article_snippet.sent: The spirit of CNN)President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural was self-evident on April 9, 1865 -- 150 years ago -- when Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee dramatically surrendered Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee approximately 28,000 troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia.  
article_snippet.sent: The historic meeting between Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee began with pleasantries about the weather and Grant and Lee mutual service in the bloody Civil War.  
article_snippet.sent: Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, in fact, had to abruptly remind Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia about the diplomatic business at hand.   
article_snippet.sent: After all, The historic meeting between Grant and Lee were at Appomattox Courthouse to hash out terms of surrender.
article_snippet.sent: Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia purposely ended up being generous to Confederate soldiers.
article_snippet.sent: Even rations were provided by Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia for Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's hungry soldiers.
article_snippet.sent: It was Palm Sunday and in the spirit of Christian reconciliation Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia ordered that no celebration occur within Union Army ranks.  
article_snippet.sent: The Confederates were now our prisoners," Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse (McLean House) in Virginia wrote, "and our did not want to exult over The Confederates downfall.
article_snippet.sent: The myth-making about Appomattox started from the moment Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee left Appomattox Courthouse on Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee horse to travel to Richmond.   
article_snippet.sent: Surrendering hadn't been easy for Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.  
article_snippet.sent: With no real home, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee rode to Richmond, depressed and destitute, rendezvousing with Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee sick wife Mary Curtis Lee at a spare apartment.  
article_snippet.sent: Remarkably, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee didn't express bitterness in public.
article_snippet.sent: When news reached Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that Lincoln had been murdered, in fact, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was distraught, calling it "a crime" that was "unexampled" and "deplorable.
article_snippet.sent: Although much remained unresolved between the victors and vanquished, Appomattox Courthouse became a symbol of unity, just like the "Star Spangled Banner" from the War of 1812.
article_snippet.sent: After being present at Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's dramatic surrender at Appomattox, Walker, a battle-fatigued Confederate, laid down Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee rifle and journeyed back to red-clay, Georgia, traveling mainly on foot, passing ragged clusters of Rebel amputees, many hobbling on bayonet crutches, others with arms or heads swathed in bandages and all heading in the same direction: home.
article_snippet.sent: All American eyes should be fixated on Appomattox today.  
highlights_snippet.sent: 150 years ago on April 9, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House .
  