Category Archives: American Civil War

General Johnston surrenders 89,270 Confederate soldiers to General Sherman 150 years ago today (Apr 26 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (Apr. 26, 1865 at 26:32)

(Wednesday, April 26, 1865; during the American Civil War) — After three separate days (April 17, 18 and 26, 1865) of negotiations, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee and all remaining Confederate forces still active in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman today at the Bennett Farm in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina.

It was the largest surrender of the war, totaling 89,270 soldiers.

Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth dies 150 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (Apr. 26, 1865 at 26:07)

(Wednesday, April 26, 1865, at about 7:15 a.m.; during the American Civil War) — John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, died this morning about five hours after the men of the 16th New York Cavalry surrounded the tobacco barn he was sleeping in at Richard H. Garrett’s farm, just south of Port Royal, Caroline County, Virginia.

Booth had been shot in the neck by a soldier after he had refused to surrender and the barn was set on fire. As he lay dying, Booth looked at his hands and supposedly gasped, “Useless, useless.”

Lincoln Funeral Train reaches Philadelphia 150 years ago this hour (Apr 22 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken Burns The Civil War: Episode 9 The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Docum' (Apr. 22, 1865 at 22:13)

(Saturday, April 22, 1865, 4:50 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — The remains of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and his deceased son, William Wallace Lincoln, stopped in Philadelphia, today as part of a 1,654 mile journey to Springfield, Illinois, for burial.

White House funeral for President Abraham Lincoln held 150 years ago this hour (Apr 19 1865)

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


Video: 'Funeral March for Abraham Lincoln J.G. Barnard 1865'

(Wednesday, April 19, 1865, 12:10 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — A funeral was held today at the White House for President Abraham Lincoln, assassinated five days earlier; his coffin was then transported in a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol Rotunda, where a ceremonial burial service was held.

Johnston surrenders to Sherman 150 years ago today (Apr 18 1865)

1860s, American Civil War

(Tuesday, April 18, 1865; during the American Civil War) — Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman today near Durham Station in North Carolina (Sherman got himself into political hot water by offering terms of surrender to Johnston that encompassed political issues as well as military, without authorization. The confusion on this issue lasted until Apr. 26, 1865).

Andrew Johnson sworn-in as 17th U.S. President 150 years ago this hour (Apr 15 1865)

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

(Saturday, April 15, 1865, 10:00 a.m.; during the American Civil War) — Vice President Andrew Johnson, 56, was sworn in as the 17th President of the United States this morning, following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Continue reading Andrew Johnson sworn-in as 17th U.S. President 150 years ago this hour (Apr 15 1865) →

President Abraham Lincoln dies, ‘now belongs to the ages’ 150 years ago this hour (Apr 15 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 9 - The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Documentary' (Lincoln dies at 17:53)

(Saturday, April 15, 1865, 7:22:10 a.m.; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, 56, died this morning at the Petersen House in Washington, nine hours after he was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth.

Lincoln was the first American president to be assassinated. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton is said to have uttered, “Now he belongs to the ages.”

President Abraham Lincoln mortally wounded at Ford’s Theatre 150 years ago this hour (Apr 14 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 9 - The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Documentary' (Lincoln assassination at 14:49; shot fired at 15:36)

(Good Friday, April 14, 1865, approximately 10:13 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln in the back of the head near point blank range tonight after entering the presidential box at Ford’s Theatre in Washington during a performance of Our American Cousin. Continue reading President Abraham Lincoln mortally wounded at Ford’s Theatre 150 years ago this hour (Apr 14 1865) →

The Lincoln party arrives at Ford’s Theater 150 years ago this hour (Apr 14 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 9 - The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Documentary' (Lincoln arrives at 14:07)

(Good Friday, April 14, 1865, 8:30 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — President Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, Major Henry Rathbone and his fiancée Clara Harris arrived at Ford’s Theatre in Washington tonight and settled by into the presidential box. Continue reading The Lincoln party arrives at Ford’s Theater 150 years ago this hour (Apr 14 1865) →

Booth instructs fellow conspirators to kill Johnson, Seward 150 years ago this hour (Apr 14 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 9 - The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Documentary' (Booth instructors fellow conspirators at 13:39)

(Good Friday, April 14, 1865, 7:00 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — Actor John Wilkes Booth met for a final time with all his fellow conspirators tonight, instructing Lewis Powell to kill Secretary of State William H. Seward at his home, George Atzerodt to kill Vice President Andrew Johnson at his residence, the Kirkwood Hotel, and David E. Herold to guide Powell to the Seward house and then out of Washington to rendezvous with Booth in Maryland.

Booth planned to shoot President Abraham Lincoln with his single-shot Deringer and then stab Lt. Gen. Grant with a knife at Ford’s Theatre. They were all to strike simultaneously shortly after ten o’clock that night.