Question

What do you think Grant was saying about what it means to be an American when he stated, "The war is over. The rebels are our countrymen again"?

Answer 1

Answer?:

On April 7th, after the Confederates had suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, Grant asked Lee to surrender and declared any “further effusion of blood” was solely Lee's responsibility. Lee, still believing he could escape Grant, declined to surrender

Answer 2

Explanation:Lee and Grant, both holding the highest rank in their respective armies, had known each other slightly during the Mexican War and exchanged awkward personal inquiries. Characteristically, Grant arrived in his muddy field uniform while Lee had turned out in full dress attire, complete with sash and sword. Lee asked for the terms, and Grant hurriedly wrote them out. All officers and men were to be pardoned, and they would be sent home with their private property–most important, the horses, which could be used for a late spring planting. Officers would keep their side arms, and Lee’s starving men would be given Union rations.

Shushing a band that had begun to play in celebration, General Grant told his officers, “The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again.” Although scattered resistance continued for several weeks, for all practical purposes the Civil War had come to an end.