Category Archives: American Civil War

Lincoln to Grant: ‘Let the thing be pressed’ 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.”

Confederates defeated at Battle of Sailor’s Creek 160 years ago this hour (Apr 6 1865)


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.

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


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)


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)


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)


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)


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)


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)


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)


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)