Surrender Terms and Processes at the End of the American Civil War

The American Civil War did not conclude with a formal surrender of the Confederate States of America (CSA) as a nation. Instead, it was marked by a series of surrenders of Confederate armies and individual leaders, with the Confederate government effectively collapsing. This article delves into the various surrenders, the terms agreed upon, and the aftermath of their respective surrenders.

Confederacy and its Lack of Formal Surrender

There was no formal surrender of the Confederate States as a nation. Instead, several Confederate armies and individual leaders surrendered over the course of the war. For instance, Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. However, Lee did not have the authority to surrender the entire CSA. The political leadership and government of the Confederacy were decentralized, with no single figure with the authority to surrender the nation.

Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States, held firm to the belief that the war should continue, even after his capture. He fled Richmond and was eventually captured in Georgia. Despite his capture, it is unlikely that any formal declaration of surrender was made by the Confederate government.

Terms of Surrender for Individual Armies and Leaders

The terms of surrender for individual armies and leaders were remarkably straightforward. Typically, the Confederate soldiers were required to lay down their arms and pledge not to take up arms against the United States again. Significantly, the terms did not include formal treaties or negotiations. The Union commanders understood that the legal status of the Confederacy was uncertain, and therefore, they did not offer terms that would further undermine the Union's position.

For instance, when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox, the terms were:

The Confederate soldiers were to turn over their government-issued weapons, ammunition, and equipment. Officers were allowed to keep their personal sidearms and horses. Every soldier signed a parole document, promising not to take up arms again. Each soldier was responsible for finding their way home, often through a devastated South.

Similar terms were agreed upon when other Confederate generals, such as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, surrendered in North Carolina. Gen. Stand Watie, who commanded Native American regiments, also had his troops stand down and return to their homes in Oklahoma. Similarly, Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest surrendered and sent his troops home. These surrenders followed a similar pattern, with the overarching theme being the demobilization of Confederate forces and the reintegration of soldiers into civilian life.

Continued Resistance and Battles

Not all Confederate forces surrendered immediately. Some units, including those under Gen. John B. Gordon and Gen. Joseph E. Johnstons’s forces, held out for some time, particularly in the Western Theater. There were also skirmishes in July 1865, such as the Battle of Palmito Ranch in Texas, which the Confederate forces won. These battles are exceptions and do not represent the main trend of surrender and demobilization.

The process of surrender was a multifaceted one, encompassing political, military, and social aspects. The terms agreed upon were designed to ease the transition from war to peace and to prevent the resurgence of Confederate resistance.

In conclusion, the American Civil War ended with the surrender of individual Confederate armies and generals rather than a formal declaration of surrender by the Confederate States as a nation. The terms agreed upon were basic and aimed at demobilizing Confederate forces and reintegrating them into civilian life. The process of surrender involved significant challenges, but it marked the official end of the hostilities.