Category Archives: 1860s

Eight defendants convicted in Lincoln assassination 150 years ago today (June 30 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (June 30, 1865. at 31:48)

(Friday, June 30, 1865) — Eight people, including Mary Surratt and Dr. Samuel Mudd, were convicted today by a military commission of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Four of the defendants, including Surratt, would be executed July 7, 1865; Mudd was sentenced to life in prison, but was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson in 1869.

Sherman’s men march in Grand Review of the Armies 150 years ago this hour (May 24 1865)

1860s


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (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.

Two-day Grand Review of the Armies begins 150 years ago this hour (May 23 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (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.

Jefferson Davis held at Ft. Monroe for two years beginning 150 years ago today (May 22 1865)

1860s


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (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.

Last man killed in combat during American Civil War 150 years ago this hour (May 13 1865)

1860s


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (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.

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.