KCBOOMER
04-15-2003, 10:43 AM
They ran this last night on the History Channel and it was fabulous. The show focuses on the events in April 1865 that bring the Civil War to a close and particularly focuses on the actions of Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, Lee, and Longstreet. Obviously the story mentions numerous other historical figures as well.
As a Civil War aficionado I always am amazed at the compassion and respect Lincoln, Grant and Sherman had for their Souther brethren. The surrender terms they offered the surrendering rebels are probably the most generous in history. It should be noted that no leading figure of the Confederacy was executed for his activities, though in Jeff Davis's case it was a near run thing. Grant personally intervened when the hawks wanted to try Lee.
The wisdom of Lee and Johnston to stand four square against the Civil War becoming a guerrilla war as some wanted to do. Lee in particular wanted the South to accept it had lost and to come together with their Northern brethren.
I simply cannot listen, read, or watch a re-enactment, of the surrender of Lee's Army with a dry eye. The respect that Gen. Chamberlain, who was designated as the officer to accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, showed to the ANV by having his men come to "shoulder arms" is unbelievably compelling.
As compelling in a much smaller venue, was shortly after the war in a church in either Richmond or Arlington an elderly black man went to the communion rail in a white church. The pastor and congregation was stunned and couldn't move until until a grey haired, somewhat elderly white man, walked up to the railing to receive communion beside the black man. Communion then proceeded. The white gentleman, was, of course, Robert E. Lee.
The show does not attempt to re-fight the Civil War. It simply focuses on the events of April 1865. Highly recommended.
As a Civil War aficionado I always am amazed at the compassion and respect Lincoln, Grant and Sherman had for their Souther brethren. The surrender terms they offered the surrendering rebels are probably the most generous in history. It should be noted that no leading figure of the Confederacy was executed for his activities, though in Jeff Davis's case it was a near run thing. Grant personally intervened when the hawks wanted to try Lee.
The wisdom of Lee and Johnston to stand four square against the Civil War becoming a guerrilla war as some wanted to do. Lee in particular wanted the South to accept it had lost and to come together with their Northern brethren.
I simply cannot listen, read, or watch a re-enactment, of the surrender of Lee's Army with a dry eye. The respect that Gen. Chamberlain, who was designated as the officer to accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, showed to the ANV by having his men come to "shoulder arms" is unbelievably compelling.
As compelling in a much smaller venue, was shortly after the war in a church in either Richmond or Arlington an elderly black man went to the communion rail in a white church. The pastor and congregation was stunned and couldn't move until until a grey haired, somewhat elderly white man, walked up to the railing to receive communion beside the black man. Communion then proceeded. The white gentleman, was, of course, Robert E. Lee.
The show does not attempt to re-fight the Civil War. It simply focuses on the events of April 1865. Highly recommended.