In April of 1865 General Lee of the Confederate States of America surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant in Appomattox, Va. The long war was finally reaching its conclusion. In an impromptu ceremony Lee signed the surrender papers and Grant accepted them. Respect between Lee and Grant was genuine and when Lee did not offer his sword as part the surrender Grant never requested it.
After the ceremony Grant directed his men to issue 28,231 parole passes to allow Lee's surrendered troops freedom to return to home and rebuild rather than remain as prisoners of the United States of America. The war ended shortly thereafter and reconstruction of the south began. There were those in the north who wished to pursue Lee and charge him with treason as they had Confederate President Jefferson Davis. It was Grant who quashed the effort with the statement,
"I will resign the command of the army rather than execute any order to arrest Lee."
-Professor Walter
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