Robert E. Lee was born in 1807, of an old aristocratic Virginia family; he graduated from West Point (1829) and spent thirty-two years in the regular army; he distinguished himself in the Mexican War. Just before the Civil War broke out, he wrote to a friend: "If the Union is dissolved and the Government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people, and, save in defense, will draw my sword no more." A few days after the fall of Fort Sumter, he was offered the command of the United States Army and declined it. He resigned and after Virginia seceded, accepted a Confederate commission. He took command of the Army of Northern Virginia June 1, 1862. He had great power over men and his soldiers had perfect confidence in "Uncle Robert." ACT II. INTRODUCTION: The surrender of Appomattox Court House. Salute. Lee and his staff in room. Lee in full dress uniform. Grant enters with his staff. Grant shakes hands with Lee. Grant dressed in rough clothes. GRANT: How do you do, General Lee. We have not met since the Mexican War. Strange is it not? LEE: (Salute). How do you do, General Grant. No we have missed meeting. I have sent for you today, General Grant, to ask you the terms of a surrender. GRANT: The terms are the same as those sent you a few days ago, General Lee. All of Northern Virginia must lay down their arms and take up the Stars and Stripes. LEE: Write them and I will sign. UNION SOLDIER SPEAKS TO OFFICER WITH LEE: Why is it that you and your General are in full dress uniform? OFFICER: When Sherman came through we saved our best suit and this is all we have. (Grant writes terms and reads to General Lee.) The Terms: All the Army of Northern Virginia must lay down their arms and take up the Stars and Stripes. The men are to be allowed to return to their homes and are not to be disturbed by the United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they reside. They are to be allowed to take their horses home to do the spring plowing. LEE: You have been generous, General Grant. (Offers sword to Grant. Grant takes it and returns it with this remark): GRANT: A brave man should not be separated from his sword. I tender it back to you. (Grant and Lee shake hands. Lee goes to his men and speaks to them). LEE: Men we have fought through this war together. I have done my best for you. GRANT: (Speaks to his men). This day is not to be spent as a day of victory but in peace and quiet. These men are now citizens of the same country and are to be treated as such. SOME WOMEN OF HISTORY INTRODUCTION: We are now going to tell you the story of some of the great women of our nation, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Julia Ward Howe, and others. The first act will be Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the first champion of Woman Suffrage, and the first Woman's Rights Convention. ACT I.