ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel The Infographics Show What Happened in the Final Hours of the Civil War
The Civil War was a significant period in American history, marked by intense battles and deep divisions between the Union and the Confederacy. However, as the war drew to a close, the focus shifted to how the nation could begin to heal and reunite.
After the Revolutionary War, the United States faced many challenges. By the mid-1800s, the North was rapidly industrializing, while the South relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton and tobacco, which depended on enslaved labor. As more people in the North began to oppose slavery, tensions with the Southern states grew. The Dred Scott decision in 1857, which upheld slavery, and John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry further heightened these tensions.
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was a turning point. Within months, several Southern states, including South Carolina and Texas, seceded from the Union. The Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina.
The war’s end began to take shape with General Robert E. Lee’s attack on Fort Stedman in March 1865. However, Union General Ulysses S. Grant launched a counterattack, forcing Lee to retreat from key locations like Richmond. As Lee’s troops struggled to find supplies, Grant reached out, urging Lee to surrender.
On April 8, Union forces blocked Lee’s path, leading to desertions among Confederate soldiers. By April 9, Lee realized he had no choice but to surrender. He contacted Grant, and they agreed to meet to discuss the terms.
The historic meeting took place at Wilmer McLean’s home in Appomattox. Lee, dressed in his formal attire, and Grant, in his muddy uniform, discussed the surrender terms. Grant offered generous terms: Confederate soldiers could return home without prosecution if they agreed not to fight again. They could also keep their horses, and Grant provided food for the starving soldiers. By 3 PM, the formal surrender was signed.
The next day, Grant and Lee finalized the details, ensuring all Confederate soldiers received passes and could keep their horses. On April 12, the formal surrender of arms took place, marking what many see as the end of the Civil War, although it wasn’t officially declared over until later.
Even after Lee’s surrender, confusion remained as other Confederate armies were still active. Grant clarified that the surrender applied only to Lee’s army, and efforts continued to bring other Confederate forces under similar terms. By May, most Confederate generals had surrendered, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured.
The last military action occurred in Texas on May 12, 1865, but the war effectively ended with the surrender of General Edmund Kirby Smith on May 26. The Confederate ship CSS Shenandoah continued operations until November 1865, when it surrendered in England.
On August 20, 1866, President Andrew Johnson declared the end of the insurrection in Texas, officially concluding the Civil War. However, the nation faced the challenging task of reconstruction, dealing with the integration of the Southern states and the aftermath of emancipation. The Reconstruction Era was marked by ongoing tensions and the rise of groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
While the war had ended, the struggle for unity and equality continued, shaping the future of the United States.
Create a detailed timeline of the final months of the Civil War, starting from General Lee’s attack on Fort Stedman to the official end of the war. Use online resources to find images and primary sources to enhance your timeline. This will help you understand the sequence of events and their significance.
Participate in a role-playing debate where you take on the roles of key figures from the Civil War, such as Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, or Ulysses S. Grant. Discuss the terms of surrender and the challenges of reconstruction. This activity will help you explore different perspectives and the complexities of post-war negotiations.
Examine primary sources from the period, such as letters, diaries, or official documents related to the surrender at Appomattox. Analyze these sources to gain insights into the thoughts and emotions of those involved. Write a reflection on how these documents contribute to your understanding of the Civil War’s conclusion.
Use historical maps to trace the movements of Union and Confederate forces during the final battles of the Civil War. Identify key locations and discuss how geography influenced military strategies and outcomes. This will help you visualize the war’s progression and its impact on the nation.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a soldier or civilian during the final days of the Civil War. Focus on the emotions and challenges faced during this period of transition. This creative exercise will allow you to empathize with individuals from the past and understand the human aspect of historical events.
The Civil War divided the United States, leading to numerous stories of battle, injustice, and intrigue over the four years of conflict between the Union and the Confederacy. One often overlooked narrative is how a fractured nation began to reunite in the war’s final hours.
Following the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States, the nation faced significant challenges. In the mid-19th century, industrial growth in the North contrasted sharply with the South’s reliance on cotton and tobacco farming, which depended heavily on enslaved labor. As abolitionist sentiments gained traction, criticism of the Southern states intensified. The Dred Scott decision of 1857 affirmed the legality of slavery, prompting abolitionist John Brown to raid Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. This escalated tensions, leading to the Southern states’ increasing suspicion and hostility toward the North.
The election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860 was a turning point. Within three months, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas had seceded from the Union. On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, marking the beginning of the Civil War. More states joined the Confederacy, including Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
The war’s conclusion began with General Robert E. Lee’s attack on Fort Stedman near Petersburg, Virginia, on March 25, 1865. General Grant counterattacked on April 1, forcing Lee to retreat from Richmond and Petersburg. As Lee’s troops searched for supplies, Grant saw an opportunity and reached out to Lee on April 7, urging him to surrender. Although Lee did not accept the plea, he inquired about the terms.
As the situation in Appomattox escalated, Union General Philip Sheridan’s cavalry and infantry blocked Lee’s path on April 8. Confederate soldiers began deserting, and Lee found himself cornered. By April 9, with no supplies and no escape route, Lee had no choice but to surrender. He ordered his men to retreat and waved white flags between 10 and 11 AM.
Lee contacted Grant, and they agreed to meet to discuss surrender terms. Grant’s headache vanished upon receiving Lee’s letter, and he sent a staff officer to deliver his response. The meeting took place at Wilmer McLean’s home in Appomattox. Lee arrived around 1:00 PM, dressed formally, while Grant appeared in his muddy field uniform. They exchanged pleasantries before discussing the terms of surrender.
The terms included the surrender of weapons, signing paroles, and allowing soldiers to return home without prosecution if they did not take up arms again. Lee accepted the terms, and Grant agreed to allow Confederate cavalrymen to keep their horses and provided food rations for the starving soldiers. By 3 PM, the formal surrender was signed.
The next morning, Grant and Lee met again to finalize details, ensuring that all Confederate soldiers received passes and could keep their horses. On April 12, the formal surrender of arms took place, marking what many consider the end of the Civil War, although the official declaration would not come for another 16 months.
In the aftermath, confusion reigned regarding the terms of Lee’s surrender, as other Confederate armies remained active. Grant clarified that the surrender applied only to the Army of Northern Virginia, and efforts were made to bring in other Confederate forces under similar terms.
As Union General William T. Sherman pursued General Johnston’s Confederate Army, the two generals met and discussed terms for surrendering all remaining Confederate forces. Although Sherman initially proposed a broader agreement, it was ultimately rejected, leading to a more straightforward military surrender.
Other Confederate generals soon followed suit, with significant surrenders occurring throughout May. Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President, was captured on May 10, and remaining Confederate forces gradually surrendered.
The last Confederate military action occurred at Palmito Ranch in Texas on May 12, 1865, but the war effectively ended with the surrender of General Edmund Kirby Smith on May 26. The CSS Shenandoah, a Confederate raider, continued operations until November 1865, when it surrendered in England.
On August 20, 1866, President Andrew Johnson proclaimed the end of the insurrection in Texas, marking the official conclusion of the Civil War. However, the nation faced the daunting task of reconstruction, grappling with the integration of the Confederacy and the aftermath of emancipation. The Reconstruction Era would see ongoing tensions and violent backlash, including the rise of groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
While the war itself had ended, the struggle for unity and equality continued.
Civil War – A war between citizens of the same country. – The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern states and the Southern states.
Reconstruction – The period after the Civil War in the United States when the Southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union. – During Reconstruction, the United States worked to rebuild the Southern economy and integrate formerly enslaved people into society.
Surrender – To cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority. – General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865 marked the end of the Civil War.
Union – The Northern states during the American Civil War, which supported the federal government. – The Union was committed to preserving the United States and ending slavery.
Confederacy – The Southern states that seceded from the United States in 1860-1861, leading to the Civil War. – The Confederacy was formed by states that wanted to maintain their independence and continue the practice of slavery.
Slavery – The system in which people are owned by others and deprived of personal freedom. – Slavery was a central issue that led to the outbreak of the Civil War in the United States.
Tensions – Strained relations between groups or nations, often leading to conflict. – The tensions between the North and South over issues like states’ rights and slavery eventually erupted into the Civil War.
Battles – Large-scale combat between armed forces during a war. – The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most significant battles of the Civil War, turning the tide in favor of the Union.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and shape a better future.
Emancipation – The act of freeing someone from slavery or oppression. – The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863, declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory.
