So Many Amazing Things!

[PaigeBooth]

This past weekend, my family and I visited Appomattox Court House, VA, and toured the McLean House where Lee surrendered. We also toured the Museum of the Confederacy. As I was looking through my pictures this evening, I realized I should share some of these rare artifacts and amazing sites with all of you.

You can click this link to see the parlor inside the McLean House where the surrender took place:
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...6988604417

One of the most incredible artifacts on display at the Appomattox Court House Museum is this piece of the surrender flag used by the Confederacy:
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...2500117504

Also on display at the museum is this original silk mourning ribbon worn by an Appomattox veteran following Lincoln's Assassination:
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...0260477952

Some other interesting sites at Appomattox included the Meeks General Store, which also served as a post office for the town. It is one of the oldest buildings in town:
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...4466102272

It was such a pleasure running into this Union soldier at Appomattox. (He noticed I was wearing a Confederate Battle Flag Pin and realized I was for the other side!) Regardless, he happily agreed to pose in this picture with me when I asked him if I might "capture his likeness."
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...3546919936

The Clover Hill Tavern was also very interesting. It is where thousands of parole passes were printed for Lee's soldiers after the surrender:
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...0980271104

Another highlight was the old jail house. The original jail bars are still visible:
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...3903665153

And last but certainly not least, the nearby American Civil War Museum of the Confederacy is a must see! It is filled with countless artifacts; a really excellent place to tour. Artifacts on display at this museum include the Uniform Lee wore during the surrender at Appomattox:
https://twitter.com/April14th1865/status...5308595200

This town is really a step back into time; a place you must see in person to truly appreciate.

[RJNorton]

Paige, as always thank you for sharing your historical adventures with the forum!

[Eva Elisabeth]

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?

[ELCore]

Thanks, Paige.

[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!

[Gene C]

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us here, since I don't tweet, I would have missed them. It's been a long time since I have visited there. Nice pictures and good information you shared.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks much for the additional information, Paige - very interesting! I have to admit the flag did look like a tea towel to.me, but I didn't know tea towels were so expensive.

[L Verge]

I'm just climbing back on board this train after a hospital "vacation." These photos of Appomattox are a great welcome-back present!

It has been forty years since I last visited Appomattox CH, and it certainly has changed. Great to see that they are doing much more extensive interpretation.

P.S. Thank you for wearing your pin...

[PaigeBooth]

(10-29-2016 07:59 AM)L Verge Wrote:  I'm just climbing back on board this train after a hospital "vacation." These photos of Appomattox are a great welcome-back present!

It has been forty years since I last visited Appomattox CH, and it certainly has changed. Great to see that they are doing much more extensive interpretation.

P.S. Thank you for wearing your pin...

Welcome back, Laurie! It is good to have you back and even better to know you are doing well. I am glad to hear you enjoyed my photos. And I'm especially glad you liked my pin-- you know I'm always proud to wear it

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Gene-- thanks for your kind words. I am always happy to share with the forum.