Appomattox

[samgrant]

Lee appeared to have appreciated the terms of surrender which Grant had offered.

I wonder what terms Lee had expected?

And had Lee expect to be imprisoned and/or executed (along with his officers)?

[CChartreux]

I should imagine that there are plenty of people here who'll know this better than I. However, my understanding is that Lee expected the worst...whatever that might have been (imprisonment and/or execution); I'm sure the possibility of his being pronounced guilty of treason was foremost in his mind. I would propose that he was more concerned about the welfare of his soldiers rather than personal concern for himself...at least that's how the incident strikes me. I don't believe he wanted his soldiers 'punished' for carrying out orders of superior officers.

Of course, when met with the simple 'everyone's just going to go home and get on with their lives' terms offered by Grant, indeed Lee was relieved....and grateful. Lee never tolerated anyone insulting Grant in his presence from that day forward.

[FSPowers]

Grant wanted to start the healing process. I think that's why he gave generous terms to Lee, over the objections of politicians in Washington.