The Parade
The Parade
Surrounded by Union forces, the remnants of the infantry divisions in the Army of Northern Virginia camp for three nights near Appomattox Court House, awaiting the formal surrender of their arms on April 12. The cavalry and the artillery turn in their weapons on April 10 and 11. Picket lines kept the two armies apart, but some visiting took place across the lines, especially among officers. Grant's offer of captured rations to the destitute Confederates helped exaggerate reports of the comradely sharing of food by Union soldiers that was later incorporated into an accelerated reunion myth, and another mutually acceptable legend was born when Joshua Chamberlain later claimed that he had saluted the Confederate infantry when John B. Gordon led it into the village for the surrender ceremony. Gordon had actually resisted that formal parade as vigorously as he could.
Keywords: Joshua Chamberlain, John B. Gordon, reunion myths, ration-sharing at Appomattox
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