What Happened This Year 1865

Historical Events from This Year 1865

Politics & Government

Lincoln Visits Captured Richmond Virginia

April 4th, 1865 159 years ago

In a significant moment during the American Civil War, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln made a visit to Richmond, Virginia, which had recently been captured by Union forces. This marked a pivotal moment as Richmond was not only the capital of the Confederate States but also a symbol of the Confederacy's struggle. Lincoln's visit occurred just a day after the Union troops took control of the city, emphasizing his commitment to the reunification of the nation and signaling a crucial turning point in the war.

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Military & Warfare

Confederate Army's Defeat at Sailor's Creek

April 6th, 1865 159 years ago

The Battle of Sailor's Creek marked a significant engagement in the Appomattox Campaign, during which Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia faced Union forces led by Major General Philip Sheridan and Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant. This battle unfolded as Lee’s troops were in retreat from Richmond, Virginia, where rising pressures from Union advances left them vulnerable. The conflict resulted in a decisive victory for the Union, inflicting heavy casualties on the Confederates while further diminishing their capacity to sustain the war effort.

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Military & Warfare

Lee Surrenders to Grant at Appomattox

April 9th, 1865 159 years ago

General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, marking a significant turning point in the American Civil War. This moment followed a series of Confederate defeats and was spurred by Lee's realization that escape and further resistance were no longer viable. The surrender included approximately 26,765 troops and established terms favorable to the Confederates, allowing them to return home with their horses and personal effects.

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Military & Warfare

Robert E. Lee's Final Address to His Troops

April 10th, 1865 159 years ago

Following his surrender to Union forces, Confederate General Robert E. Lee addressed his troops in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, providing a somber farewell. In this pivotal moment, Lee expressed gratitude for their loyalty and bravery while urging them to peacefully reintegrate into society. His address marked the end of their Confederate service, reinforcing unity and perseverance as they faced the loss of the war. The gathering signified not only the conclusion of Lee's command but also the lasting commitment of the soldiers to one another despite the outcome of the conflict.

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Military & Warfare

Union Army Captures Mobile, Alabama

April 12th, 1865 159 years ago

The Union Army successfully captured Mobile, Alabama, a key Confederate port city, significantly impacting the Civil War. Under the command of General Edward Canby, the Union forces laid siege to the city, which had been fortified and was defended by Confederate troops led by General Richard Taylor. The capture was completed after intense fighting and key tactical maneuvers, leading to the surrender of Confederate forces. This victory contributed to the decline of Confederate control in the South.

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Military & Warfare

Union Forces Occupy Raleigh, North Carolina

April 13th, 1865 159 years ago

Union forces under Major General William T. Sherman occupied Raleigh, North Carolina. This event marked a significant advancement in the Union's campaign to secure the South. Following the fall of Richmond and the end of combat operations in Virginia, Sherman's army moved through North Carolina, where they faced minimal resistance. Raleigh was filled with Confederate stragglers and local residents, who experienced the arrival of Union troops with a mixture of fear and hope.

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Politics & Government

Abraham Lincoln Assassinated at Ford's Theatre

April 14th, 1865 159 years ago

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., while attending a play entitled 'Our American Cousin.' Booth, a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer, shot Lincoln in the back of the head and fled the scene. He then took an escape route out of the city, but the nation was plunged into mourning. Lincoln died the following day in a nearby boarding house, leaving his legacy deeply affected by the violence of his assassination.

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Crime & Law

Attack on Seward Family by Lewis Powell

April 14th, 1865 159 years ago

Lewis Powell, a conspirator of John Wilkes Booth, attacked William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, in his home during a coordinated series of attacks against key government officials. Powell entered the Seward residence in Washington D.C., believing that Secretary Seward was responsible for the oppression of the South. He inflicted severe stab wounds on Seward, who was recovering from an accident, and also attacked family members before fleeing the scene amidst the chaos of a wider assassination plot that targeted President Abraham Lincoln that same night.

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Politics & Government

Abraham Lincoln's Death and Johnson's Swearing In

April 15th, 1865 159 years ago

Abraham Lincoln died in Washington, D.C. after being shot by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre the previous evening. Following Lincoln's death, Vice President Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the 17th President of the United States. The events unfolded dramatically in the midst of the American Civil War, as the nation grappled with the sudden loss of its leader and the uncertain future ahead.

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