Become a Member!
Support the Museum by becoming a member today!
Every second Wednesday of the month, the Museum of the Confederacy and the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park are partnering to bring the Civil War Sesquicentennial to Appomattox. Each month, a knowledgable speaker will lead a discussion on a topic or event's 150th anniversary. The talks will take place upstairs at Baine's Books and Coffee.
In September 1862, Gen. George McClellan’s Union Army was in leisurely pursuit of General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia as it began advancing into Maryland. Lee made the risky decision to divide his forces and send General Stonewall Jackson south to capture the Union garrison at Harper’s Ferry. The supplies of rifles and ammunition were important to Lee to supply his army. With the use of a fierce artillery barrage and flanking maneuvers, Jackson made short work of the task. Jackson had won a great victory at minor expense. The Confederate Army sustained 286 casualties (39 killed, 247 wounded), mostly from the fighting on Maryland Heights, while the Union Army sustained 217 (44 killed, 173 wounded). The Union garrison also surrendered 12,419 men, 13,000 small arms, 200 wagons, and 73 artillery pieces. It was the largest surrender of Federal forces during the Civil War. September’s speaker is Patsy Figgins, a retired RN with American Red Cross, researcher, and amateur historian.
Admission is free. Lunch will be available for purchase at Baine's Books and Coffee (Outside lunches are not permitted).