Known also as the 29th Infantry Division Highway and the Seminole Trail Highway, it is a four lane tour through some of the most beautiful agriculture country you would ever want to see. I can’t tell you how many times Barb said “ok, we’re moving here.” It’s not limited access and does pass through a few towns, but there was practically no traffic.
About 40 miles out we came across Culpeper, Virginia, a town in which Barb assured me there would be no Starbucks. The GPS said different and the GPS won. With a Mocha and coffee in hand, we were back on the road. Somewhere along the way Highway 29 seems to have added the additional name of the Thomas Nelson Highway. South of Charlottesville, Virginia, we passed through the storied land that was home to John Boy and the Walton Clan. Anyone remember going to Rockfish for the picture show?
We made one more stop at a visitor center and when the nice lady found out we were headed to Lynchburg, we were told we had to have lunch at The Farm Basket. So we did and it was very good. Next up was a 24 mile drive east to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.
It was at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, that General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant, thereby effectively ending the Civil War. After abandoning Richmond and Petersburg on April 2nd, Lee’s army marched south in hopes of joining forces with General Joseph E. Johnston’s army and then moving against General William T. Sherman. But it wasn’t to be. Grant dogged him the entire way, with more than 20 engagements before the destruction of Lee’s supply trains at The Battle of Appomattox Station. Lee began his march south with over 60,000 men. Barely 30,000 arrived at Appomattox. They were tired. They were hungry. They were beaten. Lee had no choice and in short order other armies of the South also surrendered.
Although many of the buildings have been rebuilt, two important structures remain as they were in 1864. Grant and Lee sat down in a parlor of The McLean House to sign the surrender documents. Wilmer McLean moved to Appomattox seeking to avoid war after the First Battle of Bull Run took place on his farm. It is said the Civil War began in his back yard and ended in his parlor. Built in 1819, the Clover Hill Tavern served as a stopover for travelers on the Richmond-Lynchburg Road. In one night printing presses brought to the tavern produced all the parole passes needed for Lee’s army.
On the recommendation of the desk clerk, we hiked down towards the James River and the Depot Grill. In a renovated train depot we shared an excellent dinner of Calamari, Caesar Salad and Shrimp & Scallop Scampi. Tomorrow we are off to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and then The Great Smokey Mountains. 223 miles today.
One of many
Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia
No comments:
Post a Comment