On April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, CSA General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to US Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant
145 years ago today, after nearly four years of pitched fighting, the CSA Army of Northern Virginia ceased to exist. General Robert E. Lee had led the army since June 1862 enjoying more victories than defeats. Now he had to do something he could barely stomach – surrender his beloved army. Meeting at Wilmer McClean’s house he received very lenient terms from U.S. Grant. Lee, on his own, saved the country from future bloodshed by not endorsing Brigadier General Edward Porter Alexander’s plan to “take to the hills,” and fight a gorilla war. Lee told his lieutenants that they needed to send their soldiers home to become good law abiding citizens. Thus ended the Civil War in the east.
For a complete narrative on Lee’s surrender to Grant click HERE.
About Michael Noirot
I grew up in the Central Illinois farming community, of Dunlap. Growing up, I played sports, tinkered with cars and enjoyed photography. While I did well in school, I did not become passionate about history until my early 30's.
I have built a large library, of books on early America, politics and the Civil War. I am an avid reader. Fortunately, I have had plenty of opportunities to travel, over the years, and have been to most of the Civil War battlefields. I work while I travel, so more often than not, I am up, in the middle of the night, to get sunrise pictures, or I will be out until well after dark, exploring Civil War battlefields.
I have other hobbies, and passions, that I really enjoy. Number one on the list would be guitar. I play my guitars on a regular basis, and enjoy the Bluegrass, and Contemporary Christian (CCM) genres. I play a style of guitar, called FLATPICKING, where using a flat pick, you play lead solos, similar to the way a fiddle would have been played during the 19th and early 20th Centuries.
Laura, my wife, and I also enjoy scuba diving, travel and spending time at our property, in the country. Lastly, we spend as much time with our families, as possible. Thanks for stopping by.
