Posted on 04/09/2026 10:42:44 AM PDT by JSM_Liberty
This week marks the 161st anniversaries of Surrender and Freedom Day at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, marking the beginning of the end of the Civil War. The park will host many events throughout the week to celebrate the anniversary and America’s 250th birthday.
The grounds of the Appomattox Court House village have a deep history, especially surrounding America’s bloodiest war. On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was surrounded by General Ulysses S. Grant’s army near the village. The two met on the ground at around 1 p.m., and by 3 p.m., the articles of surrender had been written up.
In the surrender, those serving in Lee’s army had to give up their guns, equipment, and flags, but were able to keep their horses and return home.
“When [people] hear the name ‘Appomattox Courthouse,’ they think the surrender happened in the courthouse building. But it actually happens in the village, in the McLean house,” said Brain Miller, the parks lead ranger. “We preserve the stories of everybody who lived here, and their experiences. We had some confederate soldiers who were in Lee’s army who surrendered here and had a short walk home; there are a lot of stories to tell.” Once General Lee’s surrender was final, it also freed those enslaved across the Commonwealth. At the time, a large majority of Appomattox County were enslaved, and subsequently freed.
“Here at Appomattox, of course, is a continuation of our, story here in America. It’s also, in some ways, the fulfillment of the Declaration of Independence. Because now with federal forces taking over this area, the enslaved are free,” said Miller. “It’s definitely an important year for us, and we’re excited to highlight both the story of America turning 250 and the 161st anniversaries here.” The five-day celebration will feature historical presentations, guided walks around the grounds, live demonstrations, and family activities. This is the park’s busiest time and expect over 2,000 visitors.
Entrance and parking at the park are free. You can go here for a full list of events.
“We, of course, preserve this historic village, not only for visitors to learn and appreciate, but for future generations to learn and appreciate,” said Miller. “If you haven’t been to Appomattox in a while, come see our beautiful grounds. Learn our stories. Interact. Catch ranger talks. Catch living history programs. There’s a lot to do and see.”
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And just as Lee predicted, the history was written by the enemy, and their sons and daughters are second class citizens in the country their grandfathers founded.
Apparently that marks the end of The War of Northern Aggression
A cousin of mine has a dozen letters that were written by our Uncle Charlie Brice and mailed to his mother in NC.
The last letter in the set was written by Charlie’s friend.
You can guess what it said.
It’s been a long long time since I saw them, but I still remember the nearly-perfect penmanship.
The letters I wrote in Vietnam stand in stark contrast.
General Johnston was still fighting in North Carolina
and ultimately surrendered at Durham-April 26, 1865.
I have three ancestors who fought for the North. Either they were illiterate (strong possibility) or nobody saved their letters.
The second Mrs. Lurkin has the letters written by her yankee ancestor. Penmanship and grammar all perfect. Wrote in two directions to save paper.
Nah…it just moved to the highways around Boston.
Not quite. There was still some fighting going on. The last land battle, at Palmito Ranch, Texas--a Confederate victory--occurred a few weeks later. And during the summer of 1865, the raider CSS Shenandoah captured a Yankee whaling fleet in the Bering Sea, doing far more than Greenpeace ever did to save whales.
IMHO, most of the trashing of southern history waited until the south started voting Republican.
“I have a copy of his diary”
The oldest that I am aware of in our family is some photographs taken in the 1890s or early 1900s
161st death of the original constitution day.
Johnson surrendered his army April 26, 1865; Gen Watie didn’t surrender until June 23, 1865, the last Confederate general to surrender his command.
Although, of course, Gen. “Fighting Joe” Wheeler commanded the troops at the Battle of San Juan Hill in 1898 - the last Confederate General to lead troops in battle.
It was a day of disaster for both countries.
Excellent point. The 1960s leftists were really starting to come into the ascendancy in Academia in the 80s and early 1990s. That's when political correctness became a thing. The South elected a majority Republican Congressional delegation for the first time since the Occupation in 1993. So you are definitely correct about those two things happening right around the same time. When you know somebody hates you and goes out of their way to trash you, your culture and your heritage, it makes you not very inclined to vote for them.
Lee never got his supply train. Custer told Col. Hammond and his NY 5th Cavalry Crown Point Morgan Chargers, “Go get that train, Boys!”
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