"Surrender of General Lee." Wood Engraving by D. Meeden, after A. R. Waud, [n.d.]

Presented is an original engraving titled "Surrender of General Lee." It was engraved by D. Meeden, after a drawing by noted Civil War artist and war correspondent Alfred R. Waud. The composition depicts the historic meeting inside the McLean House at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, where General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant agreed to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee is shown seated at a small round table, dressed in full Confederate uniform with his cavalry sword at his side. His top hat and gloves rest upon the tabletop beside the document. Four Confederate officers stand solemnly behind him, their subdued expressions reflecting the gravity of the moment. Across the room, General Ulysses S. Grant and a group of Union officers sit at their own table and observe the proceedings. The carefully rendered interior features a fireplace with an elegant mantel, framed artwork adorning the walls, and a vase of flowers.

The surrender at the McLean House on April 9, 1865, marked the decisive end of the Civil War's principal military campaign. After months of relentless fighting and the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, General Robert E. Lee recognized that the Army of Northern Virginia could no longer continue the struggle. He met with General Ulysses S. Grant in the home of Wilmer McLean, where Grant offered generous terms that allowed Confederate soldiers to return home after laying down their arms, with officers permitted to retain their sidearms and privately owned horses. Although several smaller Confederate forces remained in the field for a few weeks, Lee's surrender ended organized Confederate resistance, after four years of devastating conflict.

CONDITION: 

Very good+ condition. Paper is healthy with a few instances of small ink stains from original printing. The title has some ink smearing, as printed. Uneven top paper margin. Signed in the printing matrix, lower right " D. Meeden Sc." and "A. R. Waud" in the bottom left in the matrix. Reverse features printed text, with chapter heading  of "The Story of America.” and page number “324.”

Archivally framed in a custom-built wooden frame with UV glass and acid-free mats.

Framed Dimensions: 11 1/8" H x 13" W x 1" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.