Appomattox Court House * Tour the Village
The After the Surrender wayside marker is to the northeast of the village along Virginia Route 24. It is at the same pull off as The Popularizer of the Banjo – Virginia historical marker M68.
Here Lee paused on his return to his headquarters from surrendering the army and was surrounded by his soldiers in an emotional farewell.
from the marker:
After the Surrender
The depression before you is the trace of the old Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road. Gen. Robert E. Lee rode this route both to and from his meeting with Grant on April 9, 1865. His return to the army – as he passed towards his headquarters atop the ridge in front of you – turned poignant when hundreds of Confederate soldiers surged around him.
“…shouts sank into silence, every hat was raised, and the bronzed faces of the thousands of grim warriors were bathed with tears… [They] pressed around the noble chief, trying to take his hand, touch his person, or even lay a hand upon his horse…
“The general then, with head bare and tears flowing freely down his manly cheeks, bade adieu to the army. In a few words he told the brave men who had been so true in arms to return to their homes and become worthy citizens.”
– Brig. Gen. Armisted L. Long, CSA
From the caption at the bottom center for the background illustration and inset drawing:
On his return from the village, Lee paused for a time at the orchard before you, waiting for the promised rations from the Federal army to arrive. Then he continued on to his headquarters, his work as army commander done. Meanwhile his army received food (left) from their former enemies – the first food many Confederates had been issued in days.
Location:
The wayside marker is on the west side of Virginia Route 24 northeast of the Visitor Center at a pull off on the north side of the highway.