We said goodbye to Richmond this morning and headed into the countryside.
By midday we were at Appomattox Court House National Historic Park the site where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General U.S. Grant. The two introductory slide presentations and exhibits were woefully outdated and featured overly dramatic sound tracks that made me think that Alfred Hitchcock would appear at any moment. The saving grace was the Park Ranger led walk through the village and tour of the surrender site. We learned about the history of village, why the two armies ended up at this particular place and about the two leaders and how they each dealt with the situation.
By midday we were at Appomattox Court House National Historic Park the site where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General U.S. Grant. The two introductory slide presentations and exhibits were woefully outdated and featured overly dramatic sound tracks that made me think that Alfred Hitchcock would appear at any moment. The saving grace was the Park Ranger led walk through the village and tour of the surrender site. We learned about the history of village, why the two armies ended up at this particular place and about the two leaders and how they each dealt with the situation.
We were particularly struck by how gentlemanly they both were. There were no egos on display. Up until that time U.S. Grant was known as Unconditional Surrender Grant. At Appomattox he purposefully chose to allow the Southern forces and their General a measure of respect and dignity.
The first battle of the Civil War was at Manassas, Virginia and Wilmer McLean owned a home very close to the battle site. He decided it was a good idea to get out of town and decamped to the sleepy village at Appomattox Court House. But alas the war returned to his doorstep and the General’s used his parlor to discuss and sign the surrender document.
It was a good tour that answered many questions and yet had us still talking and questioning as we drove on to our next destination.
The first battle of the Civil War was at Manassas, Virginia and Wilmer McLean owned a home very close to the battle site. He decided it was a good idea to get out of town and decamped to the sleepy village at Appomattox Court House. But alas the war returned to his doorstep and the General’s used his parlor to discuss and sign the surrender document.
It was a good tour that answered many questions and yet had us still talking and questioning as we drove on to our next destination.
On long car trips we frequently listen to a book while we drive. Today we finished “The Bedford Boys” by Alex Kershaw. It’s the story of the 116th Regiment of the 29th Division who were in the first wave of soldiers on Omaha beach on June 6, 1944. There were many young men from Bedford, VA in the regiment and 19 of them died that morning – and 3 more in the next few days. Many others were badly wounded. Bedford lost more sons on D-day than any other American town. The book tells their stories, and the story of the town and people they left behind.
So tonight we are in Bedford. We had dinner in the Restaurant that now occupies the old train depot from which the “boys” departed. Tomorrow we will visit the National D-Day Memorial and learn more about these men and this town.
So tonight we are in Bedford. We had dinner in the Restaurant that now occupies the old train depot from which the “boys” departed. Tomorrow we will visit the National D-Day Memorial and learn more about these men and this town.