Surrender at Appomattox
After 4 long years of war, leaders on both sides could sense the end of war was near. By March 1865, Grant began to take over yet another city, Petersburg, which only helped the Union strengthen. In April of 1865, the Union army gained control and defeated the Confederate's hold on the city; soon Union leaders were able to plan and make their final moves.
Lee and his troops headed to Appomattox, Virginia in retreat, with the Union at their heels. On April 8th, General Custer and his men were able to destroy some of the trains bringing weapons and supplies to Confederate armies. This attack threw the Southern defense for a loop and cut the soldiers off from necessities.
Then, on April 9th, further attacks took place. At first, Confederate armies were able to cause Union troops to step aside and leave the area unguarded. However, as more troops came in, the Northerners were no longer outnumbered. Grant wanted to stop Lee's escape, so the soldiers came from all directions, closing the Confederate in. Seeing there was no way to avoid around the terrible fate that lay ahead, Lee made the decision to surrender.
After flags of truce were delivered, Grant and Lee met to discuss terms of surrender. Finally, after "5 Aprils", the bloodiest war in American history had finally come to a conclusion, and the nation was ready to reconnect becoming The United States.
Lee and his troops headed to Appomattox, Virginia in retreat, with the Union at their heels. On April 8th, General Custer and his men were able to destroy some of the trains bringing weapons and supplies to Confederate armies. This attack threw the Southern defense for a loop and cut the soldiers off from necessities.
Then, on April 9th, further attacks took place. At first, Confederate armies were able to cause Union troops to step aside and leave the area unguarded. However, as more troops came in, the Northerners were no longer outnumbered. Grant wanted to stop Lee's escape, so the soldiers came from all directions, closing the Confederate in. Seeing there was no way to avoid around the terrible fate that lay ahead, Lee made the decision to surrender.
After flags of truce were delivered, Grant and Lee met to discuss terms of surrender. Finally, after "5 Aprils", the bloodiest war in American history had finally come to a conclusion, and the nation was ready to reconnect becoming The United States.