(Friday, May 26, 1865, during the American Civil War) — Confederate Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, acting for General Edmund Smith (pictured above), signed a military convention surrendering Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department today in New Orleans, Louisiana, ending all organized Southern military resistance to the Union forces. Continue reading Confederate forces west of Mississippi surrender, marking effective end of American Civil War 160 years ago today (May 26 1865)
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 24, 1865 at 30:26)
(Wednesday, May 24, 1865, 10:00 a.m. local time) — The Grand Review of the Armies, a two-day military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., following the close of the American Civil War, concluded today as General William T. Sherman led the 65,000 men of the Army of the Tennessee and the Army of Georgia, with an uncharacteristic semblance of military precision, past the admiring celebrities, most of which had never seen him before.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 23, 1865 at 29:13)
(Tuesday, May 23, 1865, 9:00 a.m. local time) — The Grand Review of the Armies, a two-day military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., following the close of the American Civil War, began today.
Elements of the Union Army paraded through the streets of the capital to receive accolades from the crowds and reviewing politicians, officials, and prominent citizens, including the President Andrew Johnson.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 22, 1865 at 28:07)
(Monday, May 22, 1865) — Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis, captured by union forces on May 10, 1865, was incarcerated for two years beginning today at Fort Monroe, Virginia, made to wear chains in a cell kept perpetually lit.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 13, 1865 at 28:47)
(Saturday, May 13, 1865, 4:00 p.m.; during the Battle of Palmito Ranch) — In what is considered as the final battle of the American Civil War, Union Private John J. Williams of the 34th Indiana is believed to have been the last man killed in combat in the war as the Battle of Palmito Ranch in Cameron County, Texas, ended in a Confederate victory.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 10, 1865 at 26:45)
(Wednesday, May 10, 1865, dawn) — Union forces led by Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin D. Pritchard captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis today at a military camp in Irwinville, Georgia.
(Tuesday, May 9, 1865, 12 noon local time; 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. Continue reading President Andrew Johnson declares American Civil War ‘virtually at an end’ 160 years ago this hour (May 9 1865)
Video: 'Almanac America's first train robbery'
(Friday, May 5, 1865, sometime after 8:00 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — In what’s believed to be America’s first train robbery, a band of criminals derailed a St. Louis-bound train near North Bend, Ohio tonight and proceeded to rob the passengers and loot safes on board before getting away.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 4, 1865 at 24:35)
(Thursday, May 4, 1865, 1:00 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was laid to rest today in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois, following a 180-city, seven-state train journey from Washington, where he had been assassinated.
Lincoln’s son Willie, who died at age 11 from typhoid fever in 1862 and had originally been buried in Washington while Lincoln was serving as president, was interred next to his father in the family plot.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' May 3, 1865 at 23:22)
(Wednesday, May 3, 1865, 9:00 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The remains U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, fatally shot on the evening of Apr. 14, 1865, and his deceased son, William Wallace Lincoln, arrived today in Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Illinois, for public viewing at the Old State House, concluding a 1,654 mile train journey from Washington for final burial.
