April 9, 1865: Robert E. Lee Surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant

By Callie Oettinger

April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. This followed the Union’s shattering of the Confederate forces during the April 6, 1865 Battle of Saylers Creek, which caused Lee to ask:

“My God, has the army dissolved?”

Parole of General Robert E. Lee and Six of his Staff Officers: 04/09/1865.
Credit: National Archives.

Poster with reprint of Robert E. Lee’s farewell address to the Army of Northern Virginia: April 10, 1865.
Credit: The Library of Congress.

Transcript for Articles of Agreement in Regard to the Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia Under General Robert E. Lee: 04/10/1865.
Credit: www.ourdocuments.gov.

Appomattox Court House Virginia
April 10, 1865

Agreement entered into this day in regard to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to the United States Authorities.

1st The troops shall march by Brigades and Detachments to a designated point, stock their Arms, deposit their flags, Sabres, Pistols, etc. and from thence march to their homes under charge of their Officers, superintended by their respective Division and Corps Commanders, Officers, retaining their side Arms, and the authorized number of private horses.

2. All public horses and public property of all kinds to be turned over to Staff Officers designated by the United States Authorities.

3. Such transportation as may be agreed upon as necessary for the transportation of the Private baggage of Officers will be allowed to accompany the Officers, to be turned over at the end of the trip to the nearest U.S. Quarter Masters, receipts being taken for the same.

4. Couriers and Wounded men of the artillery and Cavalry whose horses are their own private property will be allowed to retain them.

5. The surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia shall be construed to include all the forces operating with that Army on the 8th inst., the date of commencement of negociation for surrender, except such bodies of Cavalry as actually made their escape previous to the surrender, and except also such forces of Artillery as were more than Twenty (20) miles from Appomattox Court House at the time of Surrender on the 9th inst.

Amnesty Oath of Robert E. Lee: 10/02/1865.