Appomattox in Appomattox County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lee’s Last Headquarters
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007
1. Lee’s Last Headquarters Marker
Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon described Lee’s last council, the night of April 8:
“There was no tent there, no chairs, and no camp stools. On blankets spread upon the ground or on saddles…we sat around the great commander…No tongue or pen will ever be able to describe the unutterable anguish of Lee’s commanders as they looked into the clouded face of their beloved leader and sought to draw from it some hope.”
Lee and his commanders decided to make one last effort to break past the approaching Union columns. That effort would come the next morning, April 9, on the fields and ridges west of the village. With its failure would pass the last hope to save Lee’s army.
Erected by Appomattox Court House National Historic Park. National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1781.
Location. 37° 23.496′ N, 78° 47.004′ W. Marker is in Appomattox
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederates Trapped (here, next to this marker); Historic Vegetation (within shouting distance of this marker); ANV Headquarters (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lee's Apple Tree (approx. 0.6 miles away); Artillery Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Surrender of the Artillery (approx. 0.7 miles away); After the Surrender (approx. 0.7 miles away); African American Banjoists (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.
More about this marker. The upper left of the marker shows a standing Gen. Lee addressing three of his generals. It is described as “A conjectural view of Lee’s last council of war.”
The upper right of the marker contains a sketch that “shows the view from this spot toward the village of Appomattox Court House, atop the ridge in the distance. Also present is a copy of “Lee’s farewell orders to his troops – General Orders No. 9. Oft-quoted, the text of the order had become a Southern classic. It was written by Lee’s
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 16, 2017
2. Lee’s Last Headquarters Marker
Also see . . . Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. (Submitted on March 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Markers at Lee's Headquarters
Photographed By Craig Swain
4. Appomattox Trail Map
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007
5. Site of Lee's Last Headquarters
Marker is at the eastern entrance to Appomattox Court House National Historic Park.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007
6. Actual site of Lee's last HQ
On this spot were established the headquarters of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee, C.S.A., commanding, from April 8th to April 11th, 1865.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 16, 2017
7. Updated National Park Service Sign At Lee’s Headquarters Wayside
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007
8. Detail from marker
Sketch of Appomattox Court House and Lee's Farewell to his Troops.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,645 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on March 23, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on March 23, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 8. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
