Sunday, January 22, 2017
Time sure flies when we're having fun! My lack of blogging is proof of that! It's been a long time since my last blog -- about seven months. My goodness! It's a good thing I took notes!! Time to catch up...
Saturday, June 25, 2016
This was our last morning here in Hendersonville, NC. It was still quite warm as we packed up and prepared to make our way to the great state of Virginia. We're looking forward to exploring the beauty of this state.
 |
Seal of the State of Virginia. came
across this at a rest area |
Our first stop was in Fort Chiswell, located in the southwest corner of Virginia, at the intersection of interstate 77 and interstate 81. We found a very nice RV Park here in Chiswell, Fort Chiswell RV Park. If you're ever in the area and in need of a place to stay, we highly recommend this park...
 |
| treed, graveled lots |
 |
| out for a walk |
 |
| view of the rolling hills from the back of the park |
The temperatures have cooled down, all the way to the mid-70's. We have decided to stay an extra day in order to enjoy the weather and the beauty of this area.
It was very nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy our time here without roasting in the heat!
Monday, June 27
We departed Ft. Chiswell under sunny skies. The weather has turned hot once again. We headed to Appomattox.
Appomattox is located in south central Virginia, just east of Lynchburg. Named after the Appomattox River, the Town of Appomattox is located just three miles from the Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, which is also known as Clover Hill. This is the site of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. We are looking forward to visiting the National Park.
There are not many RV parks in this area. We stayed at Parkview Mobile Home and RV Park, chosen due to it's proximity to the National Park (it is located about one mile from the National Park). Directly across from the park is the Museum of the Confederacy.
The park is located in a field and abuts a portion of the battlefield...
Tuesday, June 28
Another hot day with temps in the low 90's. We headed off early this morning to
Appomattox Court House National Park...
Originally the village of Appomattox Court House was known as Clover Hill. It was a small settlement with a few houses around the tavern, a stopping off point on the main Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road. When the county of Appomattox was formed in 1845, Clover Hill was chosen as the the county seat and renamed Appomattox Court House. The next year the court house was built. Slowly the settlement grew into a village of homes, stores and lawyers' offices. Today, the National Park closely resembles the village at the time of Lee's surrender. There are still several original structures standing from 1865 including the Clover Hill Tavern, Meeks Store, as well as Woodson Law Office to name a few.
We began our visit at the Appomattox Court House, which now houses the visitors center...
 |
reconstructed Appomattox Court House; now the visitors center. the
original court house was built in 1846 and destroyed by fire in 1892.
none of the surrender events took place here |
 |
| side view of the court house |
 |
| look closely; the brick is wavy |
 |
| a portion of the village |
 |
| another view |
 |
Meeks General Store, one of the original buildings. Constructed in 1852, at the time of the
surrender it was used as both a general store and post office, both operated by
Francis Meeks |
 |
| example of what you find at the general store |
 |
| Ron in front of the General Store |
 |
every county has a jail. Appomattox was no exception. prisoners were kept upstairs. the
original jail burned during the war years; the new county jail was built in 1867 |
 |
| used to shackle prisoners to the floor |
 |
| some were lucky and had use of a cot |
 |
| I'll parole him for good behavior! |
 |
| reproduction of slave quarters |
 |
| part of the original foundation of the slaves quarters |
 |
former guest house and kitchen for Clover Hill Tavern, these buildings now house the gift
shop and rest rooms |
 |
| pretty typical of the architecture of the region |
 |
| the brown building, next to the general store, is a reproduction of a law firm |
On April 9, 1865, Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in the parlor of Wilmer McLean's House. During the war, Wilmer McLean and his family left their home in Manassas, Va. for business purposes. He was a sugar speculator and bought the property at Appomattox Court House in the fall of 1862 to be near the railroad. The McLean House was chosen as the site of the surrender as the court house was closed (the circuit judge was not in town), and it was the nicest home in town.
 |
| McLean House. the white building on the left was the kitchen. |
 |
| this white outbuilding housed the well |
 |
| the well |
 |
| the parlor where the surrender took place |
 |
| Wilmer McLean's bedroom |
 |
| dining room |
 |
| the back of the McLean House. the white building is the kitchen |
 |
| inside the kitchen |
When Grant and Lee sat down in the parlor of Wilmer McLean's home, rather than inter the Confederates in a prisoner of war camp, Grant asked only that the Confederates pledge not to take up arms against the United States. In a very generous act, Gen. Grant paroled the Confederates. Officers were allowed to keep their side arms and any Confederate soldier who owned a horse was allowed to take it home with him. The generous terms began the process of reunification.
To print the parole passes Confederates needed to return to their homes, printing passes were set up in the Clover Hill Tavern...
 |
| Clover Hill Tavern. built in 1819 this is the oldest existing structure |
Printers worked in relays to print 30,000 blank forms. By April 11, the paroles were ready for distribution to the Southern Camps...
 |
| parole passes drying |
 |
| printing presses |
 |
| Clover Hill Tavern was where we gathered for living history talks |
On the morning of April 12, 1865, about 5,000 Federal troops lined the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road near the McLean House to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. The weapons, flags and accoutrements of Lee's infantry were stacked along the fences before the Federals in a formal surrender ceremony that Brig. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain dubbed "Honor answering honor."
 |
| Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road |
We learned many things today and had a wonderful time exploring Appomattox Court House National Park. The living history talks were amazing.
Til next time,
Dawn, Ron & Coop
