Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 8, 1865, at 50:04)

(Saturday, April 8, 1865, evening local time; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and his weary lieutenants gathered around a campfire tonight near the little village of Appomattox Courthouse and found themselves almost entirely surrounded, outnumbered nearly five to one and without hope of resupply or reinforcement. Continue reading Lee’s Confederate armies almost entirely surrounded, outnumbered 160 years ago tonight (Apr 8 1865) →

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 7, 1865, at 49:31)

(Friday, April 7, 1865, 5:00 p.m. local time; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — As Union forces under Gen. Ulysses Grant pursued the Confederate army under Gen. Robert E. Lee along the Appomattox River, Grant initiated a series of dispatches between between the two commanders: Continue reading Grant asks Lee to surrender to avoid ‘any further effusion of blood’ 160 years ago this hour (Apr 7 1865) →

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 7, 1865, at 48:17)

(Friday, April 7, 1865 11:00 a.m. local time; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln sent Gen. Ulysses Grant a telegram today, stating: “Gen. Sheridan says ‘If the thing is pressed I think that Lee will surrender.’ Let the thing be pressed.”

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 6, 1865, 47:54)

(Thursday, April 6, 1865; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Union cavalry and infantry inflicted 6,000 casualties on the armies of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and captured eight generals including Lee’s own son, Custis, today in the Battle of Sailor’s Creek near Farmville, Virginia.

Lee now had fewer than 25,000 men facing 125,000 federal troops closing in from three sides.

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 4, 1865, at 47:24)

(Tuesday, April 4, 1865; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — From the new temporary Confederate capital of Danville, Virginia, President Jefferson Davis issued a proclamation to the people of the South today admitting the great loss the Confederacy has suffered in the fall of Richmond; he tells them that while the struggle is entering a new phase, they should not abandon the fight.

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 3, 1865, 41:16-42:44)

(Monday, April 3, 1865, 8:15 a.m. local time; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Union General Godfrey Weitzel formally accepted the surrender of Richmond today. Continue reading Union forces occupy Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 3 1865) →

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 2, 1865, at 38:43)

(Sunday, April 2, 1865, approximately 11:00 p.m. local time; immediately following the Third Battle of Petersburg, part of the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — While attending church in Richmond, Virginia, Confederate President Jefferson Davis received a message from General Robert E. Lee telling him that he will have to evacuate the Confederate capital immediately because the Confederate troops are being forced to abandon the defense of Petersburg because of advancing Union forces. Continue reading Confederate government evacuates Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1865) →

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 2, 1865, at 36:54)

(Sunday, April 2, 1865, approximately 7:00 a.m. local time; during the Third Battle of Petersburg, part of the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — The Union Army launched an assault on Confederate trenches and fortifications in Petersburg, Virginia, today, exposing or cutting the Confederate right flank, rear and remaining supply lines. Continue reading Siege of Petersburg is broken, Confederate General Hill killed 160 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1865) →