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On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee sends a letter to Union General Ulysses Grant to announce his willingness to surrender. This significant event marked the end of the Civil War. Grant engages in small talk with Lee, highlighting their shared past and common humanity. The terms of surrender include pardons for officers and men, keeping side-arms, and sending them home with private property. Grant and Lee opt for informal letters instead of a treaty for documenting the surrender terms. This gesture signifies the beginning of the Union's reconstruction. Experience this pivotal moment in history through their letters.
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Robert E. Lee Sends a Letter • April 9, 1865, Lee (confederate) send a message to General Ulysses Grant (union) • Letter announced Lee’s willingness to surrender
Lee and Grant • Lee arrived in full dress attire • complete with sash and sword • Grant arrived in muddy field uniform
Before starting, Grant engaged in small talk with Lee. Why would he do this? • Grant asked Lee if he remembered meeting him during the Mexican War. • Perhaps Grant wanted to point out how the two men once fought on the same side (to show commonality) • Make small talk, or show respect to Lee. Grant doesn’t want to rub it in his face. He is there to surrender. • Both have been through this horrible experience. It is time to move forward. Reconstruct the Union.
Terms of Surrender • Pardons for all officers and men • keep side-arms • sent home with their private property • horses and animals • provide rations for Lee’s starving men • allowed to return home, won’t be bothered by union
Letters not Treaties • Grant insisted on an informal way to document terms of surrendering • Both Lee and Grant wrote letters back and forth • Why letters? • Treaty = diplomatic recognition: • wont recognize Confederate as a sovereign nation
