Category Archives: American Civil War

President Lincoln visits vanquished Confederate capital of Richmond 160 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1865)

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


Video: 'Lincoln | Now He Belongs to the Ages' (Apr. 4, 1865, at 7:07)

(Tuesday, April 4, 1865, around 3:00 p.m. local time; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by his son Tad, arrived in Richmond today and was cheered by crowds of Union soldiers and former slaves as he toured the former Confederate capital after traveling up the James River from City Point, Virginia. Continue reading President Lincoln visits vanquished Confederate capital of Richmond 160 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1865) →

Davis declares ‘no peace’ will ‘ever be made with the infamous invaders’ 160 years ago today (Apr 4 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


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.

Union forces occupy Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 3 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


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) →

Confederate government evacuates Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


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) →

Siege of Petersburg is broken, Confederate General Hill killed 160 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


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) →

Pickett’s troops crushed in Battle of Five Forks, Virginia 160 years ago today (Apr 1 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 1, 1865, at 36:41)

(Saturday, April 1, 1865; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Union forces led by Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan routed Confederate soldiers under the command of Maj. Gen. George Pickett today in the Battle of Five Forks in Virginia. Continue reading Pickett’s troops crushed in Battle of Five Forks, Virginia 160 years ago today (Apr 1 1865) →

Lincoln sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Johnson as 16th VP 160 years ago today (Mar 4 1865)

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


Video: 'Lincoln's second inaugural address March 4, 1865)'

(Saturday, March 4, 1865, approximately noon local time; during the American Civil War) — President Abraham Lincoln, 56, was inaugurated today for a second term of office on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase administering oath of office. Continue reading Lincoln sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Johnson as 16th VP 160 years ago today (Mar 4 1865) →

Columbia burns; Confederates abandon Fort Sumter, evacuate Charleston 160 years ago today (Feb 17 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Sherman's March: Final Revenge 3/5' (Feb. 17, 1865, at 0:00)

(Friday, February 17, 1865; during the Carolinas Campaign, part of the American Civil War) — Columbia, South Carolina, burned today as the Confederates evacuated and Union forces moved in. It’s not clear which side was responsible for setting the blaze, or whether it had been deliberate. Continue reading Columbia burns; Confederates abandon Fort Sumter, evacuate Charleston 160 years ago today (Feb 17 1865) →

Lincoln and Confederate VP Stephens meet for peace talks, but Southern autonomy stalls progress 160 years ago today (Feb 3 1865)

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


Video: 'History Bites : Hampton Roads Conference'

(Friday, February 3, 1865, morning local time; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens held a shipboard peace conference on the River Queen, near Union-controlled Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, today; the talks deadlocked over the issue of Southern autonomy. Continue reading Lincoln and Confederate VP Stephens meet for peace talks, but Southern autonomy stalls progress 160 years ago today (Feb 3 1865) →

Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman advances into South Carolina during American Civil War 160 years ago today (Feb 1 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Carolinas Campaign begins at 21:14)

(Wednesday, February 1, 1865; during the American Civil War) — After about two weeks of preliminary movements and extensive preparations, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman today actively began his march into South Carolina from Savannah, Georgia, and Beaufort, South Carolina.