HISTORY

Ends of War: The Unfinished Fight of Lee’s Army After Appomattox

Univ. of North Carolina. Sept. 2021. 352p. ISBN 9781469663371. $30. HIST
COPY ISBN
In this latest work, Janney (history, Univ. of Virginia; Remembering the Civil War) examines the military and legal ambiguities faced by the soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia after Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. Grant paroled Lee’s army, guaranteeing that rebel soldiers would not be interfered with by federal authorities, so long as they held to the conditions of their parole (to obey local laws and not pick up arms until properly exchanged). Two factors complicated the application of these terms, Janney argues: first, it was unclear what soldiers were covered by the surrender terms; second, Grant, as general, was only authorized to handle military matters, not civil matters. Further complicating the situation, Janney writes, was that Grant’s subordinates applied Grant’s orders in different ways in their various departments, and that local and state governments passed their own ordinances regarding rebel soldiers. Janney expertly explains the complications of these ambiguous terms and their inconsistent application. The author also makes an excellent case that Grant should have specified terms more clearly, although she also acknowledges that he had to act quickly as circumstances on the ground shifted from day to day.
VERDICT Similar to Janney’s previous works, this detailed military history will find an eager audience among Civil War enthusiasts.
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?