[Madame Dufarge]

Grant chose Chamberlain to receive the formal surrender of weapons and colors (12 April 1865). Always a chivalrous man, Chamberlain had his men salute the defeated Confederates as they marched by, evidence of his admiration of their valor and of Grant's wish to encourage the rebel armies still in the field to accept the peace.

[Arkinsaw]

Grant chose Chamberlain to receive the formal surrender of weapons and colors (12 April 1865). Always a chivalrous man, Chamberlain had his men salute the defeated Confederates as they marched by, evidence of his admiration of their valor and of Grant's wish to encourage the rebel armies still in the field to accept the peace.

He did it without orders and took some heat in the press afterwards as I understand it. But his action did much to start the healing process and was in the spirit of Grant's terms. General Gordon on the Confederate side returned the salute and Gordon ordered his men to return the honors as they passed. He allowed his defeated foe to maintain their honor and its still not forgotten.