Thursday, April 9, 2015

The Surrender of Lee to Grant-- Part 3

After conversing about their Mexican War experiences, Lee asked for the terms upon which his surrender would be accepted.  Grant replied:  "The terms I propose are those stated substantially in my letter of yesterday, --that is, the officers and men surrendered to be paroled and disqualified from taking up arms again until properly exchanged, and all arms, ammunition and supplies to be delivered up as captured property."

Lee agreed to the terms and Grant then wrote them out.  He specifically provided that Confederate officers would be permitted to keep their side arms, horses and luggage.  This exemption was further broadened at Lee's suggestion, to permit the men in the ranks to retain their horses and mules.

Lee observed that these exemptions "were very gratifying and will do much toward conciliating our people."

The long and bitter war was ending ashore, although fiery drama still awaited in far off Northern seas (CSS Shenandoah).

--Old B-R'er

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