Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Monday, April 10, 1865 : Still on the run, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and some of his cabinet leaves Danville, Virginia for Greensborough, North Carolina, hoping to evade Major General George Stoneman’s (U.S.) Cavalry. In Benton and Lowndesborough, Alabama, Lieut. General Nathan Bedford Forrest (CSA) and Brig. General James H. Wilson (U.S.) and their cavalries continue to fight the war between the states. General Sherman (U.S.) still going after General Joseph E. Johnston, (CSA) who is now in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tuesday, April 11, 1865 : In what would be his final speech, Lincoln makes a rare public endorsement of limited voting rights for black voters: “It is also unsatisfactory to some, that the elective franchise is not given to the colored man. I would myself prefer that it were conferred on the very intelligent, and on those who serve our cause as soldiers.” Confederate forces evacuate Mobile, Alabama and head for Meridian, Mississippi. Wednesday, April 12, 1865 : The city of Mobile surrenders to Union forces. At Appomattox Court House, Virginia, there is a formal surrender ceremony. Union General James H. Wilson’s cavalry occupies Montgomery, Alabama, while Sherman (U.S.) makes his way to Raleigh. President Davis and General Joseph E. Johnston (CSA) meet to discuss the peace negotiations. Thursday, April 13, 1865 : President Lincoln ceases the draft and further war supply requisitions. General Sherman arrives in the North Carolina capital, Raleigh. Friday, April 14, 1865 : President Lincoln meets with General Grant to discuss the status of the war. In the evening Lincoln goes to Ford’s Theatre, to see the comedy ‘Our American Cousin’. At 10:00 p.m., Lincoln is shot in the back of the head, by John Wilkes Booth. The assassin makes his escape by jumping on to the stage and running off. Booth breaks his leg in the escape. Along with David Herold, a co-conspirator, they flee the city. They arrive at the home Dr Samuel Mudd, who sets Booth’s broken leg. News of General Lee’s surrender reaches West Tennessee, as Bolivar’s schoolgirl Sally Wendel Fentress write’s in her diary: “In spite of my resolution to be always happy, this news has cast such a damper over my spirits, that I am really sick enough to go to bed. “Oh, Heaven my bleeding country save!” Richmond has fallen. General Lee surrendered with the whole army. Generals Fitzhugh Lee and H. P. Hill among the killed. In vain, can we search the history of the world from the beginning to find such chivalry and heroism as the Southern people have shown during the long and bloody conflict. Look at General R. E. Lee, J. E. Johnston, N. B. Forrest and all the other officers and soldiers of the Confederacy. . . Frank got a paper and read us the despatches between Gens. Lee and Grant. Oh that mine head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep over the fall perhaps of the Confederacy.” Saturday, April 15, 1865 : President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 a.m. from injuries received at the hands of John Wilkes Booth the night before in Washington, D.C. The pistol shot had entered the back of the President’s head and lodged near his right eye. Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, who was also attacked during the conspiracy proclaims, “Now he belongs to the ages.” At 11:00 a.m. that morning, Vice President, Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency. Meanwhile, still on the run, Jefferson Davis and his cabinet leave Greensborough, North Carolina. The fighting continues in West Virginia. Lincoln was granted enough time on this earth to see his part through to the end — the end of the Great American Civil War, which he guided the United States successfully through. Sunday, April 16, 1865 : On this Easter Sunday, church services are packed with mourners dressed in black. Preachers compare the deaths of Lincoln and Jesus Christ. The Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles (U.S.) continues the manhunt by ordering all vessels in the Chesapeake