On soil once owned by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that was eventually transformed into a national cemetery, Civil War enthusiasts gathered to remember the 150th anniversary of Lee's surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House.
The April 4 twilight and night event was hosted by the National Park Service Arlington House staff and included period costumes, Civil War era dance numbers, a tour of gravesites of a number of officers present at Appomattox and walk-throughs of the Lee Mansion interior.
The gravesite tours, which took place in the vicinity of Lee's home, also delved into the creation of the cemetery nearly 151 years ago.
"We're going to see about eight to 10 graves," said volunteer Dave Pearson, who led the 15-minute walks to gravesites of such notables as Union Gen. Edward Ord and Gen. Philip Sheridan. "The first stop is at Montgomery Meigs' grave. He was not at Appomattox, but he's the reason there is a cemetery here."
Meigs, U.S. Army Quartermaster General in 1864, ordered burials to start on the Lee plantation that year.
NPS rangers also gave talks about the historical background of Arlington House and the conclusion of the Civil War.
"This particular area of Northern Virginia, what is now Arlington County, was jubilant [in April, 1985] about the news that was coming from the Army of the Potomac," National Park Service's Matt Penrod told the gathering. "People experienced joy that this [war] and the killing, death and destruction were coming to an end.
"Right at the very beginning of the war, the house we stand before was occupied by federal troops," Penrod continued. "This house was an Army headquarters. Generals and their families lived in it. The grounds became a vast military complex. Forts, about a dozen, were built surrounding this property. Early in the war, President [Abraham] Lincoln and his generals understood the relevance and the importance of this property."
The April evening in 2015 concluded with a memorial to nearly 775,000 troops who lost their lives and many are buried in ANC. The program finished with a hilltop candlelight vigil and moment of silence for the Civil War dead who died in battle from 1861 to 1865.
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