Tuesday, April 9, 2024

APRIL 9TH IN HISTORY

 

Lee Surrenders

“It would be useless and therefore cruel,” Robert E. Lee remarked on the morning of April 9, 1865, “to provoke the further effusion of blood, and I have arranged to meet with General Grant with a view to surrender.”

 

The two generals met shortly after noon on April 9, 1865, at the home of Wilmer McLean in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief of all United States forces, hastened the conclusion of the Civil War.

 

Regardless of which side of history you side with in any specific conflict, it is something to celebrate when men of war call it quits in order to save lives.

 

I’m commemorating April the 9th today, with the hope that all who rejoice in raising arms will consider how much greater the alternative is.


9 comments:

Vijaya said...

Amen! Michael is reading a biography of Lee right now. A fascinating man.

Evelyn said...

Well said.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Oh, how true. A day of peace when the conflict ends is one to be celebrated and remembered.

Elizabeth Varadan said...

So true. Thanks for this post.

Barbara Etlin said...

I agree.

janlcoates said...

So nicely put. My mantra lately: "What is wrong with people?"

Sue said...

Thanks for sharing!

MirkaK said...

Amen! May it come to pass.

debi o'neille said...

Thanks for sharing. I definitely agree.