In Virginia, Grant finally achieved his goal when, in April 1865, he crushed Lee's right flank and seized the railroads supplying Richmond. The Confederates were then forced to evacuate Petersburg and the Confederate capital. Lee retreated to the southwest, hoping to join forces with Johnston in North Carolina. However, Grant's army moved swiftly and overtook Lee, preventing his escape. Lee now realised that there was absolutely no point in resuming the war for it would only cause needless loss of life. He sent a letter to Grant asking if they could meet and discuss the terms of surrender.

During the Sunday, April 9, 1865, the two brilliant generals met in a farmhouse named Appomattox Court House in Virginia. The final, famous meeting between Grant and Lee is considered to have been one of the most dramatic scenes in American history. Grant wore a dirty, mud covered private's coat, with just his shoulder straps revealing his rank, while Lee wore his best clean uniform, complete with sword. Grant offered Lee generous terms of surrender, and Lee was relieved to accept them. The Confederate soldiers received food and were released from prison. They were allowed to keep their horses and personal possessions but were striped of their firearms.

When the news of the surrender spread southward and reached North Carolina, Johnston surrendered his army to Sherman on April 26 near Durham. Jefferson Davis was arrested in Georgia, attempting to escape the country. General Richard Taylor surrendered to the Union in Alabama on May 4. And, finally, on May 26, General Edmond Kirby surrendered the last