Robert E. Lee - HISTORY

The general leads to Confederate forces in the Civil War, and in the process gains mythic status.

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Which of the admired Civil War generals would you want to lead your army?

At Appomattox, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders his 28,000 troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the American Civil War. Forced to abandon the Confederate capital of Richmond, blocked from joining the surviving Confederate force in North Carolina, and harassed constantly by Union cavalry, Lee had no other option. In retreating from the Union army's Appomattox Campaign, the Army of Northern Virginia had stumbled through the Virginia countryside stripped of food and supplies. At one point, Union cavalry forces under General Philip Sheridan had actually outrun Lee's army, blocking their retreat and taking 6,000 prisoners at Sayler's Creek. Desertions were mounting daily, and by April 8 the Confederates were surrounded with no possibility of escape. On April 9, Lee sent a message to Grant announcing his willingness to surrender. The two generals met in the parlor of the Wilmer McLean home at one o'clock in the afternoon. Lee and Grant, both holding the highest rank in their respective armies, had known each other slightly during the Mexican War and exchanged awkward personal inquiries. Characteristically, Grant arrived in his muddy field uniform while Lee had turned out in full dress attire, complete with sash and sword. Lee asked for the terms, and Grant hurriedly wrote them out. All officers and men were to be pardoned, and they would be sent home with their private property--most important, the horses, which could be used for a late spring planting. Officers would keep their side arms, and Lee's starving men would be given Union rations. Shushing a band that had begun to play in celebration, General Grant told his officers, "The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again." Although scattered resistance continued for several weeks, for all practical purposes the Civil War had come to an end.

Robert Kennedy was on the verge of a run for president run when he was struck down by an assassin's bullet just like his brother before him.

Robert Kennedy was a powerful figure in Washington until his assassination in 1968.

In this Ask Steve video clip, Robert Kennedy and the chance that he would have been elected president of the United States if he hadn't been assassinated was discussed. It would have been difficult seeing as the primary's were much different then. He would have needed to get the support from the delegates, since the primary's were for show only.

WWII veteran Robert Morgan was captain of the B-52 Memphis Belle during the historic 25 mission tour.

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