145th Anniversary - Lee's Surrender
Appomattox Commemorates the 145th Anniversary of Lee’s Surrender with a Series of Special Events
Appomattox, Va. – A number of commemorative events are planned for the 145th anniversary of the surrender of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
“This year, we are especially excited to have two groups hosting unique events to commemorate this historic moment in American history,” said Will Simmons, Director of Tourism for the Town of Appomattox. “Visitors from around the world will be able to catch a glimpse of what life was like for soldiers 145 years ago.”
On April 8-12, 2010 at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, the public is invited to enjoy military and civilian living-history presentations, guided tours, ranger programs, book signings by authors, and a Stacking of Arms Ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
April 9-11 at Clover Hill Village, the Appomattox Historical Society will hold a small-scale reenactment of the events that led to the surrender. Lee’s Lieutenants, a reenactment group, will be on-hand at Clover Hill Village to participate in these activities, including: Lee's last war counsel, General Gordon's attempted break-out, Lee-Grant meeting, Stacking of Arms and Reduction of Colors.
April 17-18, Union and Confederate re-enactment groups will be encamped at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Living history re-enactors will demonstrate historic weapons and battle tactics, including horse-drawn artillery, on the last battlefield of Lee’s Army. Activities will include cooking, military inspections, drill, and printing of parole passes for Confederate soldiers in the same building where they were printed in 1865. Each day there will also be a “Stacking of Arms Ceremony” along the stage road, exactly where General Lee’s army stacked arms 145 years ago.
April 17, after hours at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Bring your blankets and chairs for an evening concert of Civil War music at the National Park. The 26th North Carolina Regimental Brass Band will perform a variety of pieces that were familiar to both Union and Confederate soldiers. The park grounds will be free after 5:00 p.m. and the public is invited to walk the village lanes and visit the re-enactor camps. The concert will be at the McLean House and begin at 6:30 p.m.
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