You might be wondering how the General of the Confederacy, whose army killed so many Union soldiers could be responsible for saving the Union. For the complete answer I strongly recommend you read Jay Winik's 1865: The Month That Saved America. A masterful analysis of the final month of the Civil War.
Winik set out to answer a very thought-provoking question: why didn't the American Civil War destroy America? Winik's theory which is supported by substantial evidence is that when the end was apparent for the Confederecy, its military leader, General Robert E. Lee, rather than retreat into the countryside and fight a protracted guerrilla war that would wear down the Northern Army and most certainly destroy the Country, told his men "it was over and it was their duty to return home to their farms and be good citizens."
The greatness of Lee was his willingness to put what was right above his own ego. Throughout the war Lee maintained perspective. The war was about a cause, not he and his reputation. That's why when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Lee's troops gave him a standing ovation as he returned to camp to officially announce the surrender. More than money and fame, Lee had influence.
In sharp contrast, Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy wanted to see Lee and his men "fight to the death." Taking their cue from Lee, the other Confederate generals, Joe Johnston et. al. all surrendered one by one.
And thus, because of the credibility of one man's personal brand the the United States was saved from being savagely torn asunder despite suffering more than 650,000 deaths and more than 1,000,000 casualties.
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