The Wilmer McLean House

This house was the scene of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia by General Robert E. Lee, to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War. The two men were strikingly different in appearance. Lee was perfectly dressed in a new Confederate uniform with a fine sword at his hip and handsome spurs on his boots; Grant was battle weary, in a plain uniform of blue, with no sword or spurs, wearing mud spattered pants and boots. His terms of surrender, under instructions from President Lincoln, were generous. Lee's officers and men would be paroled and permitted to go home. Officers could keep their sidearms, and the men their horses for spring plowing.

Ironically, Mr. McLean had moved from Manassas, the site of two major battles, to get away from war.

Appomattox Court House, Virginia

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This watercolor painting is part of a larger historical painting series by Kay Smith, Artist Laureate of Illinois.
Visit Kay Smith's website to see additional paintings.