The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The United States are…? The United States is…? Are we one or many? The answer to this question was determined 150 years ago, with the surrender of the Confederate Army. To say the American Civil War was a pivotal point in our nation's history is an understatement. There were over 750,000 soldiers who died in the War Between the States which in today's percentage of the population would equate to over seven million dead.

Near the end of the war, Confederate President Jefferson Davis fled Richmond trying to make his way to Texas. The Army of Northern Virginia under the command of General Robert E. Lee would surrender on April 9, 1865 to Union General-in-Chief, Ulysses S Grant. The Confederate Armies of the Tennessee and Trans-Mississippi were holding on and Texans would still see action at the Battle of Palmito Ranch on May 13, 1865 near today's Brownsville. This battle, won by the Confederates, holds the distinction not only as the last battle of the war, but the only battle involving international troops.

In remembrance of the sacrifice of our nation's brightest and best in the mid- 19th century and to a generation lost, the Texas Civil War Museum is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of the war with several special events and exhibits.

Saturday, March 21, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

Lecture: Davis, April 1865, Flight from Richmond to Irwinville

Presented by Bertram Hayes-Davis, great, great grandson of Jefferson Davis and President of Beauvoir Foundation No advanced tickets as lecture is free with paid museum admission, seats will be on a first come first served basis.

March 31 thru May 2, Special Temporary Exhibit

One of only thirteen original copies of Robert E Lee's General Order #9, Farewell to the Confederate Troops issued the day after the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Accompanying this document are two letters written by General Lee. This exhibit is courtesy of the Texas Division United Daughters of the Confederacy Texas Confederate Museum Collection.

March 31, New Permanent Exhibits

Robert E. Lee's wartime pocketknife: This knife was given by Robert E. Lee after the war to help raise funds at an auction for an orphanage in Maryland. A letter written by Lee about the knife will accompany the exhibit along with a lock of Lee's hair.

General Grant's cigar: His Adjutant, George Clark, kept this partially smoked cigar as a memento from the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor, VA.

These items will join the current museum exhibits which include Robert E. Lee's spur, General Grant's coat worn at the surrender, Grant's presentation sword, Jefferson Davis's eyeglasses, medicine chest and lock of hair, along with an excavated revolver and buckle from Palmito Ranch and a diorama depicting the battle.

April 9 and 11, 2:00 pm Movie

Sixty-minute documentary, Appomattox, will be shown in the museum's theater. No advanced tickets; presentation is free with paid museum admission.

The museum's operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission prices: $6 for adults, $3 for ages 7-12, children 6 years and under -free. Group discounts are available.

The museum is located at 760 Jim Wright Freeway North (West Loop 820 N.) in Fort Worth. Information about the museum can be obtained by calling 817-246-2323. More information is available at the museum's Web site: http://www.texascivilwarmuseum.com.

Photo (top right) - General Grant's cigar: His Adjutant, George Clark, kept this partially smoked cigar as a memento from the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor, VA.