Robert E. Lee's-- Uniform/Surrender

[J_Man0507]

Fish,

If you truly, truly do want to find out about the uniform, your best bet is to go and see it for yourself. If I am not mistaken, the uniform is in the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Va. I personally have not gotten to that particular museum yet, but I would hazard a guess that there is somebody ther who knows something about it and its history.

J_Man

[5fish]

Originally Posted by J_Man0507

Fish,

If you truly, truly do want to find out about the uniform, your best bet is to go and see it for yourself. If I am not mistaken, the uniform is in the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Va. I personally have not gotten to that particular museum yet, but I would hazard a guess that there is somebody ther who knows something about it and its history.

J_Man

I know the coat he wore is there and the sword but the uniform he wore under the coat is not there.

[Lilred]

Hi ya'll,

I'd like to make a note on the word describing Lee's uniform as new. To a southerner (and some notherners at the time), the meanin of the word new, ain't exactly new. For example, I could tell you that I bought a new car yesterday. What I didn't mention that it is a 2000 model.
I personally disregard that particular word as an accurate description of Lee's uniform.
The chances that his uniform as brand-new (as we southerners say, meaning the correct version of new)
are extremely slim.
There was nothing left in this part of the state, new uniforms were the last thing anyone here was worried about.
Another note, even through the retreat, Lee's wagons of "worldly goods" were ever present and accounted for so it is more than likely the uniform was carried for a long time.

Lastly, to the original question of when Lee knew it was time to surrender...a nice quote from Lee to a messenger by the name of Young Wise after the battle of Sayler's Creek near Farmville:
" No, I'll have to wait for developments. A few more Sayler's Creek's and it will be all over--ended--just as I have expected it to be from the first."

At Sayler's Creek, 7 generals (including Lee's son) were captured. Lee did not know this until he reached Farmville. With the last hope of rations gone, and Longstreet nodding in approval of the surrender, it was then that he knew.

Another note on Grant's dress at the surrender:
It was noted that Grant told Lee that he had not seen his baggage for several days and could not dress to the occasion.

[ole]

Lilred:

As an example of "cutting to the chase," your post can't be beat. "New" can mean a whole bunch more than never used before, by anyone, at any time. As in: I'm reading this "new" book -- nevermind that I've had it on the shelf for some years, and it was published in 2001. It is still new.

Thanks. Have I welcomed you to this board?

ole

[5fish]

The word "new" is the key to the hold question I first propose long ago and I still have not found an adequate answer to it. I am still looking!