General Lee and,
General Grant
At
Appomattox !!! April, 9, 1865
One of the most famous and moving tableaux of American history was the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant, at the end of the America Civil War.
Under the constant and overwhelming pressure of General Grant's forces during the 9 month siege, General Lee
Dropped back from Petersburg in early April 1865.
Realizing that further fighting would be pointless and waste of life, General Lee agreed to meet with General Grant on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House.
Dignified to the end, General Lee appeared in a new dress uniform with an embroidered red sash, ( his polished boots held gold spurs ).
General Grant, showed up with
( Muddy Boots ) and a ( slouch hat ), but he was gracious, even admiring, of his old adversary.
General Grant said to General Lee :
I met you once before, General Lee, when we were serving in Mexico. I have always remembered your appearance, and I think I should have recognized you anywhere.
The Terms Of Surrender were simply that the Confederates lay down their arms.
General Lee hinted that his men might need their horses for Spring planting, General Grant, Agreed !!
General Grant offered to send rations to General Lee's emaciated Army.
Then astride his horse Traveller, Lee rode through His Ranks
( Men ) he said :
We have fought the war together, and I have done the best I could for you.
My heart is too full to say more.
General Grant recalled that he :
Felt like any rather than rejoicing at the down fall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly.
The two sides saluted each other, and the Confederates staked their Arms.
And so with great chivalry and honor, two men set the tone for the peace ahead, bringing about the end of a major hostilities !!
General Grant, commanded Union Forces from 1864 until end of Civil War.
Then he became US president in 1869 until 1877.
Grant's memoirs are considered among the finest of Military Autobiographies !!
Faissal Elmasri
Orlando / Florida
July 2014
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