Appomattox Court House National Historical Park Cemeteries - Grave of Lafayette Meeks

Grave of Lafayette Meeks

The grave of Lafayette Meeks is significant under certain criteria by virtue of its association with the site of the surrender of the Confederacy to the north. It is identified as structure number 09D in the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. It contributes to the story of events of 1865 in the Old Appomattox Court House. Lafayette Meeks died in 1861 while serving in "H" Company, second VA Cavalry of the Confederate Army when he died from typhoid fever. The gravestone reads that he served in the Battle of Manassas. The single marked burial in the field is northwest of Meeks Stable.

The grave of Lafayette Meeks is marked by a white marble headstone, twenty four and a half inches wide by fifty high at the springline of the arch. The grave stone was set in concrete by the Civilian Conservation Corps to prevent further deterioration. A gray granite footstone is thirteen inches wide by seventeen inches high. The headstone carries a bas-relief which appears to be the "tree of life" design and is badly deteriorated. The inscription reads:

Lafayette. W. Meeks

Son of Francis & Maria Meeks

Born March 2, 1843

And died in the defence of his country

October 4, 1861 at Fairfax C.H., VA