April 9, 1865 –
General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the American Civil War, on this date. On April 5, Grant sent a message to his old college friend Lee that said, “General: The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. P.S. If you could help an old friend out, send more bourbon. I’ve finished all of the Union’s supply of that fine sippin’ whisky of yours, and I have a powerful thirst.“
Lee wrote back to say, “Though not entirely of the opinion you express of the hopelessness of further resistance … I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender. Also, expect a barrowful of the heavenly nectar with this dispatch. Please tip the delivery boy, you cheap so-and-so.”
And so they met at the Appomattox Court House on April 9, Palm Sunday, just after noon. Afterward, Lee rode back to his camp, and crowds of Confederate soldiers along the road began to weep as he passed. Little did Grant know that less than a week later, he would have the sad honor of serving as a pallbearer at the funeral of his greatest champion, Abraham Lincoln.
The Haus of Dcaligari 