APPOMATOX, Va. – A commemoration was held Thursday in Appomattox to mark the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
It was on April 9, 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse.
The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in our nation's history. In fact, 620,000 are believed to have died in the line of duty in the war that pitted brother against brother.
That is one of the reason Robert Krick with Richmond National Battlefield Park said respect was the primary theme of today's events.
"They're not exactly celebrations. They're commemorative in their tone, respectful of the people who are there and the fighting, too."
Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Sen. Tim Kaine attended the commemoration, which featured re-enactors and park rangers sharing stories about how the war came to an end.
“Is there any doubt that American leadership will be just as important in the future as it has been in the past?” Kaine said. “We are uniquely positioned to play a critical leadership role in addressing the many challenges that the world will face, but we must acknowledge that America cannot play the leadership role we are destined to play if we are divided against ourselves. That is the choice before us today as we think about the choice made here at this place 150 years ago.”
Photo from Creative Dog Media™ shows the Appomattox Court House where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865.
Photo from Creative Dog Media™ shows where Lee surrendered to Grant on the first floor of the McLean House.
