In 1865, Robert E Lee surrendered the confederate
army on March 9th. The confederates
approached Appomattox courthouse expecting the embarrassing end to the war.
They walked dejectedly towards the Union lines. Waiting for them, the Union
soldiers stood at attention. As they approached the Union general ordered the
men to salute to their former-enemies-now-brothers. The surprised rebel general
ordered for his troops to salute back. Now the dejected Confederates march with
their honor restored. As that small straggling, ragged group passed by, there
was no cat-calling or boasting, just old enemies tired of war and blood,
regarding each other. The Confederates were then ordered to lay down arms. Some
men said goodbye to their guns. One told his, “Goodbye gun, I’m happy to get
rid of you. I’ve been trying for two years.” The guns were stacked, then
burned. Many of the flags had to be torn from the Confederate troops because
none wanted to give up the colors they had fought so hard for. Some of the men
even draped themselves in their flags. Some of the flags had been ripped from
the flagpoles in the struggle to tear the men from their flags. The men then
were handed passes to be able to return home and return to their families. Lee
and Grant signed the surrender of the Confederate army in the Maclean house. [ZH] We visited the Appomattox courthouse on April 9th
2013.

One of my favorite books is "Traveller", it's the story of the Civil War told from the point of view of Robert E. Lee's horse. You may borrow it when you get hime!
ReplyDeleteGood timing!!!
ReplyDeleteNever surrender Zoe!!!
ReplyDelete