Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, VA (6-20-15)
Read MoreLee's Headquarters - April 8-11, 1865
This small clearing marks the headquarters of General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia while at Appomattox. It was from here that Lee composed his first letters of communication regarding surrender with Grant. It was also here that, on April 10, he composed his farewell order to his soldiers:
"General Order No. 9,
After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them. But feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell." — R. E. Lee, GeneralLee's Headquarters - April 8-11, 1865
This small clearing marks the headquarters of General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia while at Appomattox. It was from here that Lee composed his first letters of communication regarding surrender with Grant. It was also here that, on April 10, he composed his farewell order to his soldiers:
"General Order No. 9,
After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them. But feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell." — R. E. Lee, GeneralDiscussing Options
Night, April 8-9, 1865 -- From this ridge near his headquarters Lee convened his final war council on the evening of April 8-9 to discuss the practicality of continuing hostilities. General Porter Alexander suggested the army disband and take to the hills to continue the fight guerrilla-style. Lee dismissed this idea. It was finally agreed to make one more push against the Union lines early on the 9th. After this attack failed Lee had run out options...he was heard to remark... "Then there is nothing left for me to do but go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths."
The Flag of Truce
5:30am, April 9, 1865 -- It was at this now-nondescript piece of the battlefield, across the present highway from the Wright House, where General George Armstrong Custer received the initial Confederate flag of truce on the morning of April 9. It had been sent by General Lee signaling his intent to discuss with General Grant terms of surrender...
General Lee Awaits Grants Response
Morning, April 9, 1865 -- Following what must have been one of the most stressful nights of his life General Lee, around 5 am on April 9, sent a flag of truce across the lines with the intent of discussing terms of surrender with General Grant. It was near this spot, under the shade of an apple tree, where Lee anxiously awaited Grant's response...
Last Attack of the Army of Northern Virginia
Morning, April 9, 1865 - It was across these fields that, on the morning of April 9th, North Carolina infantry attacked Union cavalry in the last offensive action of the Army of Northern Virginia. Initial success was short-lived as arriving Union infantry soon forced the much smaller Rebel force to withdraw and request a truce...
Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road - Grant & Lee's Second Meeting
Morning, April 10, 1865 -- On the first full day of peace, April 10, the Confederate Army would stack arms and surrender their colors to the Union Army. Just prior to the procession General Lee met with General Grant here, in a field alongside the Stage Road. After a brief chat the two parted ways. Little is known of what exactly was discussed other than that it focused on where they should go from here...
Surrender of the Artillery
April 11, 1865 -- This small line of caissons and guns commemorates the spot around which the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered what was left of their artillery on April 11th. According to official Union reports a total of 61 cannon and 13 caissons were surrendered, along with 2,576 artillerymen paroled...
Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road - Salute of Arms
Morning, April 12, 1865 -- Under command of Brigadier General Joshua Chamberlain (made famous by his stand at Little Round Top at Gettysburg) Union troops lined the Stage Road here on April 12, 1865. As the surrendered Confederate army strode into view Chamberlain ordered the Union men to salute as they passed. Shocked at the sign of respect from a conquering enemy, the Confederate General John B. Gordon none-the-less ordered his men to return the salute. Soldier honoring soldier...
Headquarters, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant
Grant's established his headquarters atop the low rise in this photo. It was from his camp here that he corresponded with Lee to arrange the surrender. He also sent word of the war's end to Washington from here, now known as Grant's "Message of Peace". The simple, straightforeward, and rather understated missive is classic U.S. Grant. It read:
"Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
GEN. LEE SURRENDERED THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA THIS AFTERNOON, upon the terms proposed by myself. The accompanying additional correspondence will show the conditions fully.
(signed)
U.S. Grant, Lieut. Gen'McLean House (ca. 1848)
Reconstructed in 1948-50 -- The McLean House was the site chosen as the location for the surrender of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. Situated on the west edge of town, the structure was originally built by Charles Raine as a tavern. In 1863 Raine sold the (now) home to a war-weary grocer named Wilmer McLean of Manassas, Virginia. McLean was looking to move to a quieter part of the state after the first major battle of the Civil War raged across his farm, along a small stream known as Bull Run, in 1861 and then returned to his doorstep a year later during the Second Battle of Bull Run. Unfortunately McLean's peace only lasted two years, until the war once again found him. A famous saying that "the Civil War started in McLean's backyard and ended in his parlor" isn't far from the truth.
After the surrender was complete and the armies had passed on McLean struggled financially and the home was eventually sold and, in 1893, dismantled and shipped in pieces first to Chicago and then to Washington D.C. with the intent of rebuilding it as a tourist attraction. Plans to rebuild it never materialized until the Historic Park was established. What remained of the home (including some 5,000 bricks) was salvaged to be used in the reconstruction which now presents a fairly exact representation of what the home appeared like in April 1865...McLean House (ca. 1848) - Parlor
It was in this room, called the parlor, in which Grant and Lee signed the terms of surrender. General Lee sat in the chair to the left with General Grant using the chair to the right. While faithfully recreated, the only original items you see here from the time of the surrender are the two vases atop the mantle. After the surrender most of the items were either purchased or stolen from Wilmer McLean by soldiers seeking souvenirs...
Appomattox Courthouse (ca. 1846) - From McLean House
Reconstructed in 1963-64 -- When Appomattox County was established in 1845 there was, of course, immediate need for a county courthouse. Though it was in use at the time of the surrender, it took no part in the proceedings as April 9th was Palm Sunday and it was closed (apparently the impending end of the Civil War wasn't enough to open it). Unfortunately the original structure burned to the ground in 1892 and was never reconstructed. Citizens moved the new seat of government to nearby Appomattox Station (modern-day Appomattox). The reconstruction now serves as the park visitor center and museum...
Appomattox Courthouse (ca. 1846)
Reconstructed in 1963-64 -- When Appomattox County was established in 1845 there was, of course, immediate need for a county courthouse. Though it was in use at the time of the surrender, it took no part in the proceedings as April 9th was Palm Sunday and it was closed (apparently the impending end of the Civil War wasn't enough to open it). Unfortunately the original structure burned to the ground in 1892 and was never reconstructed. Citizens moved the new seat of government to nearby Appomattox Station (modern-day Appomattox). The reconstruction now serves as the park visitor center and museum...
McLean House (ca. 1848) - Rear View
Reconstructed in 1948-50 -- The McLean House was the site chosen as the location for the surrender of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. Situated on the west edge of town, the structure was originally built by Charles Raine as a tavern. In 1863 Raine sold the (now) home to a war-weary grocer named Wilmer McLean of Manassas, Virginia. McLean was looking to move to a quieter part of the state after the first major battle of the Civil War raged across his farm, along a small stream known as Bull Run, in 1861 and then returned to his doorstep a year later during the Second Battle of Bull Run. Unfortunately McLean's peace only lasted two years, until the war once again found him. A famous saying that "the Civil War started in McLean's backyard and ended in his parlor" isn't far from the truth.
After the surrender was complete and the armies had passed on McLean struggled financially and the home was eventually sold and, in 1893, dismantled and shipped in pieces first to Chicago and then to Washington D.C. with the intent of rebuilding it as a tourist attraction. Plans to rebuild it never materialized until the Historic Park was established. What remained of the home (including some 5,000 bricks) was salvaged to be used in the reconstruction which now presents a fairly exact representation of what the home appeared like in April 1865...Plunkett-Meeks Store Stable (ca. 1850)
Reconstructed in 1949 -- Obviously a place where livestock, horses, and farm equipment were kept, the stable is located next to the field behind the Plunkett-Meeks Store and Woodson Law Office. The stable is a reconstruction and represents a typical design for this type of structure and period...
Woodson Law Office (ca. 1851)
Restored in 1959 -- As this village served as the county seat numerous small law offices like this dotted the community. This structure was owned by John W. Woodson between 1854 - 1864. It has been decorated to depict what a typical country law office would have looked like during the period...
Clover Hill Tavern (ca. 1819)
Restored in 1954 -- Built by Alexander Patterson to accommodate travelers along the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road, the Clover Hill Tavern spurred the growth of the community surrounding it, which also went by the name Clover Hill (it wasn't called Appomattox until after becoming the County Seat). The downstairs of the tavern was where the parole papers were printed following the surrender and, thus, today the tavern is where you can stop by to see how this process took place...
Clover Hill Tavern (ca. 1819) - Parole Printing
The parole papers for the surrendered Confederate soldiers were printed inside the first floor of the tavern. The paroles read as follows:
"The Bearer, __________, of Co.___Regt.___of__________, a Paroled Prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia, has permission to go to his home, and there remain undisturbed."Clover Hill Tavern (ca. 1819) - Front View of Courthouse & Jail
Restored in 1954 -- Built by Alexander Patterson to accommodate travelers along the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road, the Clover Hill Tavern spurred the growth of the community surrounding it, which also went by the name Clover Hill (it wasn't called Appomattox until after becoming the County Seat). The downstairs of the tavern was where the parole papers were printed following the surrender and, thus, today the tavern is where you can stop by to see how this process took place...
Clover Hill Tavern Kitchen & Laundry (ca. 1820)
Restored in 1953 -- The purpose of this building, which stands behind the tavern, is pretty self-explanatory. Cooking and cleaning was done downstairs while the upstairs rooms served as overflow accommodations when rooms at the tavern and the guesthouse were full. Today, the building houses the park bookstore and gift shop...
Appomattox County Jail (ca. 1860-70)
Restored -- Also known as the 'New Jail', the Civil War intruded on its construction which is why it took ten years to complete. The jail held prisoners until 1892 when the courthouse burned and the county seat was moved. The structure remained in use, however, serving as a local polling station until 1940 when the NPS took over...