Category Archives: American Civil War

Booth learns Lincoln will attend play tonight 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' (Apr. 14, 1865, afternoon at 13:20-13:39)

(Good Friday, April 14, 1865, at around noon; during the American Civil War) — When actor John Wilkes Booth dropped by Ford’s Theatre today in Washington, D.C., to pick up his mail today, he learned that President Abraham Lincoln and Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant (and their respective wives) would be attending a performance of the British hit comedy Our American Cousin that evening (the Grants would bow out at the last minute, replaced by Major Henry Rathbone and his fiancée Clara Harris, daughter of New York Senator Ira Harris).

American flag flies over Fort Sumter again 150 years ago this hour (Apr 14 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 9 - The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865) |Ken Burns Documentary' (Apr. 14, 1865, at 11:34)

(Good Friday, April 14, 1865, noon; during the American Civil War) — Four years to the day after lowering the Fort Sumter Flag in surrender to Confederate forces, Major General Robert Anderson of the U.S. Army returned to the ruined fort to raise the flag he had lowered at the outbreak of war in 1861.

Formal ceremony marks disbandment of the Army of Northern Virginia 150 years ago today (Apr 12 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Apr. 12, 1865, 1:00:42)

(Wednesday, April 12, 1865; during the American Civil War) — A formal ceremony today marked the disbandment of the Army of Northern Virginia and the parole of its officers and men, effectively ending the war in Virginia.

This event triggered a series of surrenders across the south, signaling the end of the war.

Lincoln delivers final speech, Booth vows it will be the president’s last 150 years ago tonight (Apr 11 1865)

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


Video: 'LINCOLN'S FINAL SPEECH'

(Tuesday, April 11, 1865, evening; during the American Civil War) — Two days after Lee’s army surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, President Abraham Lincoln spoke to a crowd outside the White House tonight, saying, “We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart.” Continue reading Lincoln delivers final speech, Booth vows it will be the president’s last 150 years ago tonight (Apr 11 1865) →

Washington celebrates Lee’s surrender, but Lincoln too weary to deliver formal speech 150 years ago this hour (Apr 10 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Apr. 10, 1865, 1:03:08)

(Monday, April 10, 1865, 5:00 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — In Washington, fireworks filled the sky tonight in celebration of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox yesterday. A great crowd gathered around the White House called for President Abraham Lincoln, but he was too weary to make a formal speech. Continue reading Washington celebrates Lee’s surrender, but Lincoln too weary to deliver formal speech 150 years ago this hour (Apr 10 1865) →

Lincoln poses for portrait 150 years ago today (Apr 10 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Apr. 10, 1865, 1:03:32)

(Monday, April 10, 1865; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln walked over to the Alexander Gardner studio today at the corner of 7th and D Streets in Washington to sit for another portrait. Somehow, the glass plate negative cracked while being developed. The photographer made a single print then threw the negative away.

Lee surrenders his army to Grant at Appomattox 150 years ago this hour (Apr 9 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Apr. 9, 1865, 52:55)

(Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865, 1:30-3:00 p.m.; during Battle of Appomattox Court House, part of the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant today at the McLean House in Appomattox, Virginia. Continue reading Lee surrenders his army to Grant at Appomattox 150 years ago this hour (Apr 9 1865) →

Lee requests ‘suspension of hostilities pending the discussion of the Terms of surrender’ 150 years ago this hour (Apr 9 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Apr. 9, 1865, 51:58)

(Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865, 11:50 a.m.; during Battle of Appomattox Court House, part of the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee dispatched a letter under a white flag today into the Union lines, asking for a “suspension of hostilities pending the discussion of the Terms of surrender of this army.”

Lee’s army defeated in Battle of Appomattox Court House 150 years ago this morning (Apr 9 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Apr. 8, 1865, 50:54)

(Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865, dawn; during Battle of Appomattox Court House, part of the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon to make one more attempt to break out at Appomattox this morning.

But after Gordon’s men drove federal cavalry from their positions and swept forward to the crest of a hill they were halted by an advancing solid wall of blue, the entire Union Army of the James.

Upon hearing the news, Lee finally stated the inevitable: “Then there is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths.”