Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

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Desperate Times

By April 9th, 1865, Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was in a state of desperation. Union forces had occupied both Petersburg and the Confederate capital of Richmond and Lee's army was forced west in a last-ditch attempt to join forces with Confederate General Joseph Johnston in North Carolina. The Confederate government had fled toward Danville in southern Virginia.

Lee's Last Stand; Surrender on Generous Terms

Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant cut off Lee's retreat at the village of Appomattox Courthouse. Lee originally thought his pursuers only consisted of cavalry, but when it became clear the cavalry was backed by two infantry corps, and that his weak, tired, and bedraggled army was in no shape to continue the fight, Lee had no choice but to surrender. His only option was to negotiate as favorable terms as possible for this army. On the afternoon of April 9th, Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant in the parlor of the Wilmer McLean House. Surrender terms authorized by Ulysses S. Grant were generous. No soldiers in Lee's army would be imprisoned or punished. Officers were allowed to keep their pistols and soldiers were allowed to keep their horses. In addition, Grant provided rations and food to the starving Confederate army.

Lee Surrenders to Grant

Lee Surrenders to Grant

Although there would be several small skirmishes following Lee's surrender, the Confederacy was defeated and within the next two months, it would be completely dissolved.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was Lee’s army trying to move west after the fall of Richmond?
  2. What convinced Lee that he had to surrender at Appomattox Courthouse?
  3. How were Grant’s terms of surrender generous, and why might that have been important?
  4. How did Lee’s surrender mark the beginning of the end for the Confederate government?

Desperate Times

By April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army was in serious trouble. Union forces had taken over both Petersburg and Richmond, forcing Lee’s army to retreat west in hopes of joining another Confederate army in North Carolina. The Confederate government fled to Danville, Virginia.

Lee's Last Stand and the Surrender

Union General Ulysses S. Grant blocked Lee’s escape at Appomattox Courthouse. Lee first thought only cavalry were following him, but when he saw Union infantry too, he knew his army was too weak to keep fighting. On April 9, Lee met with Grant at the home of Wilmer McLean and surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia.

Generous Surrender Terms

General Grant gave kind surrender terms to Lee’s army. Soldiers were not punished or put in prison. Officers could keep their pistols, and all soldiers could keep their horses. Grant also gave food to the hungry Confederate troops.

The End of the Confederacy

Although a few small battles happened after Lee’s surrender, the Confederacy was finished. Within two months, it had completely fallen apart.
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