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"There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths."
— Robert E. Lee, reported statement to staff prior to surrender, April 9, 1865
"I ask a suspension of hostilities pending the discussion of the Terms of surrender of this army."
— Robert E. Lee letter to Ulysses S. Grant to discuss surrender, April 9, 1865
Lee's Surrender at Appomattox
Lee's Surrender at Appomattox
On April 3, the capital of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia was captured by the Union army.
Six days after Richmond fell, and 95 miles away, on April 9, 1865—four years after the Civil War began and with 620,000 lives lost—General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union Army. The surrender took place in the village of Appomattox Court House, inside the private home of Wilmer McLean. The Civil War was now over; the Union was victorious. President Lincoln would make it a priority to reunite the nation and bring the Confederate states back into the Union without punishment.
The destroyed Confederate capital, Richmond Virginia
"The war is over; the rebels are our countrymen again; and the best sign of rejoicing after the victory will be to abstain from all demonstrations in the field."
— Ulysses S. Grant, statement to Union officers, April 9, 1865, after Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
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