Observation Paper: Appomattox Courthouse

Visitation Paper: Appomattox Courthouse Bringing an end to one of the most horrendous wars in American history, the Appomattox Courthouse was the surrender site of the Civil War. The southern and northern armies have been fighting one another for four long years, and leading those armies were Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Union General Ulysses S. Grant. During the spring of 1865, Lee wanted to meet with Grant in the a nearby house in Appomattox County to have a discussion, which ultimately lead to the south’s surrender to the Union. The house was owned by Wilmer McLean, and the United States National Park Service stated on the park’s website that he “decided to move his family to the relative safety” from the war, which he thought would be found in the “small village of Appomattox Court House” (“Wilmer McLean”). Amicably, Grant accepted the concession and allowed the southern states to rejoin the Union as well as let the Confederate soldiers return to their homes. The National Park Service explained on a plaque at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park that three …show more content…
My time spent at Appomattox Court House has made me realize the affect these disagreements have on American citizens, especially the common people. Focusing on the honorable actions of General Grant, I feel the people with high political power in this country should approach situations with his mindset, which looked at every citizen as equal and thought of the consequences that would be placed on them through his actions. The goal of the Civil War for Lincoln and his men was to unite the country that had been broken, and Grant achieved this goal by treating every Confederate soldier like a citizen. The Appomattox Court House symbolizes what the nation can do and be with fair treatment and