News Release

To the Step: Appomattox 1861- Living History Program- June 8-9, 2024

Date: May 20, 2024
Contact: Brian Miller, 434-352-8987 ext 227

Appomattox, Va— Join Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and the Liberty Rifles for living history programming on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. The event will interpret the forming of the Appomattox Liberty Guard, an infantry unit, mustered into Confederate service in June 1861. Nearly 100 living historians will portray the role of citizens and soldiers. All programs are free and open to the public. The program schedule is as follows: 

Saturday, June 8, 2024

10:00 AM- Citizen’s Flag Presentation
Federal and Confederate units often came to the front with their own flags and colors. Women of the unit’s hometown made and presented flags to the company. Witness a recreation of the citizens of Appomattox Court House presenting a flag to the Appomattox Liberty Guard.

11:00 AM- Equine in the Civil War
Examine the importance of horsepower. Millions of horses and mules served during the Civil War providing mobility and support to move soldiers, messages, supplies, and artillery.

1:00 PM- 3:00 PM- To the Step: Company Drill
Explore the challenge of going from civilian to soldier and watch the newly formed company learn the first steps of marching and moving in formation.

3:30 PM- 1861 vs 1865: Examining the Appearance of a Confederate Soldier
Compare and contrast the uniforms of the 1861 Appomattox Liberty Guard with those wearily returning home in 1865.  

4:30 PM- One Last Meal Before They Go
On the eve of departure, local citizens provide one last hardy meal for the troops before they are sent off to war.  

Sunday, June 9, 2024

10:15 AM- “Away, Away, Away”- Off to War
Local citizens send the Appomattox Liberty Guard off on their march out of town.

About the Liberty Rifles: Founded in 1999, the Liberty Rifles (LR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization of volunteer living historians who strive to accurately portray the common fighting men and home front civilians of the American Civil War, while excelling in terms of authenticity and organization.  

—NPS— 
About Appomattox Court House National Historical Park: On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the end of the nation's largest war. The stories of Appomattox Court House go far beyond the final significant battles of this nation's Civil War. Learn more at www.nps.gov/apco. 

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's more than 420 national park units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.