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Flag of truce
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This is half of what had once been a white linen
dish towel that was used as a Confederate flag of
truce at Appomattox. It was carried by a staff officer
of General James Longstreet into the lines of General
George Custer, a cavalry commander under General
Philip Sheridan. General Robert E. Lee was requesting
a suspension of fighting while he sought to learn
the terms of surrender General Grant was proposing
to offer. After the war, Sheridan presented the
flag to Mrs. Custer in appreciation of the loyal
service performed by her husband. |
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Division of Social History, Political History
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian
Institution
Behring Center
Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth B. Custer
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