Appomattox..."
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"The Road To Appomattox..."
One Hundred, Fifty years ago today, General Robert E. Lee, General of the Army of North Virginia, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant) at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
"The McLean House..."
General Robert E. Lee
It is said that Lee never forgot Grant's magnanimity during the surrender, and for the rest of his life would not tolerate an unkind word about Grant in his presence.
General U. S. Grant
President Abraham Lincoln
In less than one week, President Abraham Lincoln would be assassinated.
~shoes~
I can't tell you precisely why but this post made me cry a little bit. Was it what you said? What you didn't say? The pictures in my head of what that time must have been like? All of the above? I really couldn't tell you.
ReplyDeleteIn happier news, I did leave something for you on the HERE'S TO YOU post. Have a margarita after... you'll feel better:)
Good morning, Ms Robin...
ReplyDeleteI've been working on this post for some time... I was at Appomattox a few weeks ago... I've never been to Gettysburg... I hear the terms, 'hallowed ground' used with respect to that place...
I felt it here... I felt the hurt... the pain... the agony... the hope... of everyone involved.
One thing that moved Lee and Grant to agree to the terms of surrender was to spare the loss of any more lives... any more damage... any more harm... to anyone.
Lee's losses over the last 9 months of this endeavor had been huge...
It is said that Grant let Lee select the place of the meeting. One of the misconceptions is that the surrender occurred in a court house. 'Appomattox Court House' was actually the name of the community...
When they first met that day, Lee and Grant met alone and made small talk... they talked of times from the Mexican War... Lee was an officer in the U.S. Army at that time... Grant was a junior officer... and Grant told Lee that he remembered the time that Lee came and met with his unit.
Contrary to what we may think today, most of the officers in both armies knew each other... were friends with each other.
Anyway, I saw that my post, like this reply, became too long... too wordy. So I deleted most of it. Less is more, so I hear....
Today's 'history' about the Civil War is more about sound bites and bits of information than it is about the reality of that time.
I had ancestors that actually fought on both sides... I understand and respect them both for what they did... for what they felt they had to do...
One last note... Lee expected to be arrested after the surrender and taken into custody... so he wore his finest uniform to the meeting...
Grant allowed the soldiers of Lee's army to be pardoned... as long as they agreed to not later take up arms against the Union... and Grant made provisions available to Lee's forces.
Grant also issued orders that loud celebrations were not permitted... because, after the surrender, Lee and his forces were once again Americans...
I don't think this mentality could or would exist in today's world...
I will check out your page... I've missed "seeing" you...
Always...
~shoes~
Did u happen to see Daniel Day Lewis's portrayal? I don't know how much was Hollywood;s version,, I am hoping his personality was true... if so, he was a very humble man.. Mary wore the pants in that family- for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Chris... I saw parts of it... it seemed to drag so...
DeleteI think Abraham Lincoln had some good intentions... as popular as he seems to be today, he was not popular back then. He won election based on roughly 39% of the vote if my memory is correct...
Having said that, I do believe the weight of the war weighed heavily upon him... and that the preservation of the Union was of utmost concern to him.
I do believe that the South would have faired better had Lincoln not been assassinated.
~shoes~
What an excellent post and little history lesson in your comment. I agree with you that this would not be able to happen today. Grant and Lee were forced to fight a war but they were joined as one being both "Americans". War is stupid!!
ReplyDeleteHi there, Barb...
DeleteHistory is, indeed, an amazing topic... one learns that there are no clear cut answers to questions about things...
I've been reading about Lincoln's assassination some here lately... he was shot at Ford's Theater 150 years ago today...
It amazes me that, even then, that the door to the Presidential Suite was left unguarded...
If it was just a quirk event, it's amazing that so many similar events could be pieced together so easily.
I prefer Sherman's Quote... "War is Hell"...
~shoes~
Definitely need to get to Gettysburg in your lifetime, it is thought provoking. But you do need to stay on the Battlefield as once you get into town the General Pickett's Buffet and the Joe's Battlefield Fries gets a little disgusting. But overall the town is very nice.
ReplyDeleteIf you are up in this general area take in Antietam as well, it's more pristine. The walk along the sunken road, knowing all that went on at that very spot, is sobering.
Hard to believe just a few years ago we were getting excited around here for the 150th Anniversary of First Manassas (or Bull Run). And now the War is almost over again!
Hi there, Ryan... I most definitely want/need to get to Gettysburg... I had a friend that was up that way a few years ago... he traced Lee's approach up to Gettysburg, and then part of his retreat... said it was really interesting to view in that context.
DeleteThat four years went by quickly... I remember being at Vicksburg just before the 150th Anniversary of the events there...
I hope all is well for you up there...
~shoes~
I've been there too. Well worth the visit.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Good morning, Max...
DeleteHow is your music coming along?
More importantly, how is your mandolin playing progressing??
I want a mandolin, I think...
~shoes~
Very moving. I'd like to visit one day.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jules...
DeleteThe world is full of History... it's just important that we know all of the truth... not just snippets...
"A half-truth is a whole lie..."
I hope your World is getting better, dear..
~shoes~
Hello Red Shoes--
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well with you. And that things are moving in a good direction for you.
History is amazing. And we can learn so much from it. And on top of it bottomline is it is fascinating.
I am working with a friend on getting a dog park off the ground in South Memphis. The poorer side of Memphis. He needed some help. Little did he know that I was a task master and go to girl. Amazingly enough, he has done what I have asked him to do with having to be a nagging beyotch. So we are progressing. So I feel good about it.
They clearned Robert's house out sometime this week. I had to drive through old neighborhood going some place else and all his stuff was sitting on the curb. A lifetime on the curb. That and his name engraved on his resting place tells me that he really no longer is here on Earth. His things on the curb were the last piece of him left. Now, I have memories and hopes of seeing him in heaven.
Death certainly changes us. Most are saying now "You are so mellow now." Gone is the drama and attention seeking woman I used to be. Replaced is a woman whom knows what really counts. Well, I keep looking for ur updates to see where u are headed in this world.
Take care my friend.
"A lifetime on the curb."
DeleteHi there, Stormy...
Sadly enough, this is how most of us end our time on this planet...
Most of the stuff that we treasure isn't valued by anyone else and ends up trash out on the curb... waiting either for the trash collector or the hoarders that will come through and find something... and make it theirs...
I guess that's ok...
I am amazed at how stuff happens in Life... how stuff just casually strolls in and causes upset...
~shoes~
Thanks for sharing that history. So sad that Lincoln was assassinated a week later!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry...
DeleteThat week was an amazing week in History. It was expected that Lee might actually surrender at or around Petersburg, VA... because of that, Lincoln spent time close to that theater of action... I've read that when Lee started the Westward march, that Lincoln returned to Washington... the surrender occurs on Sunday, April 9th, 1865... which happened to be Palm Sunday, I believe...
First and foremost for Lincoln, was the preservation of the Union... even though the Civil War would drag on for a few months more, it was effectively over after Lee's surrender.
I would imagine that once Lincoln received word of the Surrender, that his level of relief must have been great...
It can only be speculation as to how things may have faired for this Country had Lincoln not been assassinated...
~shoes~
Hey Shoes!
ReplyDeleteI have read your post and there's most certainly much to contemplate. Yes, a precursor to that other event.
Have a peaceful weekend, my kind friend.
Gary
You've made me realize I need to take a road trip. I'm within a reasonable driving distance to several battlegrounds and have never been. I feel a better appreciation of them now that I've read this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHey Shoes! Good to see you're still popping in around the blogosphere. I hope you're doing well. Me? I'm doing phenomenal!! No complaints from me…not right now anyway.
Delete"I am amazed at how stuff happens in LIfe...how stuff just casually strolls in and causes upset..."
ReplyDeleteEvery last trace of him is gone. Gone in a mere 2 months. As though he never existed, just my memories and in my heart.
But I must take something from this tragedy. I must embrace the hurt and pain and remember the love and caring. And I need to do better in my life. Love more fully. Laugh more often. Not close that door. Leave that door open. I have another 20 to 30 good years left in me hopefully. U as well.
My goal. I won't broadcast my weight on the blogspot. However, I have been allowing my weight to allow me to hide from being scared to get involved with a man. And I can't do that any longer. I have to lose the weight. Get fit. And open myself up to being truly loved and cared for. I recognize it. Have recognized it for quite awhile. I was just fearful. Scared to be loved. As badly as we want it, we are afraid of it.
But no more. No more hiding. I can't do it anymore. Tick tock tick tock tick tock. And I want that companion in my life. To travel with. To sit outside and just enjoy the day. To go see historic sites. To just lounge around and watch tv or read a book. To make love. To do many many many things. And I have to take a step of faith and know that God will bring him into my life. But I have to do my part. Be prepared. Emotionally, spiritually and physically. I have to be pleasing to him but remain who I truly am at the same time.
I wonder if we will ever seen a man like Abraham Lincoln ever again today
ReplyDelete