The Civil War Book

On this day in the Civil War, as part of a demobilization program, President Lincoln halts the draft and reduces war supply requisitions.

On this day in the Civil War, Confederates abandon the last two remaining fortifications that blocked Union troops from Mobile, Alabama.

On this day in the Civil War, crowds of people, led by a brass band, come to the White House as the news of Lee’s surrender sweeps through Washington City. President Lincoln is called on to make a speech. Lincoln informs the crowd he will give a speech the next day, he then asks the band to play ‘Dixie’ remarking that it has always been a favorite song of his.

President Lincoln

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War,  at Appomattox, Virginia, the Confederate Army begins an attack on Federal troops blocking their path to the South. The Union infantry begins to advance against the Confederates. As the morning wears on Lee realizes that further resistance would be futile so he orders a white flag be carried through the Union lines with a request for a cease fire until he is able to work out terms of surrender with General Grant. In the early afternoon, the two generals meet at the home of a Wilmer McLean in Appomattox Court House. Grant writes the terms of surrender and, at Lee’s request, adds: ‘let all men who claim to own a horse or mule take the animals home with them to work their farms’. After signing the surrender, Lee mounts his horse and rides back to his men, he tells them,”Go to your homes and resume your occupations. Obey the laws and become as good citizens as you were soldiers”.

General Grant states, “The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again.”

Grant and Lee

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)