Just across the Missouri River from St. Louis, in a tiny and all but forgotten cemetery, is a marker with the life-size statue of a soldier standing atop it. The grave is that of Archie Bowman — a farm boy from the area who went to fight in World War I. That war ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — Nov. 11, 1918. Archie's life ended one day later, on the 12th. Technically, and I suppose officially, Archie was the last soldier to die in that war.

That reminds me of a sign posted near the McLean House in Virginia — the building where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant to end the Civil War. The sign notes that 18 Confederate soldiers and one Union soldier are buried nearby. They were killed April 8 and 9, 1865. Lee surrendered April 9. The war was essentially over, and those 19 missed the rest of their lives by a matter of hours.

It's difficult to imagine, but a mere 154 years ago, the nation began what is still the deadliest war for Americans. And exactly 150 years ago, it came to an end. Left behind was a decimated and shellshocked country where virtually no area was spared.

Even though most of the conflicts took place in the South or on the East Coast, volunteers traveled hundreds of miles to contribute. About 80,000 were mustered from as far away as Maine, with another 90,000 coming from Michigan. Of those from Michigan, 1 in 6 died fighting in the war.

The final major battle and turning point came April 1, near Petersburg, Virginia, at converging roads known as Five Forks. There, Lee's army was isolated and exhausted from trench fighting. Grant sent Gen. Philip Sheridan's troops and cavalry against Confederate Gen. George Pickett's smaller numbers. The rout made Lee realize that to continue was hopeless. On April 9, he surrendered.

Fifty years ago this week, a commemorative stamp was issued showing the silhouette of a Civil War soldier beside three stacked rifles, with the name Appomattox and the dates 1865-1965. For the time, it was an OK stamp, but comparatively speaking, it was a lackluster centennial tribute.

Last week, two new "forever" stamps were issued commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. They are the final two in the five-year, 10-stamp recognition of the nation's deadliest conflict. Each of the 10 stamps has detailed paintings of key events in the war. These last two include images of the final battle at Five Forks and the surrender at Appomattox.

The Five Forks battle scene on the stamp is as bloody as any depicted about the war. What's so moving in these is the level of hand-to-hand combat. Kills are made not through the scopes of rifles at long distances but within feet of combatants and as close as a sword.

The scene on the Appomattox stamp is especially telling with the expressions on the faces. Among a roomful of officers, Grant has a look of genuine sympathy as he faces Lee. Conversely, Lee appears to have the mood of angry defeat. That's understandable, given that when the decision to submit was made, Lee was quoted as saying, "I would rather die a thousand deaths (than surrender)."

Over the past century, the Civil War has been one of the most commemorated events on all types of definitive and commemorative U.S. stamps (and coins). These are outstanding additions and very likely are the last we will see for the next 50 years. Like those that preceded them, they are being issued in special sheets with detailed information attached.

Special first-day-of-issue cancellations on the new stamps are also available by mail for a limited time. To obtain one, you must purchase the stamps at a local post office, affix them to a self-addressed envelope and mail those inside of a separate envelope to: The Civil War: 1865, Postmaster, 791 Court St., Appomattox, VA 24522-9998. There's no charge for the cancel, but all requests must be postmarked by June 8.

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the two new and final Civil War commemorative stamps has been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.