Chamberlain-Gordon Salute

Site of the Chamberlain-Gordon Salute

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

The formal surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia spanned three days. On April 10, the Confederate cavalry that remained with the army surrendered their weapons along the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road northeast of the village. The following day, Federal troops took possession of the Confederate artillery east of the Appomattox River. April 12 witnessed the stacking of arms of the Confederate infantry along the Stage Road. Given temporary command of the First Division of the Fifth Corps, Brigadier General Joshua Chamberlain presided over the ceremony from this position. The 5,000 men under Chamberlain’s command stretched through the village along both sides of the Stage Road as nearly 22,000 Confederate infantry marched up the road one division at a time and stacked their arms. Chamberlain recalled, “we received them with the honors due to troops, at the shoulder and in silence.” John Gordon led the first Confederate troops into the village, and Chamberlain recorded that the soldiers on both sides demonstrated mutual respect during the ceremony.