On April 9, 1865 at approximately 3:30 PM, Confederate General Robert E. Lee, after having commanded the Army of Northern Virginia since June 1, 1862, surrendered his Army to Federal General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomatox, Virginia. During that almost three year period, General Lee and his Army accomplished many things but had finally yielded to the overwhelming numbers and resources of the Federal Army. The surrender meeting with General Grant was not the worse ordeal that General Lee suffered that day. It was the breaking of the news to his soldiers and telling them farewell. Approximately a half hour after leaving General Grant, General Lee rode up to his Army. Upon seeing him they rushed toward him and asked "General, are we surrendered?" At first he tried to go on without answering but they crowded about him and he said "Men, we have fought the war together, and I have done the best I could for you. You will all be paroled, so return to your homes and become good citizens. My heart is too full to say more." Tears came into his eyes as he spoke. Finally he said choking "good-bye" and attempted to ride on. Each soldier reacted to the news in his own fashion. Some wept. Others were dazed, as though they did not understand how the Army of Northern Virginia could surrender. To others, it was as the very end of the world. Some cursed and some babbled, but all who could crowded about General Lee, trying to take his hand, touch his person, or even lay their hands upon his horse, voicing their love for him, their faith in him, and also saying their goodbye to him as their commander. Finally General Lee managed to ride on. After riding a short distance from his emotional troops, as some of them were starting to fold their cherished Battle Flags, he began to feel the reaction of his soldiers. He left the road where he dismounted his faithful horse Traveller. As he battled with his own emotions, General Lee fully realized "It's Over."