154th Anniversary of Lee’s Surrender at Appomattox

By Professor Earnest Veritas · Originally published June 2019 · pp. 1–5

154th Anniversary of Lee’s Surrender at Appomattox By Professor Earnest Veritas Special Correspondent to – Eastern Theater – The 154th anniversary of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia by General Lee was solemnized again at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park over the weekend of April 12 through the 14, 2019. General Lee met General Grant in the McLean house at 3 o’clock in the afternoon of Saturday, April 13. After their meeting, he walked across the wooden porch, went slowly down to the last step and waited there as Traveler was brought around from behind the house. Lee pulled on his gauntlets and quietly, almost absent-mindedly, softly smacked his right fist into his open left hand while he waited for the gray, dappled horse. General Grant and his staff had walked out of the two-story brick house behind General Lee and his aide-de-camp Colonel Marshall. General Grant waited on the steps for Lee to leave. No one was speaking; Grant’s staff lined up along the porch railing, watching the moment unfold and knowing that history was being made. The substantial crowd was silent throughout the event.

General Lee mounted and, as he turned about, saw General Grant raise his hat to him. Lee lifted his own in acknowledgment of Grant’s respectful gesture. With great dignity, he rode Traveler through the gate of the white picket fence that surrounded the yard; reined him about and turned toward the Confederate encampment. He rode slowly out of sight amidst the loud silence of the crowd gathered at the fence along the lane that led to the Confederate camp. It was over. A silence hung over the spectators and no one spoke for a few minutes. The scene was repeated at 3 o’clock, on the afternoon of Sunday, April 14. The crowd was almost as large as the Saturday gathering and equally as silent. The gravity of re-creating the effective end of the war and all that it meant seemed to be felt by all who saw it. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park was extremely busy with these two events and six other Living History programs. The programs included talks by Park Rangers and Living Historians in the park for the weekend, as well as non-firing programs such as camp life and drill demonstrations by both Federal and Confederate soldiers. Also delivered for visitors was the program “Appomattox: The Last 48 Hours,” presented by Thomas Jessee as General Lee and Curt Fields as General Grant. That program was done live on the front porch of the McLean house for spectators sitting in the front yard. There were 35 Ranger programs, five Historic weapons demonstrations, parole pass printing, and demonstrations conducted constantly throughout the weekend. Other numbers of interest about the 154th Appomattox are that there were: 35 Ranger-led programs given for 934 visitors; the parole pass demonstrations were attended by 1,001 visitors; the eight Living History programs drew 765 visitors; the Visitor Center counted 1,602 visitors who came into the Center for the exhibits and the film “With Malice Toward None;” 30 volunteers worked at anything and everything that needed to be done. Weather was a plaguing factor, because rain constantly threatened, keeping visitor numbers lower than hoped for. While some rain fell, it was never enough to completely deter visitors from coming and the attendance, overall, was gratifying. The weather on Saturday was off-and-on sprinkles, but cleared up in the evening for the performance of “Appomattox: The Last 48 Hours.” Some severe weather warnings were issued on Sunday afternoon, but did not materialize to stop the event. The Living Historians were vital to the atmosphere and enjoyment by the spectators who came to the park. They included Union and Confederate Infantry, the U.S. Christian Commission, and their red three-stacker coffee wagon, Lincoln’s Generals with 15 officers giving talks in their camp next to the McLean house, and Giles Light Artillery. These units and their some 75 participants established elaborate camps demonstrating life for spectators to see and walk through to learn and ask questions about life in camp and on campaign. The firing demonstrations brought large numbers of troops together to give a realistic appearance to the firing of artillery and small arms. The Confederate firing demonstrations had 44 men; the Federal demonstrations had five. There was one gun for the artillery demonstration. The stacking of arms was done both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. A note of interest regarding the stacking of arms is that the Federals receiving the arms were commanded by Ted Chamberlain, a descendant of Joshua Chamberlain, who commanded the original ceremony. A dramatic and touching program done on Saturday afternoon was the placing of luminaries along the lanes in the village. 4,600 white paper sacks, with a battery operated candle in each, were put out by the volunteers and staff to represent the slaves in Appomattox County who were freed by Lee’s surrender. Each sack had the hand-written name of a slave. The scene was poignant; the impact significant. The program “Appomattox: The Last 48 Hours” is derived from an analysis of messages sent between Grant and Lee from 5 p.m. on April 7, to the note Lee sent Grant at approximately 10 a.m., on April 9, requesting to meet him for the purpose of surrendering the Army of Northern Virginia. The surrender terms offered by Grant and Lee’s acceptance statement are also discussed. The Generals performed on the McLean house porch to a crowd of over 200 seated in the front yard. The setting became picturesque as the moment of surrender approached; the sun broke through the clouds and began to set. The slanting sunlight illuminated the porch and the Generals as they stood and talked about what they were writing to the other and trying to fathom what the other was thinking as they replied to the messages. The Generals did their presentation as a fund-raiser for the Appomattox 1865 Foundation, the friends of the park group for Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. They were pleased to help such a worthy organization and purpose. A unique part of the weekend was the United States Christian Commission attending with their three-stacker coffee wagon. They served coffee to everyone who wanted a cup, all day, for two days. The coffee wagon is a reproduction of an original patented in 1863 and made by Chase and Sanborn Coffee. This reproduction was built for the Centennial and was at the Appomattox 150th. Reverend Alan Farley, of the Re-enactor’s Missions For Jesus Christ, is restoring it and uses it as a key part of his portrayal of the United States Christian Commission. Reverend Farley also portrays a period chaplain and provides period correct Gospel tracts and sermons at re-enactments. More information about the portrayal of the United States Christian Commission and Reverend Farley’s efforts, Re-enactors Missions for Jesus Christ, may be found at: rmjc.org Another unique facet of the weekend was the ball held Friday night. It is sponsored by the Appomattox 1865 Foundation as a fund-raiser. It is held at the Appomattox Park Inn ballroom and is routinely a sell-out. Shea Klein, of the Appomattox 1865 Foundation, said, “During the anniversary week, soldiers camp in the village and enhance an authentic feel that transports visitors into April 1865 with the smell of campfires, sounds of marching, and military demonstrations. During the year’s other 51 weeks, the foundation works hard to support the park mission with living history, ranger talks, and special presentations by authors, artisans, and performers to assist in creating a truly amazing experience for every visitor all year long. We try to incorporate aspects of daily life to help honor the past, educate in the present, and prepare the future generations for a continued interest in the preservation of this great place. This year the park presented the foundation with a wish list including a new interactive sign for the visitor’s center. This piece of equipment helps answer the important question of “Why Appomattox?” Each year approximately 75,000 visitors walk these grounds and that is their first question. This map shows the progression of each army as they approach Appomattox Court House. The cost for a sustainable and up to date sign is over $10,000. We are a few thousand dollars short of this goal still. Any donation helps and membership helps. To become a member you merely pay the membership fee, no volunteerism is required. In fact, we have members as far away as California and even Japan! The foundation will provide you with quarterly email updates on how we spend your membership dues as well as special member perks at various events. Please visit Appomattox1865foundation. org for more details. You can pay online via card or send a check with the appropriate amount: Individual $25/Couple $45/

Lee and Grant shaking hands on the porch of the McLean house. (Ben Summers)

Lee salutes Sgt. Tucker.

(Thomas Jenson)

Family $65, $10 Student with copy of valid ID. Shea A Klein PO Box 63 Appomattox, VA 24522 (434) 664-0012 [email protected] Once again, the event was graced with the presence and participation of John Griffiths, great great grandson of Ulysses S. Grant! John is energetic and dresses in uniform for the event. He is a delight to know and be in his company. It is a rare privilege to be in the presence of direct blood kin of a great person in our history. John is also a descendant of James Longstreet. Planning for the 155th anniversary is already underway. It is scheduled for April 8 through 12, 2020. Make YOUR plans accordingly to enjoy our history at such hallowed ground. “We have the privilege of sharing the stories of the Appomattox Campaign, the surrender of Lee to Grant, and the impact on the civilians in the very place it happened on a daily basis. Yet, there is an energy in the village for our annual anniversary events. The sights, sounds, and smells of the village for the 154th Anniversary Event bring the stories alive for our visitors. We are grateful to our volunteers, the Appomattox 1865 Foundation, Union and Confederate reenactors, and to Curt Fields and Thomas Jesse who portray Grant and Lee respectively who understand the power of place and demonstrate this living history. We invite the public to join us in commemorating the 155th Anniversary at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park next April!”– Robin Snyder, Superintendent Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Professor Veritas wishes to acknowledge the diligent assistance in writing this dispatch from: • Robin Snyder, Park Superintendent • Brandon Chamberlain, Lead Park Ranger and Education Coordinator • Beth Parnicza, Chief of Education and Visitor Services. • Shea Klein, The Appomattox 1865 Foundation • All photos, except those identified as “courtesy of the 1865 Foundation” are by Joe W. McFadden. Any omissions or errors are the sole responsibility of the correspondent “Simply put: tell the simple truth, simply.”