HdQrs Army of No Va
10th April 1865
General Order No. 9
After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.
I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them, But feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.
By the terms of the agreement, Officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection.
With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.
R E Lee
Genl
Today, April 9, 1865, is the date that General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to U.S. General Grant, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The trench warfare around Richmond and Petersburg had bled and exhausted both Lee’s men and supplies, and caused him to seek fresh supplies and the unification of his forces with those of General Joseph Johnston who was then in north central North Carolina. Fast moving Union troops cut off Lee’s hoped for supply line, and a decision was forced upon him. He could release his troops to scatter into the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountain ridges, fighting a guerilla battle against the invaders. Or he could, in essence, end the War by surrender.
Lee was urged from all corners to slip into the mountains, and not surrender. The fate of the Confederacy lay heavy on his shoulders. For 4 years his troops had fought valiantly, against great odds, and had come within a whisker of complete victory in the war on more than 1 occasion. His troops behaved with honor, and with pride, in love of their country. The war had not been in vain, yet it appeared to be on the verge of an inglorious end. Reviewing his battered and undernourished troops, Robert E. Lee reached the most difficult decision of his life. He would surrender the Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. The War would end.
Lee, dressed in his best uniform, arrived at the house of Wilmer McLean to meet with General Grant. The Battle of First Manassas had been fought on Mr. McLean’s farm in Prince William County, and he had thereafter moved South to avoid the War, with the irony being that it all ended at his new home at Appomattox Court House. General Grant was dressed shabbily, in a private’s uniform, when he cordially greeted Lee. The 2 men talked of better days, at West Point, and of their time in the U.S. Army. Eventually the conversation turned to the matter at hand, wherein Lee accepted what can only be described as generous terms. The Confederate soldiers were to be paroled, and absent again taking up arms against the United States, they would not be prosecuted or punished. Officers could keep their sidearms, and all men could keep their horses and mules, so as to assist in the Spring planting. At Lee’s urging, Grant relented to allow the soldiers to keep their rifles so as to permit them to hunt game for food. And then it was over. General Grant ordered his troops to make available food and clothing supplies to the beleaguered Confederate troops. General Lee took his leave. There was not gloating, retribution, or anger. The War, for all practical purposes, was over.
Ceasefire? The Straits of Hormuz to open? President Trump announced a 2 week ceasefire, and that Iran would open the Straits of Hormuz. But there is 1 problem; Iran. It is an untrustworthy nation, whose leaders lie about everything. It is more likely that the bombing will have to resume soon.
Indeed, after the ceasefire was announced, bombs were still raining down on Israel. Iran announced it would “destroy” any ships that sought to pass through the Straits of Hormuz without its permission. An internal statement released by the Iranian government to its people hailed its defeat of the United States, and its determination to acquire and use nuclear weapons against the enemies of Allah. Hmmmm.
President Trump has information not possessed by The Observations. Perhaps the ceasefire is a good idea. Perhaps it will work, and peace will prevail. Perhaps.
But The Observations submits that history is a powerful teacher, and history teaches that Iran’s mullahs cannot be trusted, and will never abandon their mission to destroy Israel and the United States (indeed, Western Civilization). We expect the bombings to resume, sooner than later.
Democrats have been opposed to the war with Iran, openly cheering for America’s defeat. They have repeatedly accused the President and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth of committing “war crimes”. They decried the President’s threat to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age. AND THEN, after the President announced the 2 week ceasefire, the Democrats accused the President of backing down, chickening out, and tanking U.S. interests. Sigh.
It does not matter what President Trump does, as the Democrats will oppose whatever it is. Trump Derangement Syndrome.
“The President’s mental faculties are collapsing and cannot be trusted. To every individual in the President’s chain of command: You have a duty to refuse illegal orders. That includes carrying out this threat [against Iran].”
–Puddin’head, cheering for America to lose its war with Iran.
Puddin’head is not merely stupid. She is also vile, dangerous, and unpatriotic.
A former staffer has accused Representative Eric Swalwell (D. Ca.) of sexually pursuing his female interns and staffers. Representative Swalwell predictably blamed the accusations on . . . President Trump. Because, Orange Man Bad.
Twenty (20) House Republicans introduced a bill–the Dignidad Act–which is a radical amnesty bill for illegal aliens. It also expands immigration from the Third World. And among other indignities, the bill is written in Spanish. A Congressional bill, written in Spanish. Sigh.
Is it any wonder that the Republicans are The Stupid Party? Is it? Because this bill is the epitome of stupid!
“Trump is a military moron. His war, with a price tag of $44 billion and $4+ gas, made us worse off today than we were when he started it. And if he restarts this war we will be in even worse shape. We must pass our War Powers Resolution to end this war for good.”
–Senator Charles Schumer (D. N.Y.).
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D.) is crowing about all the investments and jobs she just brought to the Commonwealth. One (1) problem. The firms she is touting and for which she is claiming credit had already committed to the Commonwealth under Governor Glenn Youngkin (R.).
Abigail Spanberger is such a liar.
The Minneapolis, Minnesota City Council is considering legalizing the opening of public venues whereby consenting adults could engage in sexual activity (i.e. bathhouses). Almost 40 years ago, these venues were outlawed, due to the outbreak of AIDS. We guess that the City Council misses that scourge, having forgotten lessons learned.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANGIE WEINERTH! Robert tells me he gave you everything to celebrate your special day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Musso & Frank’s Grill. For 107 years, the iconic watering hole on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles has been serving up the coldest martinis, and perfectly charred steaks to the famous, infamous, and everyone else in between. If you find yourself in LaLa Land, you should stop by, settle down in one of the red leather booths, and prepare for an experience like no other.
Former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be publishing his memoir later this year. Crayons are not included.
GFK
Observations From The Fifth Estate 