So Many Amazing Things!

[PaigeBooth]

(10-27-2016 04:23 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Thanks, Paige - I really and especially enjoyed seeing these photos, I'd love to visit the place. It must be one of the most touching sites, and to stand on that porch. May I ask - is the desk original? I seemed to recall it were in the Smithsonian. As for the surrender flag - I wonder how it looked back then. Are there any specifications/agreements on how a surrender flag shall look like to be recognized/acknowledged as such?

Eva, I am so glad to hear you enjoyed my photos. Let me share with you what I read at the site where I saw the Flag of Truce. Here is what I learned:

At about 7am on April 9, 1865, Confederate forces began an assault on Federal Cavalry, blocking the route West. Within two hours it became apparent that Federal Infantry, marching until midnight on the 8th, had arrived in front of Lee's army. Lee realized he was surrounded to the east, south and west by three Federal armies. And, to the north of Lee was the James River, which also blocked his path. Therefore, Lee realized he had no choice but to surrender.
Lee then instructed General John Gordon to send out a flag of truce. The flag bearer was Captain Robert Moorman Sims. I learned that Sims was quoted saying this about the flag:
"The Flag was a new and clean white tea towel, one of a lot for which I had paid $20 or $40 apiece in Richmond a few days before we left there. I did not exhibit the flag until very near the Federal line, and consequently was fired at until I got very near."

So it actually was not a flag, but a tea towel purchased by Confederate Captain Sims. The piece of the Flag "tea towel" you see in my photo is a fragment of the Flag "towel" which was cut by General George Custer's wife, Elizabeth. After the war, the Flag was presented to Mrs. Custer in appreciation of her husband's service.
Also, the table is a reproduction that looks exactly like the original. You are correct, the original is in the Smithsonian. The table was originally given to Mrs. Custer after the surrender; then later ended up in the Smithsonian.

Eva, there are countless, rare artifacts to see in the town of Appomattox Court House and at the nearby American Civil War Museum-Museum of the Confederacy. I am sure that with your great interest and knowledge, you would really enjoy and appreciate seeing these sites; It would be something wonderful for you to see during your next visit here!

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Roger and Lane, I am so happy to share with the forum; so glad you enjoyed!