Why does lee surrender to grant

The next day, Lee issued General Order No. I ask a suspension of hostilities pending the discussion of the Terms of surrender of this army in the interview which I requested in my former communication of Today. Armies Your obt servt. After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yeild [ sic ] to overwhelming numbers. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them.

But feeling, that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that would compensate the loss that would attend the continuance of the contest — I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose finest services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement Officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged.

You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection — With unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell. The two military leaders agreed to meet under a truce at the home of Wilmer McLean in Appomattox on the afternoon of April 9.

A sharply dressed Lee and Lieutenant Colonial Charles Marshall arrived first, followed by a slightly disheveled Grant and his officers, a group that included Robert Todd Lincoln. The generals had met once before during the Mexican-American War, and they briefly chatted about the experience. The generous surrender terms avoided potential trials of Confederate leaders and served as a blueprint for other surrenders that followed. After the papers were signed, Lee and Grant shook hands.

Lee abandoned Richmond on April 2nd, , and began a slow retreat westward under continuous pressure from Union General Ulysses S. Following this action, Grant sent a letter to Lee seeking to end further bloodshed by requesting the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Lee was surrounded. With his soldiers starving and deserting daily, Lee wrote to Grant on the morning of April 9th, requesting a cease-fire and a place to discuss terms of his surrender. At first the conversation was polite, then Lee brought the meeting to the topic at hand - his surrender.