Custer was to serve throughout the Civil War. He fought at the first major battle of the war, which was the Battle of Bull Run. Custer was also present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox which effectively ended the American Civil War. Indeed, Custer played a big part in the defeat of Lee, as it was his cavalry that cut off the Confederate’s line of retreat. The surrender of Lee to Grant was signed on a table in a farmhouse near the town of Appomattox Courthouse. Lee left the signing immediately and so did Grant and none thought of the table where the historic document was signed.
The table upon which the capitulation of the South to the Union eventually became the property of Custer’s wife. Originally Sheridan, one the Union’s greatest generals, obtained the table. However, he decided to give it as a gift to his brilliant young subordinate, in recognition of his services, during the war. Custer’s wife was given the table. She lived until 1933 and when she died she bequeathed it to the Smithsonian Institution. It is still held by the institution and it is one of its most prized assets and exhibits.
