Question

What important event occurred at Appomattox court house in 1865

Answer 1

In 1865, a pivotal moment in American history unfolded at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia took place in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House. This significant event signaled the end of the nation's most substantial conflict, the American Civil War. The events at Appomattox not only marked the conclusion of a brutal war but also addressed two fundamental questions about the nation's future: its survival post-civil war and its stance on slavery. The resolution at Appomattox Court House paved the way for a reborn nation, free from the shackles of slavery.

Important Event at Appomattox Court House in 1865

1. Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia:

• Date: April 9, 1865.
• Location: McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
• Significance: This surrender signaled the end of the nation's largest war, the American Civil War.

2. Impact on the Nation:

• Two critical questions were answered:
• Could the nation survive a civil war intact?
• Would the nation exist without slavery?

The answer to both questions was affirmative, leading to the birth of a new nation.

3. Additional Information:

• Appomattox Campaign: Gen. Lee's decision to surrender was the culmination of an eight-day campaign that ended at Appomattox Court House.
• Decision to Surrender: Cornered by Federal forces, General R. E. Lee had to decide whether to surrender his army and consider the terms offered by Grant.
• The McLean House: This was the chosen location for the famous surrender meeting. The house has historical significance and has undergone various changes since 1865.

Answer 2

Early on April 9, 1865 the remnants of John Brown Gordon’s corps and Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry formed a line of battle at Appomattox Court House. Gen. Robert E. Lee was determined to make one final attempt to reach his supplies at Lynchburg and escape Ulysses S. Grant’s ever-tightening noose. At dawn the Confederates advanced, initially gaining ground against Sheridan’s cavalry. The arrival of Charles Griffin’s Federal infantry, however, stopped the advance in its tracks. Lee’s army was now surrounded on three sides. After a brief engagement a Confederate horseman was seen galloping toward Union lines holding aloft a white flag. Lee had surrendered; the war in Virginia was over.