Historical Society plans Civil War program

The Cole County Historical Society is presenting a Civil War program, "The Road to Appomattox" and "The Road from Appomattox," at 2 p.m. May 9 in the society's courtyard at 109 Madison St.

The event is free and open to the public.

Civil war re-enactor Randy Durbin will portray Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee will be portrayed by re-enactor Lane Smith.

Smith and Durbin bring to life the April 9, 1865, surrender of Lee's army to Grant at Appomattox Court House in "The Road to Appomattox."

The April 10, 1865, meeting of the two generals where Grant tried to persuade Lee to use his influence to ask other Confederate armies to surrender is recreated in "The Road from Appomattox."

This year is the sesquicentennial of Lee's surrender to Grant.

Call the society at 635-1850 for more information about the program.