Civil War End

The American Civil War (also called the War Between the States) ended in April 1865. About 1,556,000 soldiers served in the Federal armies, which suffered a total of 634,703 casualties (359,528 dead and 275,175 wounded). About 800,000 men served in the Confederate forces, which sustained approximately 483,000 casualties (about 258,000 dead and 225,000 wounded). General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army of North Virginia, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, commander-in-chief of the Union Army, ending four years of war. Grant drew up very unselfish terms of surrender. The Confederate soldiers were permitted to keep their horses and go free to their homes; the Confederate officers were allowed to retain their swords and sidearms.