Virginia Studies Civil War

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia (the largest part of the Confederate Army) surrendered. This was a major event leading to the conclusion of the Civil War. Lee met the Union’s Commanding General, Ulysses S. Grant, at the McLean House in Appomattox, Virginia. There the two generals discussed the terms.

One of the men who witnessed the scene was a general in the Union Army. His words show some of the most striking differences between the two men. What can you tell about the characters of the two generals from reading the passage?

“The contrast between the two commanders was striking and could not fail to attract marked attention as they sat ten feet apart facing each other. General Grant, then nearly forty-three years of age, was five feet eight inches in height, with shoulders slightly stooped. His hair and full beard were a nutbrown, without a trace of gray in them. He had on a…blouse…unbuttoned in front….He wore an ordinary pair of top-boots….The boots and portions of his clothes were spattered with mud….His felt “sugar-loaf” stiff-brimmed hat was thrown on the table beside him. He had no sword, and a pair of shoulder straps was all there was about him to designate his rank….

Lee, on the other hand, was fully six feet in height, and quite erect for one of his age, for he was Grant’s senior by sixteen years. His hair and full beard were a silver-gray, and quite thick, except that the hair had become a little thin in front. He wore a new uniform of Confederate gray, buttoned up to the throat, and at his side he carried a long sword of exceedingly fine workmanship, the hilt studded with jewels….His boots were comparatively new, and seemed to have on them some ornamental stitching of red silk. Like his uniform, they were singularly clean….”

From “The Surrender at Appomattox Court House” by Horace Porter, Brevet Brigadier General, U.S.A.

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According to the text, who did General Robert E. Lee meet at the McLean House in Appomattox, Virginia?

• the Army of Northern Virginia

• the Confederate Army

• General Ulysses S. Grant

• Horace Porter

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CCSS.RI.5.5

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In the witness’s description of the two generals, what information does the witness provide about the two men?

• The witness describes how they had been injured in battle.

• The witness describes the two men’s physical appearance and clothing.

• The witness shows the similarities between the two men.

• The witness provides information about how the war was won.

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Read these sentences from the text.

[Lee] wore a new uniform of Confederate gray, buttoned up to the throat, and at his side he carried a long sword of exceedingly fine workmanship, the hilt studded with jewels....His boots were comparatively new, and seemed to have on them some ornamental stitching of red silk. Like his uniform, they were singularly clean....

What can you conclude about how the generals may have prepared for the meeting based on this information?

• General Grant may have put more effort than General Lee into his appearance for the surrender.

• General Lee likely put effort into his appearance for the surrender.

• General Grant disliked the way that General Lee dressed.

• General Lee did not care what he looked like at the surrender.

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Which of these statements best describes the witness’s impression of the two generals?

• The witness describes Lee as having a cleaner and more impressive appearance.

• The witness thinks Grant appears to be a much better general than Lee.

• The witness is shocked by the similarities between the two generals.

• The witness thinks that Lee appears much younger than Grant.

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What is this text mostly about?

• why General Lee surrendered and why he chose Appomattox

• the difference between the two generals who met at Appomattox

• how Robert E.General Lee’s uniform and sword were made

• the witnesses at Appomattox and the different ways they tell the story

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ead this sentence from the text.

The contrast between the two commanders was striking and could not fail to attract marked attention as they sat ten feet apart facing each other.

As used in this sentence, what does the word "striking" mean?

• disappearing

• violent

• tiny

• easy to notice

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Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

General Grant was dressed plainly, while General Lee was dressed in newer, more formal clothes _________ he had lost the war.

• before

• even though

• thus

• because

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