We sincerely offer our apologies for this most egregious delay in the posting of Kentucky History Fridays; April and May are truly occupied months for us, given our involvement with the Kentucky Historical Society and other organizations. Today, we hope to satisfy our readers with photos of the sesquicentennial of the Fall of Richmond. Once more, we are to soon resume our Perpetual Disunion series in weeks to follow. Thank you for your patience. This photograph was taken between the slave quarters and tavern of Appomattox Court House; the surrender of Appomattox would occur circa one week post-Fall of Richmond, on the 9th of April, 1865. The tavern is the oldest structure in Appomattox Court House village. This is the upper bedroom of the McLean home; it was in the parlor of this house that Robert E. Lee yielded his Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant. The Burning of Richmond; the building onto which the flames are projected stands opposite of the Capitol grounds, and - though today a United States Court of Appeals - was, in 1865, the Customs Office and housed the office of Jefferson Davis. The Virginia Capitol's architect was Thomas Jefferson; Jefferson Davis would not recognize this building however, as the subsequent photo is the Capitol in 1865. The historic Bell Tower on the Capitol grounds amidst the Burning of Richmond. Myself before the McLean home. Myself before the Capitol, a day prior to the Fall of Richmond. The Old City Hall of Richmond was seat of government for the local Richmond council. This photograph was taken at Pamplin Historical Park near Petersburg, outside of Richmond; the Park is privately owned, featuring an immensely impressive and interactive National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Antebellum plantation, and the field whereupon Union forces successfully breached the lines of Robert E. Lee (in the photo.) The Fall of Richmond was an inexplicably significant development of the American Civil War; the great fires engulfing the city were set not by vengeful Unionist armies, but rather by fleeing Confederates. These individuals were instructed to set fire to tobacco stockpiles, as well as destroy any alcohol in the city, in order to prevent the capture thereof by the invading Union forces. Unfortunately, the result was a great fire - swiftly spread throughout the city by a wind from the South - amid looting, and drunken revelry as citizens drank whiskey from the gutters.
There is much to be said for the event, and we shall discuss it in greater depth in our Perpetual Disunion series. Join us next week! - Austin R. Justice, History of Kentucky Group.
1 Comment
Mom Lois
6/21/2015 08:35:06 am
I enjoy reading your articles and think your personal photos help to bring the writing to life.
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Hi, I'm the website Admin. I look after the website as well as the chapter social media accounts. Austin R. Justice
PMC of River Cities Chapter and Lincoln Forum & Colloquium Student Scholar. Adjunct ContributorsSpencer M. Dayton Archives
April 2016
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