In researching some of my ancestors’ service in the Union Army, my great, great, great-grandfather in particular, I discovered an unrelated story about three artifacts that were “purchased” from their owner, having considerable significance in American history.
On display at the Smithsonian, General Lee’s chair is shown on the left of the table and chair that was used by General Grant (source: Smithsonian Institute).
As the Civil War was in its final hours, General Lee sent his aide, Lt. Col. Charles Marshall to secure an appropriate location in which to formalize the surrender and capitulation of the Confederate Army and to bring about the end of more than four years of horrific civil war. The site that was selected was the farmhouse which belonged to Wilmer McLean, who had relocated to Appomattox Court House, Virginia to get away from the war that had begun quite literally in his backyard at Bull Run four years prior.
Generals Lee and Grant greet and shake hands as they begin the task of finalizing the terms of surrender.
As General Lee and his aide, Marshall waited in the parlor of the McLean house, the victorious yet humble General Ulysses Grant arrived with his entourage of subordinates which included Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan and his aide, Captain Michael Sheridan. After the exchange of honors and pleasantries, the formalities commenced over the course of three and a half hours, culminating in the exchange of written agreements to the terms of surrender. As the two commanding generals left the house and were departing upon their mounts, the collector activities commenced back inside the parlor.
This 19th century artist’s rendition of the surrender scene shows the furniture and the orientation of the Generals’ tables and chairs.
Understanding the significance of the monumentally historical moment that had just taken place, the burgeoning militaria collectors such as General Edward Ord, the Sheridan brothers (the general and captain), (brevet) Brigadier General Henry Capehart and others began removing the tables and the implements set upon them: candlesticks, ink wells, etcetera, unceremoniously providing reimbursements to Wilmer McLean (who had no desire to sell off his furnishings). The cane-bottom chairs were broken apart into bits and pieces with the end results being divvied up among the crowds of relic hunters, leaving McLean’s parlor an empty space.
The McLean House parlor with reproduction furnishings depicting the furniture arrangement at the time of the surrender (source: Something Original).
Collecting war prizes from the vanquished is a long-standing practice that continues to this day and perhaps without the efforts of these eager “collectors,” the artifacts could have been lost to time. Instead, after changing hands numerous times, the table and chair used by General Grant and the chair used by General Lee made their way to the Smithsonian where collectors, historians and history buffs alike can share in what many refer to as the rebirth of the United States of America.
Note: see The Spoils of War – To Whom Do They Belong?, Third Reich Prizes in the Attic? and Court Ruling on Seized Mercedes for more on this subject.
