Appomattox 2023 Was a Successful Observation of Lee’s Surrender
By Professor Earnest Veritas · Originally published August 2023 · pp. 19
Appomattox 2023 Was a Successful Observation of Lee’s Surrender
By Professor Earnest Veritas Special Correspondent to – Western Theater –
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park hosted the 158th anniversary event on April 7-12, 2023. The commemoration of General Lee’s surrender to General Grant on April 9, 1865, was a successful observation of the event that brought our country back together. More than 2,000 visitors, according to park counts, came to the multiple-day event to experience the park, exhibits, and Lee (Thomas Jessee), and Grant (Curt Fields), and soldiers who came to bring the event to life and enjoy the twenty-plus presentations by park staff. The Living History group, Lincoln’s Generals, provided most reenactors who participated in the event. An officer’s call and nowannual dinner was held Friday evening at the Babcock House restaurant in Appomattox, a few miles from the park. Some thirty officers, soldiers, and civilians, all contributing to the anniversary observations over the weekend, came to the dinner to kick off the event in a proper spirit. Friendships were renewed across the lines as the evening’s conviviality set the tone for the weekend’s events and demonstrations. General Sheridan (James Standard) set up a fly and encampment in the yard next to the McLean house. He and other officers and civilians entertained visitors throughout the weekend. General Joshua Chamberlain (Ted Chamberlain) set up a tent fly on the road where arms were stacked after the surrender. Colonel Ellis Spear (Ray Lizarraga) assisted General Chamberlain. Spear had been one of Chamberlain’s students at Bowdoin College in Maine prior to the war and had raised a company for the 20th Maine regiment. Colonel Spear was sent across the Appomattox River to lead Gordon’s Brigade to the location for “stacking of the arms.” They were the first Confederates to stack arms. It was quite an honor for General Chamberlain to be designated to receive the surrender of the Confederates and equally as much an honor for Colonel Spear to be sent to lead them to where they would surrender arms and flags. The pair of officers talked to several visitors and explained the three-day process of the Confederates stacking of their arms (mainly in the rain) after General Lee surrendered. On Saturday evening, April 8th, General Lee and General Grant, surrounded by their respective staffs, gave their presentation “Appomattox: The Last 48 Hours” on the front porch of the McLean house to an enthusiastic crowd gathered in the yard. Their presentation recounts and explains the messages exchanged between Grant and Lee from 5 p.m. April 7th to 11:50 a.m. on April 9th. The generals also describe what their respective armies were doing in the final time frame as the war ground to an end. The audience was privileged to hear, in the generals’ own words, what happened in those last 48 hours of ‘this cruel war.’ The weather for the weekend was mostly chilly, gray, and frequently wet, just as it was in April 1865. Historically, it was wonderful because these same weather conditions were experienced by the original participants. There were more than a few shivers among the participants and the visitors. Complaints were few and goodnatured from both groups! Several weekend activities were held at the nearby Museum of the Confederacy. Many Confederate soldiers were encamped, and several Federal troops and an artillery unit joined them. On Thursday, April 6th, Patrick Schroeder gave an informative program at the Museum: “Final Fury and the Last to Die: The Battles of Appomattox Court House and Appomattox Station.” A special treat was the old-time service on Sunday morning by Pastor Scott Strudivant of the United States Christian Commission. The service was very well attended, with both Grant and Lee there to enjoy the uplifting words of Pastor Strudivant. Generals Lee and Grant visited the camps of Confederate and Federal troops and enjoyed the fellowship extended to them in both. Several ladies engaged in family life activities and rolling bandages for the troops in the cabin on the premises. The generals toured the cabin and enjoyed learning about what they were doing to keep the home in good shape while their men were away at war. Overall, the American Civil War Museum had a substantial program for the surrender anniversary and plans to have more in the future. The plans are underway at the park for the 159th anniversary of the surrender in April 2024 and the 160th in 2025. Appomattox National Historical Park and Generals Grant and Lee certainly hope that all who are able will attend both events! For more information about Appomattox National Historical Park and events held there yearround, contact the park at: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park National Park Dr, Appomattox, VA 24522 Phone 434-352-8987 Professor Veritas would like to extend his gratitude for the assistance and photographs used in this article to Ted Chamberlain, James Standard, Ray Lizarraga, Jacqueline Terzano, and Patrick Schroeder, the Appomattox Court House National Park Historian.
Grant and Lee talking to the crowd about the history of the surrender. (Gene Smallwood)
“Simply put: tell the simple truth, simply.” – Professor E. Veritas
Lee (Thomas Jessee), and Grant (Curt Fields). (Jacqueline Terzano)
Group of Confederate and Union reenactors that participated in the anniversary.