From
“Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst
March 28
The terms of surrender
Grant presented to Lee at Appomattox were uncommonly lenient. Confederate
officers, after relinquishing their arms and artillery were allowed ‘to return
to their homes, not to be disturbed by the United States authority’ on the condition
they never again ‘take up arms’ against the Union. They were also allowed to
take their private horses as well as their side arms [‘their horses to plow
with and the guns to shoot crows with’]. This provision, Lee observed, ‘would
have a happy effect upon my army.’ As the brief meeting between the two
commanders drew to a close Lee mentioned that ‘his army was in a very bad
condition for want of food.’ Grant gave orders that 100,000 rations be provided
for Lee’s scarecrow army of 25,000 men.
‘Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.’
-William Shakespeare
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