President Andrew Johnson declares American Civil War ‘virtually at an end’ 150 years ago today (May 9 1865)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents

(Tuesday, May 9, 1865; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation today declaring the American Civil War may be regarded as “virtually at an end” and that nations or ships still harboring fugitives would be denied entry into U.S. ports. Persons found aboard such vessels would no longer be given immunity from prosecution of their crimes.