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One may wonder why I am bring up Gen. Lee's uniform when he surrender the AoNV to Gen. Grant in April of 1865.
My following observation will lead us to the age old question of when did Gen. Lee believe the southern cause was doomed to fail. Some historians like the use the date of Sept. 30, 1864, when Ft. Harrision fell and Gen. Lee was unable to recapature the Ft.
I believe if that latter question can be answered with a better date of when Gen. Lee believed the southern cause was doomed to fail by answering the following questions listed below.
Questions:
If Gen. Lee was wearing a new uniform to his meeting with Gen Grant, when did he order the unifrom?
If he did order a new uniform, it would have been during the siege of Petersberg. Why would Gen. Lee order a new uniform while his army was straving and desolving around him.
Because Gen. Lee knew in the spring the AoP would start new campaign and he would be force to surrender the AoNV for it had lost ability to fight. Anyone familiar with Gen Lee's life knows he plans everything before it happens. Does anyone one not believe he would not plan his own surrender if it was inevitable?
I believe if one can find out when Gen. Lee order his new unifrom he wore to his meeting with Gen. Grant and surrender the AoNV. The date he order that uniform would be the day he truly believe the war and the southern cause was doomed.
Remember, when Gen Lee decided the southern cause was doom to failed. He lost his romantic dream to emulate his personal hero George Washington in being the Confederacy Cincinnatus.
I would like to know if anyone out there knows the full story behind the unifrom Gen. Lee wore in his meeting with Gen. Grant and surrender of his army
Remember, Gen. Lee discussed surrender with the new secretary of war Berckinridge{hero of New Market) numerious times. I believe the plan the meet and join up with Gen. Johnston was just a last ditch hope of Gen. Lee doing his duty.
Remember, Gen. Lee was all about doing one's duty.
Remember, if someone out there knows the history or story behind Gen. Lee's new uniform it would answer the question.
Do we know that it was a new uniform and that he had just gotten it? Maybe it was new in the sense that he hadn't worn it much or at all.
First we start with its newness. We can speculate from there.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
It was a new uniform and General Lee could have worn it on a few formal occasions only. According to this site it was a new uniform.
"He wore a new uniform of Confederate gray, buttoned up to the throat, and at his side he carried a long sword of exceedingly fine workmanship, the hilt studded with jewels. His top-boots were comparatively new, and seemed to have on them some ornamental stitching of red silk. Like his uniform, they were singularly clean, and but little travel-stained. On the boots were handsome spurs, with large rowels. A felt hat, which in color matched pretty closely that of his uniform, and a pair of long buckskin gauntlets lay beside him on the table."
How long did Lee think he could continue the fight is a good question, but I don't think the new looking uniform is much of a clue. Several CS officers were in their best uniforms because in the fluid situation they realized losing their baggage and/or capture was a likely scenario, so they picked their best clothes to wear.
He sounds quite elegant, but we still don't know when the uniform was tailored. I've got T-shirts in wrappers that I bought 5 years ago. Are they new? Or are they unused?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
One may wonder why I am bring up Gen. Lee's uniform when he surrender the AoNV to Gen. Grant in April of 1865.
My following observation will lead us to the age old question of when did Gen. Lee believe the southern cause was doomed to fail. Some historians like the use the date of Sept. 30, 1864, when Ft. Harrision fell and Gen. Lee was unable to recapature the Ft.
I believe if that latter question can be answered with a better date of when Gen. Lee believed the southern cause was doomed to fail by answering the following questions listed below.
Questions:
If Gen. Lee was wearing a new uniform to his meeting with Gen Grant, when did he order the unifrom?
If he did order a new uniform, it would have been during the siege of Petersberg. Why would Gen. Lee order a new uniform while his army was straving and desolving around him.
Because Gen. Lee knew in the spring the AoP would start new campaign and he would be force to surrender the AoNV for it had lost ability to fight. Anyone familiar with Gen Lee's life knows he plans everything before it happens. Does anyone one not believe he would not plan his own surrender if it was inevitable?
I believe if one can find out when Gen. Lee order his new unifrom he wore to his meeting with Gen. Grant and surrender the AoNV. The date he order that uniform would be the day he truly believe the war and the southern cause was doomed.
Remember, when Gen Lee decided the southern cause was doom to failed. He lost his romantic dream to emulate his personal hero George Washington in being the Confederacy Cincinnatus.
I would like to know if anyone out there knows the full story behind the unifrom Gen. Lee wore in his meeting with Gen. Grant and surrender of his army
I would appreciate. Thanks!!
Id like to know all that as well. My guess, why he had a new uni? Cos he was Gen Lee. Cos he could. He could get whatever he wanted.
I know that someone must know the history behind the uniform Gen. Lee wore in April 1865 at Appomattox. If one think's about it, it is one of the most famous uniforms recorded in history. Every eyewittness at the event that day in April 1865 mentions Gen. Lee's uniform.
I can remember watching a show 20plus years ago about the surrender at Appomattox and in that show mention the unifrom being purchased in Richmond; but it was said in passing and no details given.
I beleive if the uniform can be shown to have been purchase in the weeks before proir to the fall of Petersburg. Then one can speculate that Gen. Lee was planning the ineitable surrender of his army.
Someone out there must know something about this renown uniform like when it was tailor, purchased, or was it in storage.
I am looking for an answer and any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Robert E. Lee's-- Uniform/Surrender 
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