Archibald MCKINLEY (Left) and fellow Confederate veterans during the war.
Spring brings about thoughts of gardening, farming, outside activities and other iconic images of the season. However, it is important to remember that for many of us, the memory of the sacrifices of our ancestors become very relevant in the April and May time of year.
In April 1865, and for more than a week following the fall of Richmond, the Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee, attempted to outrun, outfight, and outmaneuver the numerically superior forces of Union General Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Potomac.
The Confederates moved along the along the Appomattox River with Union Gen. Phillip Sheridan shadowing their movements to the south.
For Lee the situation was desperate. A lack of food and other supplies was taking a toll on his men, many of which lacked even shoes or boots at this point. Lee had hoped for resupply at Amelia Courthouse but when his men arrived at the tiny crossroads only ammunition and cannons awaited them. Some in Lee's army began to desert. One fourth of Lee's army was cut off and captured by Grant during this time and one of Lee's sons was among the captured.
When the remainder of Lee's army arrived at Appomattox the path was blocked by the Army of the Potomac. Knowing the time had come, Lee requested a meeting with Grant on the afternoon of April 9th.
The two met at Henry McClean's house at 2pm. McClean had originally lived at Bull Run, VA and was living there when the war began. His house and property was so disrupted by this early battle that he removed his family to the Virginia interior to avoid the war altogether. Now, four years later, the war was ending in his house. McClean is quoted as saying, "I'm the only man to have the war begin in my front yard and end in my parlor."
Grant offered generous terms to Lee. Both men knew the blood-letting of the last four years had taken a toll on the entire nation and that this was no time for retribution. Officers could keep their side arms, and all the men would be released immediately to return home. Any men with horses or mules would be allowed to take them home in order to help with the spring planting.
Lee was acceptable to the terms of the surrender and said, (the terms) would have "the best possible effect upon the men," and "will do much toward conciliating our people." The papers were signed and Lee transitioned from a military leader to an American legend.
After the surrender Lee commissioned his men to "make as a good a citizens as you have soldiers." As Lee rode through the ranks of the Army of Northern Virginia on his white horse named Traveler, the men were quiet and many cried. Boys and men from places strung out across the South were represented in the mixture of ragged, barefoot, and hungry soldiers, eager for peace but committed to their duty. So ended the war and the men of the Army of Northern Virginia stacked their arms in silence and in humble admiration the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac withheld cheers or exhilaration and the war in Virginia officially came to a close.
Yet Lee's surrender did not end the war. Other Confederate armies were still in the field on a thousand far flung fields of the Confederacy. General Nathan Bedford Forrest commented that if "one road led to hell and the other to surrender" he was unsure which he'd take and began contemplating a retreat to Texas and carrying on a guerrilla war against the Union.
General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865. Men like John William McKinley and two of his cousins began the long trip home from North Carolina on May 4th.
Meanwhile in Southwest Alabama a ten day Federal operation from Blakely to Claiborne began on April 10th. The raid, conducted by Lucas and his troops, traveled north along what is now Highway 59. The troops used Montgomery Hill Baptist Church as a stable and camp. Chicken coops and crops were raided by the Northern troops along this route yet little was available for them to steal in that most of the residents were impoverished from the years of war. Lt. Gen. Chrysler's men raided the Claiborne Courthouse during the operation and took away the Claiborne Guard's flag which had hung on the wall since the beginning of the war.
With the surrender of General Taylor's forces at the McGee farm the war would end in South Alabama as well and a new era would begin.
April 2009 is Confederate History Month. This year's theme is "The Year of Admiral Raphael Semmes 1809-2009." The Sons of Confederate Veterans is proud to offer free Confederate History Month posters to commemorate the event. Pick up your free poster at 100 North Main Street Atmore, Alabama between 8am-5pm Monday through Friday-while supplies last.
