Appomattox in Appomattox County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Flag of Truce

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

1. Flag of Truce Marker

Inscription. The first Confederate flag of truce, a white towel carried by Captain Sims of Longstreet's staff, was received near this site by Union cavalry under General George Custer on April 9, 1865.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1865.

Location. 37° 22.472′ N, 78° 47.458′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It can be reached from River Ridge Road south of Old Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 24), on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the Southside Connector Hiking Trail, part of the trail network of Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself

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in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Now I see the white flag earnestly borne…" (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Surrender Ceremony (approx. ¼ mile away); The Robinson Family (approx. ¼ mile away); The Kelley Family (approx. ¼ mile away); Final Combat (approx. ¼ mile away); Last Artillery Shots (approx. ¼ mile away); Lee and Grant Meet (approx. 0.3 miles away); “Salute of Arms” (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Flag of Truce Marker & Southside Connector Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

2. Flag of Truce Marker & Southside Connector Trail

Flag of Truce Towel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 19, 2025

3. Flag of Truce Towel

In the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. As of 2025 it was on display as a part of the exhibit “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden” with artifacts related to Ulysses S. Grant.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.