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Back in September 1975 when we two were learning how to road trip serendipitously, the two of us stumbled upon Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. On that visit we particularly remember standing in the McLean House and viewing the parlor where General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Potomac on April 9, 1865. We also remember looking out over the field where the the stacking of Confederate Arms took place three days later.
Today we returned after visiting Petersburg and Sailor’s Creek and the route of Lee’s Retreat. This time our focus was more on life in this part of rural Virginia in the 1860’s and upon Wilmer McLean owner of the house where the surrender occurred and his wartime business dealings. We walked the streets of this little hamlet where the circuit riding judge came once a month to hold court, visited a law office, and a general store. The courthouse is not presently open to the public but we did get to briefly visit the McLean house and it’s outbuildings. It’s still a quiet little place in which a monumental moment in American history transpired.
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