The pieces are coming together as I begin a 3 session class about the Battle of Appomattox that after the first session brought me to tears. Tears for the men who died even one week before the key surrender (though of course not the end of the war). Hearing about the siege of Petersburg, seeing the maps that show the whole region from Richmond to Appomattox, having read and gotten to know through books and reenactments and symposiums and trips and songwriting some of the people and events over the past year. Amazing. I feel like I know these men and women somewhat and can feel the heartbreaking end as it draws near.
So why the tears. From the beginning, I, like many was intrigued by the brilliance and fighting spirit of General Lee and his corps of generals and soldiers.Yet horrified by the damage that was done in their names. So as I hear about Lee's words in a letter to to 'President' Davis that he received during St. Paul Sunday church services, that it was time to evacuate Richmond, I felt the sadness and defeat to come.
I think it is absolutely necessary that we should abandon our position tonight…
Telegram from Robert E. Lee, in Petersburg, to Jefferson Davis, in Richmond, April 2, 1865.
(quoted in The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac, 1861-1865, E.B. Long with Barbara Long 1971; reprint, New York: Da Capo Press, 1971), 663)
Jefferson Davis abandoned the capital late that night on a train bound for Danville, Virginia.He was eventually captured on May 10 Description of Jefferson Davis' capture
Lee held on with 55, 000 men against the Union's 100,000 Army of the Potomac, the James and the Shenendoah as they thwarted his efforts to reach Danville in the south. These Federals created parallel lines in an attempt to outrun Lee's 4 converging lines of soldiers, calvary, wagons and even sailors unused to forced marches.
I can see the path now that I want to take over the course of the week that I'll be travelling. Richmond for a day, Petersburg and surroundings, then west to Appomattox stopping along the trail of defeat. Joined I hope by a friend during the week and then to the mountains west for the end.
The route of Lee's retreat and the battles between Richmond and Appomattox
Joined, or course, by thousands of others on the same journey. One month to go.
