Surrender at Appomattox – by S. McBride and C. Kelly

The siege of Petersburg was in its ninth month, and the outlook for saving the Confederate capital at Richmond was becoming increasingly grim. General Robert E. Lee, with most of his supply routes cut off, had witnessed a steady decline in the morale of his Army of Northern Virginia as the siege wore on.  Men who had risked death, injury and capture on the battlefield for several years, and who still faced constant hunger, lack of shoes and clothing, were deserting in increasing numbers.  Lee knew he had to make a move. (On Page 2)

By Sandy McBride half is in the April 2nd Express - the rest to run next week.

The 125th NY Regiment was part of the Army which pursued General Lee and his dwindling army westward. On April 8th they were about two miles from the little village of Appomattox Courthouse. The illustrations show the McClean house, site of the meeting of Grant and Lee, in 1865 and as I saw it a couple of years ago. (On page 14)

By Chris Kelley - Schaghtocoke Town Historian