Appomattox Court House

Our journey to Appomattox Court House began over two years ago, when we took our family on a "Civil War Battlefields" adventure on the East Coast and we were watching reenactments at the 150th anniversary commemoration at Gettysburg.  At that time, we thought "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to be at Appomattox Court House in April, 2015 to commemorate the Sesquicentennial anniversary of the end of the Civil War?"

It was just wishful thinking at the time, but as fate would have it, we find ourselves temporarily residing in the right place at the right time, just a few short hours away from this historic place in its Sesquicentennial year, so how could we not attend? 

Walking into the village

Appomattox Court House village is where the Civil War ended in April 1865.  The iconic image of this momentous event is that of Robert E. Lee, the General of the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendering to Ulysses S. Grant, the General of the Union Army, and then tipping his hat and riding away on his white horse, Traveler.  

The Appomattox Court House

Ironically, the surrender took place at the home of Wilmer McLean, the man who had a cannon ball fall into his soup pot down his chimney at the battle of First Manassas at the first major battle of the Civil War.  After the surrender, he rightfully claimed that the war started in his back yard and ended in his front parlor!  McLean had moved to Appomattox Court House village to get away from the war.  Sometimes you can't escape your fate!

General Robert E. Lee, with the McLean House in the background (where the surrender terms were negotiated)

The surrender at Appomattox Court House was the culmination of events that started days before, when the Confederate defensive line from Richmond to Petersburg collapsed.  Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet evacuated to Danville (the "Danville Train" of the song), and Robert E. Lee attempted to link his half-starved army of between 20,000 and 30,000 with General Johnston's army located in North Carolina.  But Phil Sheridan's cavalry and General Grant's foot soldiers kept him from making the turn to the South or getting resupplied by train and eventually cornered Lee at the Village of Appomattox Court House on April 8-9, 1865.

Picture of the village of Appomattox Court House from the road below

The surrender actually took place over several days.  After the terms were concluded on April 9th, the Confederate forces marched into the village by divisions and stacked their arms and military equipment and received paroles to return home.

Confederate troops marching in to surrender their arms

Confederate artillery being moved

Confederate soldiers stacking arms in front of the courthouse

The National Park Service commemorated the surrender events in real time.  We we weren't able to get down there until the 11th, which meant we missed seeing General Robert E. Lee ride up on his white horse, Traveler, to meet with General Ulysses S. Grant and work out the terms of surrender.  We did get a picture of "General Lee" on horseback, though!

General Robert E. Lee

It was a beautiful day, filled with various reenactments of the stacking of arms and surrender of artillery and commemorations and informational lectures by NPS Rangers.  Our teenage history buffs gave it a two thumbs up!  

Below are a few more photos with scenes from the day.  

Clover Hill Tavern, where they printed and issued paroles

Union Troops taking the field

Firing demonstration by Union Troops

The parlor of the McLean House, where the terms of surrender were negotiated.

Da boys and the General 

On the porch of a house owned by a lawyer during the Civil War and by a free African American family shortly after the war (1867).  They are buried in a small plot behind the house.

Confederate troop encampment near Peers House

Confederate artillery fired from here on Union troops
the morning of April 9th in the last battle.

Peers House constructed c.1855.

Another structure in the process of being restored

Confederate boys resting in the shade

Brass field artillery

Union Officers outside the Clover Hill Tavern

Cherry Blossoms

The blustery and cold East Coast winter pretty much guaranteed the cherry blossoms would bloom late this year.  

When we returned to the DC-area after Spring Break, the cherry blossoms were approaching the "fluffy white" stage, and forecasters were predicting that peak bloom (when 70 percent of the blossoms are open) would occur when we were out of town that following weekend.  We were bummed that we were going to miss seeing the world famous DC cherry blossoms!

The cherry blossoms did peak while we were gone, but they were still magnificent when we got back. While hubby and the boys couldn't miss work and school, my schedule is a bit more flexible.  When I saw the news reports on Monday morning, saying it was going to be the last day to view the cherry blossoms this year because the rains were coming in, I headed out the door!    

A short metro ride later, and after LOTS of walking (I got off a few metro stops early to avoid the crowds), I found myself at the Tidal Basin.  While there are cherry trees all over DC, the Tidal Basin is where the 1,700 prized Yoshino cherry trees are planted, a gift from Japan in the early 1900s.  

The iPhone photos don't do it justice, but believe me, it was breathtaking!  

Some of the cherry blossoms were closer to the "fluffy white" stage . . .

while others were turning pink.

Most of the time, I found myself walking underneath a canopy of gorgeous, blossoming branches.

The views of the Jefferson Memorial (above) and the Washington Monument (below) from the Tidal Basin are already gorgeous, but the cherry blossoms made it even more spectacular.  

Every now and then there would be a gust of wind that would cause a few cherry blossoms to fall off the trees, gently showering the passersby.

I am so glad I decided to go down there that day to take it all in.  A long walk amidst all the beauty made for the perfect day!

No Place Like It

No place like HOME, that is!  

We had the good fortune to travel home for Spring Break.

If we could use only one word to sum up the trip, it would be GRATITUDE.

We are so grateful for the love and support of family and friends, the time we got to spend reconnecting with everyone, the great sleeps and yummy meals and delicious treats, the wine (!), the laughs and togetherness, the playdates and chances the kids had to see old friends, the help with projects around the farm, the sweet bouquet of flowers on the doorstep, and the many, many other kind and thoughtful gestures that made our time even more special and fun.  

We are also grateful for the incredible surprises, like driving in the driveway to find that our lawn was freshly mowed and the beds in front and the jungle in the back was manicured and tended. (Thank you again neighbors, you know who you are!  That was above and beyond, and we are so appreciative!!) 

But perhaps the biggest surprise of all was when one of our cats that had been missing since last fall turned up in the driveway.  Add to the above our gratitude for the sweet neighbor girl who is willing to take care of her.  Here is the saucy minx pictured below, acting nonchalant, like we had just seen her yesterday.  If cats could talk, I'm sure we'd hear some stories!

We are counting our blessings and sending our heartfelt thanks to friends and family for your continued love and support.  For those of you we missed seeing, we hope to catch up with you next time!