Appomattox, Virginia

The Americamps park in Ashland, VA, has been very quiet since the weekend crowd left, but a colorful rv was in residence last night that I just had to take a photo of as it left this morning.

Yeah, that's a '54 Chevy pickup!

Then, in keeping with our interest in the Civil War and the history of areas we have visited this summer, we left Richmond, the Capitol of Virginia and the Capitol of the Confederacy, and drove the 107 miles to Appomattox, Virginia, roughly following the route of General Lee's Retreat from Richmond through Amelia Courthouse, Jetersville, Sailor's Creek, and Farmville.

After the fall of Petersburg on April 2, 1865, just South of Richmond, after a long and grueling siege, the Confederate positions in Richmond became untenable. General Lee advised President Jefferson Davis to abandon the Capitol, and began to move his troops westward to Amelia Court House, Virginia, where they could be resupplied at the railroad depot by supplies evacuated from Richmond. Fighting skirmishes along the way, Lee arrived at Amelia Court House on April 4, finding only a meager supply of rations and a railroad that was in Union hands, blocking his path to the south.

Pursued by Federal troops, Lee was forced to continue west, fighting his way through Sailor's Springs on April 6, High Bridge on the 7th, Farmville also on the 7th, finally reaching Appomattox Station on April 8, 1865. Bracketed by Union troops to the South, the North, and the East, Lee begged for supplies for his exhausted troops from the local residents. Not having much luck with his plea, Lee rested his army for a few hours, unfortunately giving Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer enough time to seize a supply train and 25 guns that were to re-supply Lee. This action on the west side of Appomattox Court House, at Appomattox Station, effectively blocked Lee's path. With rations and supplies exhausted or destroyed, Lee's last hope was to outmatch the Union pursuers to Lynchburg where there were more rations and supplies. Confederate Generals MacKenzie, Crook, and Gordon were unable to establish a firm escape route, and when General Gordon reported back to General Lee that "I have fought my corps to a frazzle, and I fear I can do nothing..." Soon after, Lee's cavalry, seeing the situation, immediately withdrew and rode off unhindered towards Lynchburg.

General Lee, upon hearing that news, and assessing the positions of the armies stated the inevitable: "Then there is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant...I would rather die a thousand deaths." Lee surrendered his army at 3 pm on April 9, 1865.

We had to visit Appomattox.

We're parked in the Parkview Mobile Home and RV Park, site C11. I was a bit skeptical when I saw the "mobile home" designation, but we decided to risk it since this is simply right in the middle of the historic Appomattox area. The park has turned out to be a wonderful choice, with wide sites paved with asphalt grindings which provides a surface just as hard as asphalt paving. The utilities are strong, but wifi is missing. ATT service is great, however, and local tv channels come from Charlottesville, VA.

A small front drifted through this evening, providing us with a great sky!

We're not long for Appomattox, since the area is small and compact. We hope to stuff a full day tomorrow with Civil War history. I know you can't wait....