Who was the Union general that received the surrender of Robert E. Lee?

Ulysses S. Grant is recognized for accepting the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, which marked a significant moment in the conclusion of the American Civil War. The surrender took place on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Grant's leadership and strategies during the war were pivotal in leading the Union forces to victory, and his ability to negotiate terms that were generous to Lee and his soldiers helped facilitate a peaceful end to hostilities. This act is often viewed as a key moment in healing the nation after years of brutal conflict.

The other figures mentioned played important roles in the Civil War but were not involved in Lee's surrender. William Tecumseh Sherman is known for his "March to the Sea," which aimed to demoralize the South. George Meade led Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg, a critical turning point in the war, while Philip Sheridan was noted for his cavalry operations in the late war but did not participate in the surrender at Appomattox. Therefore, Grant’s role as the Union general who received Lee's surrender is not only a factual historical event but also symbolizes the end of the conflict and the start of reconciliation.