Greathall Productions, Inc. presents...
Introduction
Jim's Studio
Photos from Our Travels to Literary and Historical Sites
that Relate to Greathall Recordings in:
The United States: Virginia
Ireland
New Zealand
How to Build a Castle (France, 2013)
Photos from Here & ThereThere are 6 pages of pictures of Virginia. This is page 3.
1 - Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and Poplar Forest
2 - Red Hill, The Patrick Henry National Memorial
3 - Appomattox Court House Historical National Park
4- Mount Vernon, Home of George Washington
5 - Colonial Williamsburg
6 - Montpelier, James Madison's Home
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Appomattox, Virginia
About 30 minutes away from Patrick Henry's home, Red Hill, is Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, the site where Robert E. Lee surrendered the main Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. More than 60,000 Union troops pursued Lee to Appomattox Court House, catching him among three Union forces. On April 9, 1865, they finally blocked Lee's way out. Today, the park is beautiful with sweeping, hilly views in all directions.
Jim stands near where Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant stopped by the side of the road and wrote a note announcing Lee's surrender. This message of peace included no gloating or exultation. Grant's behavior was such that Lee, to the end of his life, never allowed Grant's name to be insulted in his presence.
This portrait of war says it all—great tragedy and sadness on both sides right up to the last moment.
Here you see Jim standing near where the Army of Northern Virginia engaged in its final combat—the last shot happening near this home.
The visitor center at Appomattox County Court House, where the old Court House stood.
Another view of the Court House and surrounding village.
The site of the second, April 10th meeting between Lee and Grant at Appomattox Court House.
A beautiful portrait of two great men: Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant
Grant's soldiers searched the village for an appropriate place to sign the official treaty to end the conflict. The local tavern pictured above was too run down for such an event. Instead, printing presses were established here in order to print parole passes for Confederate soldiers to safely return home. It's important to note that the officers were permitted to keep their arms and all were allowed to keep horses "to help with the Spring planting", and so they could return home with dignity.
More information on the Tavern.
Wilmer McClean, a property owner at Appomattox Court House, offered the parlor of his affluent home to serve for the signing of the surrender papers between Grant and Lee.
A portrait of the official signing in the McClean House palor.
Photo of the McClean House parlor.
Doesn't the McCleans' dining room look inviting?
The McClean House kitchen.
A blessing for the food prepared in the McClean kitchen.
The McClean master bedroom gives one an idea of what it was like to live in Appomattox, Virginia in 1865, as an affluent family.
The children's room looks especially fun.
Anyone interested in shopping during in the town Appomattox in the mid-1800’s might visit a shop just like this one! It’s not exactly like your local store is it?
Here is a more typical bedroom for the people of Appomattox. It makes one really appreciate his/her bedroom today, doesn't it?
Here we join a group of travelers to Appomattox who are engaged in a stimulating discussion about the woes of being a soldier. This young Union Soldier is describing his life in Appomattox, VA at the end of the Civil War.
Down the road from the Appomattox Historical Park, you will find the site of General Lee's Headquarters.
Can you imagine General Lee's pain and disappointment in knowing the time had come to surrender?
Jim reads the marker explaining the chain of events to Lee's surrender.
What Jim was reading.
From this point, one has several choices; one is to walk 500 feet up the path to reach the site of General Lee's final headquarters.
These woods have a bit of a haunting feel as one pictures them filled with Lee's troops and the air of intense angst, disappointment and humility in the upcoming surrender.
Why Lee had no choice left except surrender.
Real men on both sides strove to restore honor and dignity to the country. General Chamberlain had been the Union hero against Lee's forces at Gettysburg, for which he received the Medal of Honor. Later, he was Governor of Maine, then President of Bowdoin College. His spontaneous gesture honoring the Confederates at Appomattox was typical of him, and was reciprocated at once.
And… as we were leaving Appomattox, we came upon this highway marker. This might inspire a bit of research from the banjo fans reading this account.
Click here to go to the previous page...
Introduction
Photos from Our Travels to Literary and Historical Sites
that Relate to Greathall Recordings in:
The United States: Virginia
Ireland
New Zealand
How to Build a Castle (France, 2013)
Photos from Here & There
About Jim Weiss | Storytelling Recordings
A Letter from Jim & Randy | Jim's Photo Album
Timeline of Recordings | Travel Calendar | Book a Live Performance
| Jim Writes...
Jim Weiss
Post Office Box 5061
Charlottesville, Virginia 22905-5061
(800) 477-6234 (434) 296-4490 FAX