Y’know, I don’t know why I like this story as much as I do. I’m not really much of a history buff, and I am definitely not a Civil War afficianado. But I think there is something very cool about finding an historic document that’s been completely ignored. It’s like the ultimate “treasure in the trash” scenario:
Officials at a small Civil War museum made an intriguing discovery while sifting through storage: A document long treated as a photo reproduction of the terms of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender appears, upon closer inspection, to contain actual signatures and date to 1865.
Museum officials believe they have one of the three original documents signed by representatives of the Union and Confederacy in Appomattox Court House, Va., on April 10, 1865, a day after Lee’s surrender. (AP via Yahoo! News)
Even if this turns out to be a souvenir copy, the fact that it was signed by the key participants, including General Lee, makes this a relic from our country’s history. I think it has to be amazing to be able to hold a piece of history in one’s hands like this. I’d love to be able to touch it, or at least to see it in person.