Be an Eye-Witness to the END of the Civil War
Take a trip back in time at the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Battles of Fort Stedman and Appomattox in West Burlington, Iowa.
*photo credits: dailygate.com
It’s been a long standing tradition in the city of West Burlington as well as for myself and my family to attend these events where residents go to pay remembrance to the lives lost, and the great victories of the Civil War.
Join us in the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Battles of Fort Stedman and Appomattox April 24-26. Complete with realistic battle reenactments, performances in the Grand Theatre, and live music, this is one weekend a history fan of any age won’t want to miss.
Why are the Battles of Fort Stedman and Appomattox Important?
Battle of Fort Stedman
Fort Stedman is known as one of the last confederate offenses of the Civil War. As a last-ditch effort to win the war, General Robert E. Lee banded together nearly half of his army in an attempt to break through General Grant’s Petersburg defenses, hoping to get into his supply depot at City Point.
The battle ended up being a devastating loss for General Robert E. Lee’s army, and set the confederate army up to be defeated at Five Forks on April 1 and Petersburg on
April 2-3.
Battle at Appomattox
Following a series of lost battles, the confederate army was weak and exhausted. After many days of writing to each other, it was on April 9, 1865 that General Lee and General Grant exchanged notes and finally agreed to meet in the village of Appomattox Courthouse.
It was here that General Lee surrendered the Civil War to General Grant. Their final meeting lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours and pulled the curtain on the bloodiest war in American history to a close.
Remember the Civil War that Shaped America
Through out the entire weekend, visitors are welcome to tour military camps, visit Sutlor’s Row, enjoy delicious food and perhaps take a stroll with President and Mrs. Lincoln!
The activities begin on Friday, April 24 at 7:30 pm with a performance of “Destiny at Appomattox” and “An Evening with the Lincolns” at the Grand Theatre.
Saturday guests can spend all day taking a trip back in time with the Ladies Tea and Style Show, a Skillet Throwing Contest, the Battle of Fort Stedman reenactment, ending the day with the military ball.
Sunday begins with a 9:30 am Memorial and Worship Service at the West Burlington National Cemetery followed by the main stage event, the Battle of Appomattox.
For more information and for a complete schedule of the weekend events visit http://www.keokukiowatourism.org/civilwar.htm .
