Ye linear deposit of hardware and nails and buttons and coins and actu actually the deposits of artifacts out there were so dense and we found glass ware and ceramics and based on the date range of them, i was fairly certain at that time that we had identified the site of the slave quarters associated with it. We did not have any funding for archeo logical research. What we are looking at is what we call structure b or the six of the structure laid out in a row. The way it manifests itself is a foundation of the stone chimney. It is i am lamsimilar of what yn the secondary house there. It is a cshaped that formed the foundation for the chimney. You can see two smaller stone pee pe pierce which would have form the corner of the building. So actually some intermediate pier as well. So they probably were one story or a story and a half buildings, they measured about 20 by 34 feet in dimensions of external chimney in the south elevation. Very simple and expediant structure that was constru
Of the union army, and he blocked general lees line of retreat, thus general lee had to continue further west, searching for rations and hoping to get around grants army. The next place general lee could gather supplies was about three miles from us here at appomattox station. Supplies had been brought over from lynchburg to feed general lees army. Its everything the army really needed. Hundreds of thousands of rations, new uniforms, equipment, and thats where theyre heading for on april 8 after leaving Cumberland Church on the night of april 7. General lees advance is led by confederate reserve artillery under general Reuben Lindsey walker. They go to camp about a mile from appomattox station about two miles from here on the afternoon of april 8th. And general custers cavalry advances on that station and captures the supplies, then encounters general Reuben Lindsey walkerss general artillery and fight for about four hours the ballofp at mattox station. A very unique battle in the civi
For preservation was initiated in the 1880s and 1890s when the veterans were at the height of their power in government and Industry Leaders and all of them. It was because battlefields ironically these places of conflict could become places of comfort. So americans always put tremendous emphasis on these places as a tool of reconciliation. The key part of the battlefield that came from the sons of confederate veterans stipulated the government would care for this battlefield and not detract from the glory. The dedication speech i helped managed. 1927, said the keynote speaker said we do more than dedicate these fields in memory of things that have passed. We consecrate them in the spirit of lee and lincoln to a more perfect understanding to south and north. For the next 50 years or so would faithfully carry out that charge. Where americans can come together and understand the war in a very human level. Just to give you a sense of how deep this tradition is and how its perceived by the
Exists than the rest of the world combined than all. Society thinks of itself as being nonmilitaristic and i think in our essence we are. Preserves battlefield land to such a degree. Now our traditional view of the civil war was born on the postwar period. The reunification of our nation. Think about the fact in United States capital today are seven statutes to man supporting the rebellion against the federal government during the American Civil War. They dont do that in syria, libya. They do it here. Thats remarkable. Now there are lots of ways and the reconciliation scholars have shone is buried and incomplete in some areas and in some ways. How did that come to pass . Part of the answer is when you want to make up with somebody you find Common Ground. Place where you can both be comfortable. To some degree we did it on a national level. In the aftermath of the civil war few things everybody could agree with or most people and that was that the american soldier be he dressed in gray
Americas meandering Journey Towards freedom justice and equality. Its the foundation from which our nation emerged on to the world stage as a world power. Its the greatest demonstration of both the failure and durability of democracy. It is perhaps the vivid reflection of our virtues, successes and failures all wrapped up into one. These are all things that have shaped the lives of every american and millions and millions of people beyond our nations boundaries have lasted 150 years. In our relentless quest for simplicity an our selective memory that exists on history that flatters or inspires us Many Americans and maybe america at large today fail to see the immense legacy of the civil war in our lives and in our culture. Too many people are interested if the civil war. Problem is not enough are interested in the civil war. Every american should be able to find a gateway into this story for engaging the civil war as part of not only the National Experience but the frame work of their