(Associated Press) The surrender of Confederate Robert E. Lee to Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant 150 years ago Thursday was the definitive milestone of the end of the Civil War. This is a rolling account of Thursday's commemoration of the anniversary, including a reenactment of Lee's last clash with Grant's troops and the Confederate surrender in a Virginia farmhouse. Interspersed are historical accounts of events 150 years ago:
2015:
Ahead of the battle reenactment, the boys of the Confederate 11th Virginia were a seemingly pretty cool bunch as those portraying Union troops gathered several fields away at Appomattox Court House amid these rolling farm fields of neat brick buildings and white picket fences.
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But a stoic Chris Ferree couldn't contain his excitement when asked about his role in the 150th commemoration of Lee's surrender here, effectively ending the Civil War 150 years ago on Thursday.
"This is an awesome place to be," Ferree, of Roanoke, said. "We're all excited to be here."
