What did Ulysses S. Grant feel like when general Robert e lee surrendered?

Answer 1

Rather solemn - in fact, he told his men to stop cheering.

He could feel that it was a historic moment, and it brought out the noble side in what was normally a very plain character.

He gave remarkably lenient terms to Lee - no jailings or hangings, on condition that his men handed in their weapons and signed the pledge not to take up arms against the USA.

Answer 2

Mighty relieved - and probably glad that Grant had given him generous terms. (Lincoln had said"Let 'em up easy")

At the theatre, just five days later, Mary Lincoln said she had never seen her husband looking so happy and relaxed.

Answer 3

General in Chief Robert E. Lee must have had many thoughts during his surrender to US Grant in 1865. Lee was a warrior from a military family. He may have been thinking about how the war could have been continued if not for Jefferson Davis. During the Overland campaign and the Siege of Petersburg, Lee had strong opinions on how to save the war for the South. He was aware that being tied to the defense of Petersburg and Richmond, was a losing struggle. He had advised Confederate President Davis to abandon Richmond, and allow the Army of Northern Virginia to march westward into the Appalachian Mountains. There, he could replenish his army and make it difficult for Lieutenant General US Grant to follow him there.Davis could have moved the capital with Lee or establish it in a safer place.

Davis,however, was a stubborn man and refused to abandon Richmond. Lee's idea might have saved the war for the South. If Lee's army had indeed escaped from Grant's forces, the North would be in a difficult position. Certainly the war would have lasted at least six more months or more.

Answer 4

As he set off from his camp, he said "I would rather die a thousand deaths."