On the evening of April 8, 1865 Major General George Custer's units took control of the high ground at Appomattox Station and forced the retreat of Brigadier General Rueben Walker .
Lee's army had no way to retreat.
We are at the Appomattox Court House Historic Park.
In the Commonwealth of Virginia the town that is the county seat might be named Court House, two words, and where the judge presides is a Courthouse, ONE word. Phil is in front of the reconstructed Courthouse.
Grant sent word to Lee requesting they talk.
Grant and Lee met under an apple tree.
There is a myth that the soldiers cut down the tree and saved pieces.
Letter opener carved from "the apple tree."
After surrender conditions were finalized the Generals met in the McLean home on April 9, 1865.
Grant asked only that the Confederates pledge not to take up arms against the United States. He did not demand that Lee hand over his sword.
Lee asked his men be given transportation home on any Federal train, boat, stage or wagon and rations.
Reconstructed room where the two Generals met.
Paroled prisoner passes were given to every Confederate acknowledging they were not a deserter from the Confederate army.
Two portable printing presses printed 28,000 passes.
The printing took two days.
On April 12 about 5,000 Union soldiers lined the road. This ceremony was a conclusion of the War for the soldiers. The Confederate soldiers came forward and stacked their mussel or rifle. The Union soldiers "snapped to marching salute" and the Confederate soldiers returned the salute. This was an expression of respect for the common soldier. It was described as an honorable ceremony yet also tearful for many.
It was said this flag had been in 6 battles. Now it was laid down.
Some flags were cut up and taken home as a souvenir by the soldiers of that units. This from a Georgia unit.
Pieces were cut from Custer's headquarter flag.
Village Tavern is where the parole passes were printed.
Tavern kitchen and slave quarters.
Tavern guesthouse. Before the War this town was a stagecoach stop.
Meeks store and Woodson Office, a lawyer.
Lawyer's office.
A leather maker's home.
Harsh living conditions.
Third Confederate flag in the Visitors Center.
We learned so much about the events from the Rangers and two videos. This was a very somber experience.
Onto Charlottesville. We went to college.....the University of Virginia!
To see the Rotunda that Thomas Jefferson designed.
The Rotunda is under renovation so it didn't look glorious from the outside. But the insides amazing. The West Oval Room on the main floor is decorated as a 19th century salon. It is the official reception room for the University.
Interesting bulls eye mirror.
East Oval Room was originally a lecture hall. Now a meeting room for the Board of Visitors, the University's governing body.
North Oval Room is a subcommittee meeting room and where for doctoral dissertations are defended.
Amazing artwork throughout.
Staircase to the Dome Room.
Study area
Pillars around the room.
I almost missed "How to Judge a Book by its Cover." A century of books demonstrating different techniques in book covers. This book from 1830.
1848
1844
1850's
Over 400 copies of Lucille written by European Owen Meredith. Very popular 1860 to 1910 in the U.S.
Looking across the lawn. You can see snow from last week's storm.
Wood provided by the University, no heating in the students room except from the fireplaces that were put in each room when the University was started 1825.
Reminders of the snowstorm, snow plow and downed branches. We have seen a lot of trees and branches down as we came into town.
We stayed overnight at the I-64 exit 105 rest area.
Location:Appomattox Court House, VA
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