At Appomattox Court House, Grant offered generous terms of surrender to the defeated Confederate army. Soldiers were required to turn over their rifles, but officers were allowed to keep their pistols. soldiers who had horses could keep them. grant knew that Southerners would need the animals for spring plowing. finally, ordered Grant, "Each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to be distributed by the United States authorities."

Question

At Appomattox Court House, Grant offered generous terms of surrender to the defeated Confederate army. Soldiers were required to turn over their rifles, but officers were allowed to keep their pistols. soldiers who had horses could keep them. grant knew that Southerners would need the animals for spring plowing. finally, ordered Grant, "Each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to be distributed by the United States authorities."

As the Confederates surrendered, Union Soldiers began to cheer. Grant ordered them to be silent. "the war is over," he said. "The rebels are our countrymen again."
Use the passage to answer the question.
Why did Grant not want his troops to celebrate the surrender of the Confederate troops?
a it could bring surprise attacks on the North
b it would not help in unifying the nation again
c it would cause his troops to view Southerners as countrymen
d it could cause the South to revoke their surrender

Answer 1

b it would not help in unifying the nation again

Grant understood the importance of promoting unity and reconciliation between the North and South after the Civil War. Celebrating the surrender of the Confederate troops would only further deepen the divide between the two sides, hindering the process of bringing the country back together. Grant wanted to show respect to the defeated Confederates and promote the idea that they were once again fellow countrymen.