The End of the Road: Re-enacting the surrender at Appomattox
APPOMATTOX, Va. (AP) — The surrender of Confederate Robert E. Lee to Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant 150 years ago Thursday was the definitive milestone of the end of the Civil War. This is a rolling account of Thursday’s commemoration of the anniversary, including a reenactment of Lee’s last clash with Grant’s troops and the Confederate surrender in a Virginia farmhouse. Interspersed are historical accounts of events 150 years ago. – By STEVE SZKOTAK, Associated Press
- American Civil War re-enactors from the 26th North Carolina Infantry gather on the porch of the Peers House, where the last cannon shot of was fired by the Army of Northern Virginia before General Robert E. Lee surrendered, at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Tomorrow marks the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- Confederate re-enactors march back to camp after a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, Va., Thursday, April 9, 2015. The battle was the final battle of the army of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before his surrender to Union troops. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
- Confederate troops fire muskets at Union troops during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, Va., Thursday, April 9, 2015. The battle was the final battle of the army of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before his surrender to Union troops. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
- Confederate officers watch the battle along with visitors during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, Va., Thursday, April 9, 2015. The battle was the final battle of the army of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before his surrender to Union troops. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
- Visitors watch a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, Va., Thursday, April 9, 2015. The battle was the final battle of the army of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before his surrender to Union troops. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
- A Confederate flag bearer watches the battle during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, Va., Thursday, April 9, 2015. The battle was the final battle of the army of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before his surrender to Union troops. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
- Confederate officers direct troops during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, Va., Thursday, April 9, 2015. The battle was the final battle of the army of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before his surrender to Union troops. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
- Confederate re-enactors march back to camp after a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in Appomattox, Va., Thursday, April 9, 2015. The battle was the final battle of the army of Confederate General Robert E. Lee before his surrender to Union troops. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactor Thomas Lee Jessee, portraying Gen. Robert E. Lee, greets re-enactoes portraying members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry greet Thomas Lee Jessee, a re-enactor portraying Gen. Robert E. Lee, following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors portraying Confederate artillery fire their cannons during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors acting as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry leave the field of battle following a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- Spectators watch as American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Union cavalry take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry receive final instructions before taking part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Confederate cavalry take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Confederate cavalry take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox as spectators watch at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- Spectators watch as American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Union cavalry take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Confederate cavalry and infantry take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as members of the North Carolina 26th infantry march during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House as spectators watch at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- An American Civil War re-enactor dressed as a member of the North Carolina 26th infantry watches Union cavalry take their position during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 9, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- Spectators watch as American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Union and Confederate forces take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Confederate cavalry and artillery take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as Confederate cavalry take part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox as spectators watch at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry march during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry march during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors dressed as members of the North Carolina 26th Infantry march during a re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Today is the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- David Dunn (C), an American Civil War re-enactor assigned to the 26th North Carolina Infantry, talks with Union re-enactors David Bloom (L) and Jon Psotka (R) in front of the Peers House at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Tomorrow marks the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- American Civil War re-enactors from the 26th North Carolina Infantry gather on the porch of the Peers House, where the last cannon shot of was fired by the Army of Northern Virginia before General Robert E. Lee surrendered, at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Tomorrow marks the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
- David Dunn, an American Civil War re-enactor assigned to the 26th North Carolina Infantry, talks with Union re-enactors at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park April 8, 2015 in Appomattox, Virginia. Tomorrow marks the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House at Appomattox, Virginia. The surrender marked the beginning of the end of the American Civil War in 1865. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
2015:
Ahead of the battle reenactment, the boys of the Confederate 11th Virginia were a seemingly pretty cool bunch as those portraying Union troops gathered several fields away at Appomattox Court House amid the rolling farm country dotted by neat brick buildings and white picket fences.
But a stoic Chris Ferree couldn’t contain his excitement when asked about his role in the 150th commemoration of Lee’s surrender here, effectively ending the Civil War 150 years ago Thursday.
“This is an awesome place to be,” said Ferree, a Roanoke resident. “We’re all excited to be here.”
The Confederate re-enactors were a ragtag, mismatched group of heavy wool coats, ill-fitting trousers and more types of hats than a haberdashery. Dozens stood along a rough wooden fence, their muskets stacked at the ready.
The Union and Southern re-enactors spent the night encamped in tents at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.
2015:
The smell of wood smoke greeted the first of thousands of visitors expected to throng the park for several days of commemorative events. The outline of Union troops in formation could be seen in fields as visitors approached the park.
Perry Miller of Salisbury, a re-enactor with the North Carolina 28th from Salisbury, explained the strategy succinctly: “We’re trying to break through the Union lines.”
1865:
Lee’s forces were in a state of increasing disarray in the hours before Lee formally called it quits. So the Associated Press reported 150 years ago this week. AP reported that ragged, hungry Southern soldiers, many straggling and on the run from federal forces, began giving up alone and in small bunches before the official surrender. Days earlier in April 1865, the Union Army had already smashed their way into the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
Lee’s forces, seeking an escape route, had crossed the Appomattox River while burning bridges, AP reported 150 years ago this week. Union forces “attacked them vigorously” in the hours before the official surrender, convincing Lee the fight was over. AP reporting from the last days cited accounts as saying “the road for miles was strewn with broken down wagons, caissons, and baggage of all kinds, presenting a scene seldom witnessed on the part of Lee’s army.”
Editors Note: The Associated Press was there for the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox in 1865 and again is there today for the 150th commemoration of the end to the nation’s bloodiest conflict. This reports draws on reported of anniversary events from an AP reporter at the scene Thursday. For historical matters, it draws primarily from wartime dispatches credited to The Associated Press or other accounts distributed through the AP and other historical sources. Here is a look at events both past and present as the anniversary is being observed.