Hello Sword Scholars!
You will get this info twice, once as a direct email, and once as a subscription to the blog. So please consider it a blessing as a double reminder. :-)
In class this week, General Schmieder walked us through the Surrender at Appomattox. We simulated the actual surrender, and played parts throughout. You all did a wonderful job at remembering, "There are no small parts, just small actors." You were fabulous! I especially enjoyed the Southern accent Matthew used for General Lee. I felt like I was actually there! And Hannah did a VERY convincing job as General Grant - especially with her stage directions. Way to go everyone! You were all superb!
It was very interesting to note, that Wilmer McLean would play a central role in the history of this great war. He has been quoted, "The war began in my front yard, and ended in my parlor." Let's see just how this could be.
In fact, the first major land battle of the war was the first battle of Bull Run, or the battle of First Manassas, and did indeed begin on Wilmer's property. The first strike of the Union on the property was a cannonball through a fireplace and into Wilmer's kitchen! This greatly disturbed dinner, I am sure you can well imagine.
Wilmer's home and property became quite damanged due to both of the Bull Run battles, and he began to fear for his family's safety. Approximately one year after the first battle, Wilmer decided to move his family 120 miles south to Appomattox, Virginia, into a nice two-story cottage.
But the war would continue to follow him.
On April 9, 1865, Palm Sunday, the Union and Confederate soldiers battled at Appomattox courthouse. General Lee was outnumbered, with only 1 Confederate soldier to every 4 Union soldiers. He knew what he must do.
General Lee and General Grant met in McLean's parlor to finalize the terms of surrender. This time, there were no cannon balls or gunfire in Wilmer's house to damage his property, but Union soldiers did begin to pilfer and steal some of his belongings (victor's rights??).
After Wilmer Mclean sacrificed for his beloved confederacy, and prospered somewhat during the war through his mercantile business, he did eventually come to financial ruin. WHY? Because, he was generally paid for in Confederate notes, which of course, became worthless at the Confederacy's collapse.
In 1930, Congress purchased McLean's Appomattox house which had lain in ruins. They rebuilt it, and in 1949, it became a tourist site.
Maybe you'll visit it next summer.... :-)
In class, we studied Lincoln's Second Inaugural address. We saw, once again, how conciliatory and magnanimous Lincoln remained throughout the war. He truly was a merciful, gentle, regal and great man in the history of our nation.
This week, there is no paper to write, but....
ASSIGNMENTS
Read to Kill a Mockingbird - we will discuss after Christmas break.
And...you know, just finish everything already assigned! Your deadline is only 18 days away!
Remember...Christmas Eve, at midnight. Work on memorization, old papers not yet turned in, your HERO REPORTS...etc.
If you are unsure, just email me, and I will tell you again what you are missing.
Okay....carry on Scholars. You are WONDERFUL, and learning so much, not only about history through this class, but about character, about valor, about yourselves.
See you next week!
