Graciousness at Appomattox

Today in history, General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox.  What is so impressive is the magnanity displayed by many that day.

Lee and Grant, graduates of West Point, had known each other slightly during the Mexican War and exchanged awkward pleasantries. Apparently, Grant remembered more of Lee than vice versa.  Grant arrived in his muddy private's field uniform and jacket while Lee came in full formal military attire complete with sash and sword, anticipating at best to be taken captive and worst to be summarily executed as a traitor by Grant.

Lee asked for terms knowing of Grant's prediliction for unconditional surrender.  Grant hurriedly wrote them out based upon previous consultations with President Lincoln who instructed to "let them up easy" from defeat.  Grant wrote that: all officers and men were to be pardoned, and they would be sent home with their private propery; most importantly, they could keep their horses to be used for a late spring planting. Officers would be allowed to keep their side arms.  Grant offered Lee's starving men rations for which Lee was both touched and appreciative.  Lee had lost count as to the number of his soldiers remaining due to growing dessertions in recent weeks.


Lee left first, pounding his fists into his gloves as he walked onto the porch, called for Traveler, and rode out to meet his loyal soldiers for one last time.  Grant ordered silence to a band that had begun to play in celebration.  Grant told his officers, "The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again."   General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain had Union solders salute their reunited countrymen by the ordering of arms, a form of respect.