National military park. Were going to have him talk about the expert. He is everything you hope you find when you walk up to the desk of the park and you want to talk to that Great Southern gentleman with the great accent and he will tell you about southern charm. He has been told he is not southern enough. Is that right . Matt yes. I wish he would stop with the gentle man part. Eman part. E gentl gentleman, who was about to speak to you today. He comes from mississippi and well talk about the siege of mississippi. Anyone was ever have the opportunity to be was ever opportunity had the to be on a battlefield with him is kind of like having this immersive experience on the field. And it is kind of like having this standup comedy routine, where he charms hundreds of the visitors with his unique style. If you ever have the opportunity a listen to him speak, it is wonderful storytelling experience. Ado, i present matt atkinson. Matt i always hate the introduction. I think this may be the f
General grant, effectively ening the civil war. Well be live this afternoon for the next three hours as the commemoration continues today with reenactments of the gun stackings that took place on this day in 1865, when more than 22,000 general lees infantry troops turned over their weapons and battle flags. Also, later in our program, youll hear remarks from historian david bliegt who talks about the legacy of appomattox here at the park. Bru, first, we joined by the two men who played a starring role in thursdays ceremony, the surrender ceremony that you just saw here. We want to invite you to be part of the conversation. Glld what were you thinking as general lee rode away . Sadness. I felt for the confederate soldier. I knew they were suffering with the surrender after they had fought so hard for four long years. I felt the most climatic, the silence, no guns, no shouts, no battle songs. The silence was a sound that we had not heard for four years. And it occurred to me. General, yo
other enclaves along the coast of texas. but his main job in the remainder of 1862 was to strengthen the blockade. he wanted to move against mobile. but for reasons beyond his control the government put off that and kept putting it off until of course the summer of 1864. we re right on time which is always wonderful. [ applause ] you know, one of the great joys of being associated with this symposium is that we give historians their choice of who to nominate. i ll never forget when john kosky walked into my office with a big smile on his face and he says you ll never guess who mcpherson is going to do, david farragut. i went, really? that s interesting. and what a terrific talk, jim. thank you so much. it s 1:30. we re going to break for 15 minutes. be back in your chairs at a quarter to 2:00. for the tv audience, dr. mcpherson is going to take your questions. and earlier speakers had a great time handling a national audience. thank you. live on american history tv