Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Tuesday, April 4, 1865 : Lincoln tours Richmond, and is greeted and cheered by many African Americans, who up to this day had been slaves in numerous households in the city. Newspapers write: “He has no right to put [his life] at the mercy of any lingering desperado in Richmond, or of any stray bullet in the field, unless some special service can be rendered by his personal presence.” Lincoln, accompanied by a small group of soldiers, and a growing entourage of freed slaves, walks to the Confederate White House and sits and remarks, “This must have been President Davis’s chair.” Grant decides, that an active pursuit of Lee’s men was not required. He got his army to follow them, but only on a parallel course. However, Grant was wary about any attempt by Lee to link up with what was left of Johnston’s men (CSA). Attempting to bolster the Confederacy, President Davis (CSA) urges a continuation of the struggle. General Lee is waiting for supplies, that do not arrive at Amelia Court House to feed his army. Lee’s route to North Carolina is blocked, by Major General Philip H. Sheridan (U.S.) as his forces arrives at Jetersville, which is southwest of Amelia Court-House and his men block the Danville Railroad. Major General George G. Meade (U.S.) is closing in from the east. Wednesday, April 5, 1865 : Lincoln and Confederate Assistant Secretary of War, John Campbell meet to discuss peace. General Robert E. Lee (CSA) unable to feed his army; orders food be sent by rail from Lynchburg, and turns his army toward Farmville. His army skirmishes at Amelia Springs and Paine’s Cross Roads. Parson Brownlow is inaugurated as Governor of Tennessee. The Tennessee General Assembly ratifies the 13th Amendment making Tennessee, the 18th state to do so. Thursday, April 6, 1865 : A wooden bridge for wagons is located below the railroad bridge, at “High Bridge” a crossing of the South Side Railroad over the Appomattox River just 4 miles northeast of Farmville, Virginia. During the retreat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, had moved north of the river, except for a rear guard provided by Longstreet’s Corps (CSA) at Rice’s Station on the southern bank. The bridges had to be protected, and then destroyed to delay the pursuit of the Union Army under Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant. Union Major General William Mahone’s division secures the bridge. The rest of Lee’s army moves on to Farmville and a rendezvous with trains of rations is put off. The Confederate Army separates into two columns heading in different directions. But now mutiny was a problem. General Ewell (CSA) had to surrender his 8,000 men at Sayler’s Creek, when they refuse to carry out his orders to fight, the advancing Union troops of Major Generals. Philip H. Sheridan and Horatio Wright’s 6th US Army Corps (U.S.). Friday, April 7, 1865 : Lieut. General Ulysses S. Grant (U.S.) confers with General Robert E. Lee (CSA) through messages, asks Lee to surrender and Lee inquires into his terms. The Union forces continue to surround Lee and skirmish with them. Saturday, April 8, 1865 : Lincoln returns to Washington. Lee and his staff decide to turn down surrender because of the “exchange” condition. General Lee's (CSA) only hope now is try to break through the Union lines. Outside of Mobile, Union troops take Spanish Fort (CSA) and Fort Alexis (CSA).