate soldiers to keep their horses, side arms, and personal property while providing 25,000 rations for the troops
• The formal surrender ceremony was conducted on April 12, 1865, marking the effective end of the Civil War in the eastern theater
• Lee's surrender triggered a chain reaction, leading to additional Confederate surrenders across the South throughout April and May 1865
• The event became a symbol of national reconciliation, establishing a framework for peaceful reunification between North and South

Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House stands as one of the most pivotal moments in American history. The event's significance lies not just in the military outcome but in the spirit of reconciliation it fostered between North and South.

Grant's generous surrender terms and the dignified proceedings at McLean House set a precedent for peaceful reunification that resonates to this day. The preservation of this historic site and its continued role in education ensures that future generations understand the profound impact of this moment on American unity.

The lessons of Appomattox remind us that even after the most bitter conflicts there's always hope for healing and reconciliation. This enduring message continues to make the surrender a compelling symbol of national renewal and peace.