The American Civil War concluded through a series of surrenders, beginning with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, and ending officially with President Johnson's proclamation on August 20, 1866.
The American Civil War stands as one of the most pivotal conflicts in U.S. history, fundamentally reshaping the nation's social and political landscape. While many associate its conclusion with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, the war's end wasn't quite so simple.
The path to peace unfolded gradually across several months in 1865, marked by multiple Confederate surrenders in different regions. Though Lee's surrender represented a decisive turning point, other Confederate forces continued fighting for weeks afterward. The final Confederate general didn't surrender until May 26, 1865, and President Andrew Johnson didn't formally declare the war's end until August 20, 1866 - more than a year after the last shots were fired.
Key Events Leading to the Civil War's End
#Several pivotal military campaigns in early 1865 accelerated the Confederate collapse leading to the war's conclusion. These operations effectively dismantled the Confederate resistance through strategic advances across multiple fronts.
The Fall of Richmond
#The Confederate capital of Richmond fell to Union forces on April 3, 1865, marking a decisive turning point in the Civil War. Confederate President Jefferson Davis evacuated the city as Union troops approached, abandoning crucial government documents offices. Federal troops found Richmond in flames, with retreating Confederate forces setting fire to military supplies bridges to prevent Union capture. The city's capture forced General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to retreat westward, culminating in their surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
Sherman's March to the Sea
#General William T. Sherman's destructive campaign through Georgia South Carolina devastated the Confederate heartland's economic military capabilities. His forces:
- Destroyed 300 miles of railroad tracks
- Captured the port city of Savannah in December 1864
- Seized Columbia, South Carolina in February 1865
- Disabled Confederate supply lines transportation networks
This campaign:
| Impact Category | Numerical Effect |
|---|---|
| Railroad Miles Destroyed | 300 |
| Path Width (miles) | 60 |
| Distance Covered (miles) | 285 |
| Estimated Property Damage | $100 million |
Sherman's successful march demonstrated the Union's overwhelming military superiority isolated Lee's army in Virginia, contributing directly to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.
Appomattox Court House Surrender
#The surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, marked the most significant Confederate capitulation of the Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant established the framework for ending the four-year conflict.
Meeting Between Lee and Grant
#Lee arrived at the McLean House in Appomattox Court House at 1:00 PM, wearing his dress uniform with a ceremonial sword. Grant entered the house 30 minutes later in a mud-splattered field uniform. The two generals exchanged cordial greetings, briefly discussed their shared experiences in the Mexican War before addressing the surrender terms.
Terms of Surrender
#The surrender terms proved remarkably lenient toward Confederate forces:
- Confederate officers retained their side arms, private horses and personal belongings
- Union forces provided 25,000 ration packages to Confederate troops
- All Confederate soldiers received parole papers allowing them to return home
- Confederate troops surrendered their weapons except for personal firearms
- Officers submitted a signed parole pledge not to take up arms against the United States
| Surrender Statistics | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Confederate troops surrendered | 28,231 |
| Artillery pieces surrendered | 316 |
| Battle flags surrendered | 71 |
| Days to complete the surrender process | 4 |
The McLean House meeting lasted 90 minutes, resulting in a document that preserved dignity for Confederate forces while maintaining Union authority. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia formally laid down their arms in a ceremony on April 12, 1865, with Union troops showing respect by presenting arms as Confederate soldiers marched past.
Other Confederate Surrenders
#Following General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, several Confederate armies continued fighting across the South. These subsequent surrenders occurred over multiple weeks as Union forces systematically dismantled remaining Confederate resistance.
Johnston's Army Surrender
#General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee to General William T. Sherman on April 26, 1865, at Bennett Place near Durham, North Carolina. This surrender included 89,270 Confederate troops across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, marking the largest surrender of Confederate forces. The terms mirrored those granted at Appomattox, allowing soldiers to keep their private property while turning in their weapons.
Trans-Mississippi Surrender
#- 20,000 small arms
- 1,800 artillery pieces
- 30 naval vessels
- Military supplies valued at $34 million
| Confederate Force | Date of Surrender | Location | Number of Troops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army of Tennessee | April 26, 1865 | Bennett Place, NC | 89,270 |
| Trans-Mississippi | May 26, 1865 | Galveston, TX | 43,000 |
Final Acts of the Civil War
#The American Civil War's closing chapter unfolded through several pivotal events following the Appomattox surrender. These events shaped the immediate aftermath of the conflict during April-May 1865.
Lincoln's Assassination Impact
#President Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865, just five days after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, disrupted the post-war reconciliation process. John Wilkes Booth's attack at Ford's Theatre altered the path of Reconstruction by elevating Vice President Andrew Johnson to the presidency. Johnson's differing views on post-war policies led to a more lenient approach toward former Confederate states, contrasting with Lincoln's planned reforms.
Last Confederate Cabinet Meeting
#The final Confederate Cabinet meeting took place on May 5, 1865, in Washington, Georgia. Jefferson Davis convened his remaining officials to address the collapse of the Confederate government following Lee's April 9 surrender. During this meeting, Davis officially dissolved the Confederate government by distributing $39,000 in silver coins to the troops. Several cabinet members departed separately to avoid capture by Union forces, marking the formal end of the Confederate administrative structure.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln's Assassination | April 14, 1865 | Ford's Theatre, Washington D.C. |
| Last Cabinet Meeting | May 5, 1865 | Washington, Georgia |
| Confederate Treasury Distribution | May 5, 1865 | $39,000 in silver |
Official End Declarations
#The formal conclusion of the American Civil War required official proclamations to establish legal endpoints for wartime measures. These declarations marked the transition from military conflict to peacetime governance.
President Johnson's Proclamation
#President Andrew Johnson issued Proclamation 157 on August 20, 1866, declaring the Civil War officially over. The proclamation restored rights in all states except Texas, establishing peace "in all the territory of the United States." A second proclamation on April 2, 1866, formally ended the insurrection in Texas, completing the legal termination of the conflict across all former Confederate states.
| Proclamation Details | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Declaration | August 20, 1866 | End of war in all states except Texas |
| Texas Declaration | April 2, 1866 | Complete end of insurrection |
Grand Review of the Armies
#The Grand Review of the Armies occurred on May 23-24, 1865, in Washington D.C., serving as a ceremonial end to military operations. Over 150,000 Union soldiers marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in a victory parade that lasted two days. The Army of the Potomac, led by General George Meade, paraded on the first day, while General William T. Sherman's Army of Tennessee marched on the second day.
| Grand Review Statistics | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Total Troops | 150,000+ |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Parade Route | Pennsylvania Avenue |
| Union Armies | 2 (Potomac & Tennessee) |
Key Takeaways
#- The American Civil War didn't end with a single event - Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865) was just the beginning of the end
- Multiple Confederate surrenders occurred between April-May 1865, with the largest being Johnston's Army of Tennessee (89,270 troops) on April 26, 1865
- The final Confederate surrender came from the Trans-Mississippi forces on May 26, 1865, in Galveston, Texas
- President Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865, significantly impacted post-war reconstruction plans and policies
- The last Confederate Cabinet meeting took place on May 5, 1865, officially dissolving the Confederate government
- President Andrew Johnson formally declared the war's end through Proclamation 157 on August 20, 1866 - more than a year after the last battle
Conclusion
#The American Civil War's end wasn't defined by a single moment but rather through a series of significant events spanning from 1865 to 1866. While Lee's surrender at Appomattox on April 9 1865 marked a crucial turning point it wasn't until President Johnson's proclamations in 1866 that the war officially concluded.
The path to peace involved multiple Confederate surrenders the dissolution of the Confederate government and the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington D.C. These events collectively transformed the nation setting the stage for Reconstruction and fundamentally reshaping American society. Today the war's end continues to remind us of the complex journey toward national reunification and the enduring impact it had on American history.