The Battle of Appomattox Courthouse was the final engagement of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia before surrendering to Ulysses S. Grant. The surrender signaled the end of the American Civil War. Appomattox Court House, Va. ... The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... The court house The Appomattox Court House is a historic court house located in Appomattox, Virginia famous as the site of the surrender of the Confederate Army under Robert E. Lee to Union commander Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the American Civil War. ... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... National Motto Deo Vindice ( Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Official language English de facto nationwide Various European and Native American languages regionallyweeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861– May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861– April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3– April 10, 1865fo realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Largest city New... Ulysses Simpson Grant ( April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American Civil War general and the 18th ( 1869– 1877) president of the United States. ... For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. ... Generals Burnside, Hancock, Couch, Ferro, Patrick, Wilcox, Cochrane, Buford and others. ... The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of unites from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the last opperations of the Civil War in Virginia. ... The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War in the eastern theater. ... Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Conflict American Civil War Date March 31, 1865 Place Dinwiddie County Result Confederate victory On March 29, with the Cavalry Corps and the II and V Corps, Sheridan undertook a flank march to turn Gen. ... Battle of Five Forks Conflict American Civil War Date April 1, 1865 Place Dinwiddie County Result Union victory The Battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865, was the final Union offensive in the American Civil War. ... For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. ... The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War in the eastern theater. ... Ulysses Simpson Grant ( April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American Civil War general and the 18th ( 1869– 1877) president of the United States. ... The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ...

Background

On April 1, 1865, Major General Philip Sheridan's cavalry turned Lee's flank at the Battle of Five Forks. The next day Grant's army achieved a decisive breakthrough, effectively ending the Siege of Petersburg. Lee abandoned Petersburg and Richmond and headed west to Appomattox Station, where a supply train awaited him. From there he hoped to move south to join with Joseph E. Johnston's army in North Carolina. On April 8, Union cavalry under George A. Custer captured and burned three supply trains waiting for Lee's army at the Battle of Appomattox Station. Now both the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James were converging on Appomattox. April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Philip Sheridan Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888), a military man and one of the great generals in the American Civil War. ... Battle of Five Forks Conflict American Civil War Date April 1, 1865 Place Dinwiddie County Result Union victory The Battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865, was the final Union offensive in the American Civil War. ... Troops in the Siege of Petersburg faced the usual siege armaments — projectiles of all shapes and sizes and attacks on fortifications — but the Union added underground explosives to the mix. ... Several places in the United States of America have the name Petersburg: Petersburg, Illinois Petersburg, Indiana Petersburg, Iowa Petersburg, Michigan Petersburg, Nebraska Petersburg, Ohio Petersburg, Virginia Petersburg, West Virginia Slight variations appear in the names of: Petersburgh, Alaska Petersburgh, New York Saint Petersburg, Russia Saint Petersburg, Florida Petersburg is also... Richmond may refer to multiple places: Australia Richmond, New South Wales Richmond, Queensland Richmond, Tasmania Richmond, Victoria (also Richmond railway station) Canada Richmond, British Columbia Richmond, Ontario Richmond, Prince Edward Island Richmond, Quebec federal electoral districts: Richmond (electoral district), British Columbia (current) Richmond (Nova Scotia electoral district) (historic) Richmond (Quebec... Joseph Eggleston Johnston (February 3, 1807 - March 21, 1891) was a military officer in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, whose effectiveness was undercut by tensions with President Jefferson Davis. ... State nickname: Tar Heel State Other U.S. States Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Governor Michael Easley Official languages English Area 139,509 km² (28th)  - Land 126,256 km²  - Water 13,227 km² (9. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (99th in leap years). ... The Union Army refers to the United States Army during the American Civil War. ... George Armstrong Custer George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 - June 25, 1876) was an American cavalry commander in the Civil War and the Indian Wars who is best remembered for his defeat and death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn against a coalition of Native American tribes, led by... Generals Burnside, Hancock, Couch, Ferro, Patrick, Wilcox, Cochrane, Buford and others. ... The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of unites from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the last opperations of the Civil War in Virginia. ...

The road to Appomattox

With his supplies at Appomattox destroyed, Lee now looked to the railway at Lynchburg, where more supplies awaited him. The Union army was closing in on Lee, but all that lay between Lee and Lynchburg was Union cavalry. Lee hoped to break through the cavalry before infantry arrived. His hopes restored, he sent a note to Grant saying that he did not wish to surrender his army just yet but was willing to discuss how Grant's terms would affect the Confederacy. Grant, with a throbbing headache, stated that "it looks as if Lee still means to fight." The Union infantry was close, but the only unit near enough to support Sheridan's cavalry was the XXIV Corps of the Army of the James. This corps traveled 30 miles in 21 hours to reach the cavalry. Major General Edward O. C. Ord, commander of the Army of the James, arrived with the XXIV Corps around 4:00 a.m. with the V Corps close behind. Sheridan deployed three divisions of cavalry along a low ridge to the southwest of Appomattox Court House. Lynchburg is an independent city located in the state of Virginia. ... The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of unites from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the last opperations of the Civil War in Virginia. ... Edward Otho Cresap Ord (1818-1883) was the designer of Fort Sam Houston, and a United States army officer who saw action in the Seminole War, the Indian Wars, and the Civil War. ... The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of unites from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the last opperations of the Civil War in Virginia. ... The V Corps (Fifth Corps) was a unit of the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. ...

The last battle

At dawn on April 9, the Confederate Second Corps under John B. Gordon attacked Sheridan's cavalry and quickly forced back the first line. The Confederate cavalry under Fitzhugh Lee moved around the Union flank. The next line, held by Ranald S. Mackenzie and George Crook, fell back. Gordon's troops charged through the Union lines and took the ridge. As they reached the crest of the ridge they saw the entire Union XXIV Corps in line of battle with the V Corps to their right. Fitz Lee's cavalry saw the Union force and immediately withdrew and rode off towards Lynchburg. Ord's troops began advancing against Gordon's corps while the Union II Corps began moving against James Longstreet's corps to the northeast. Soon Longstreet and Gordon would be fighting back to back. Lee finally stated "…there is nothing left, but to go and see General Grant, and I had rather die a thousand deaths". April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ... John Brown Gordon John Brown Gordon ( February 6, 1832 – January 9, 1904) served as one of Robert E. Lees most trusted generals during the Civil War. ... Fitzhugh Lee in the Civil War Fitzhugh Lee ( November 19, 1835 – April 18, 1905), nephew of Robert E. Lee, was a Confederate cavalry general in the American Civil War, governor of Virginia, diplomat, and U.S. Army general in the Spanish-American War. ... Ranald Slidell Mackenzie was once called the most promiscing young officer in the entire Union army. ... Portrait of George Crook George Crook (1828–1890) was a Union Army officer. ... There were five corps in the Union Army designated as II Corps (Second Corps) during the American Civil War. ... James Longstreet James Longstreet (January 8, 1821 – January 2, 1904) was one of the foremost generals of the American Civil War, and later enjoyed a successful post-war career working for the government of his former enemies, as a diplomat and administrator. ...

Many of Lee's officers, including Longstreet, agreed that surrendering the army was the only option left. The only notable officer opposed to surrender was Lee's chief of artillery, Edward Porter Alexander, who prophetically stated that if Lee surrenders then "every other [Confederate] army will follow suit". At 8:00 a.m., Lee rode out to meet Grant, accompanied by three of his aides. With gunshots still being heard on Gordon's front and Union skirmishers still advancing on Longstreet's front, Lee received a message from Grant. After several hours of correspondence between Grant and Lee, a cease-fire was enacted and Grant received Lee's request to discuss surrender terms. Lee's aid, Colonel Charles Marshall, was sent to find a location for Grant and Lee to meet. Marshall selected the home of Wilmer McLean, ironically the same man who was forced to lend his home to General P.G.T. Beauregard at the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the war. Edward Porter Alexander Edward Porter Alexander (May 26, 1835 – April 28, 1910) was an engineer, an officer in the U.S. Army and Confederate States Army, an author, and a railroad executive. ... Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard (BOH-rih-gahrd) (May 28, 1818 – February 20, 1893), best known as a general for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, was also a writer, civil servant, and inventor. ... First Battle of Bull Run Conflict American Civil War Date July 21, 1861 Place Fairfax County and Prince William County Result Confederate victory The First Battle of Bull Run, referred to as the First Battle of Manassas in the South, (July 21, 1861) was the first major land battle of...

The surrender

Dressed in an immaculate uniform, Lee waited for Grant to arrive. Grant, whose headache had suddenly disappeared when he received Lee's note, arrived in a dirty private's uniform with only his shoulder straps showing his rank. Suddenly overcome with sadness, Grant found it hard to get to the point of the meeting and instead the two generals briefly discussed a previous encounter during the Mexican War. Lee brought the attention back to the issue at hand, and Grant offered the same generous terms he had before—that the officers and men of Lee's army were to surrender and be paroled, and all arms were to be gathered as captured property. After writing down the terms, both generals signed the document of surrender. As Lee left the house and rode away, Grant and the other officers removed their hats. Union artillery began to salute, but Grant quickly put an end to it. The Mexican-American War was a war fought between the United States and Mexico between 1846 and 1848. ...

The formal surrender of arms

On April 10, Lee gave his farewell address to his army. The same day a six-man commission gathered to discuss a formal ceremony of surrender, even though no Confederate officer wished to go through with such an event. Brigadier General Joshua L. Chamberlain was the Union officer selected to lead the ceremony. As General John B. Gordon passed, followed by the famous Stonewall Brigade, Chamberlain gave the order to salute. Gordon reared his horse and facing Chamberlain touched his sword to his toe returning the salute. Chamberlain said "It was honor answering honor." 27,805 Confederate soldiers passed by that day and stacked their arms. April 10 is the 100th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (101st in leap years). ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Maj. ... John Brown Gordon John Brown Gordon ( February 6, 1832 – January 9, 1904) served as one of Robert E. Lees most trusted generals during the Civil War. ...

Aftermath

Roughly 175,000 Confederates remained in the field across the country. Just as Porter Alexander had stated, it was only a matter of time before the other Confederate armies began to surrender. Johnston's army in North Carolina, with which Lee had hope to combine forces, surrendered to William T. Sherman on April 26. Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department in May and Stand Watie surrendered the last sizable organized Confederate force on June 23, 1865. Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ... Portrait of Edmund Kirby Smith during the Civil War Edmund Kirby Smith (1824–1893) was a general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, notable for his command of the western Confederacy after the fall of Vicksburg. ... The Trans-Mississippi Department, also known as the Trans-Mississippi Theater or Trans-Mississippi District, was the Confederate military designation for the geographic area of operations west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. ... May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... Stand Watie (12 December 1806-9 September 1871) was a brigadier general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

See also

Appomattox Court House The court house The Appomattox Court House is a historic court house located in Appomattox, Virginia famous as the site of the surrender of the Confederate Army under Robert E. Lee to Union commander Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the American Civil War. ...

Sources

• Korn, Jerry, editor. Pursuit to Appomattox: The Last Battles (1987)
• National Park Service battle description (http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va097.htm)