Which Best Describes How the Civil War Ended?
The American Civil War, fought between the Union (the northern states) and the Confederacy (the southern states), came to an end in April 1865 with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. But what exactly led to the war’s conclusion? Let’s take a closer look at the events and key players that shaped the end of the conflict.
Appomattox Campaign
In March 1865, Union General Ulysses S. Grant launched a final campaign against the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee. Lee’s army was in a precarious position, being surrounded by Grant’s forces and facing severe supply shortages.
Contents
Lee’s Surrender
On April 9, 1865, Lee and Grant met at the McLean House in Appomattox, Virginia, to discuss surrender terms. The terms were lenient, allowing Confederate soldiers to retain their horses and sidearms and return to their homes, as long as they promised not to fight again.
Table: Lee’s Surrender Terms
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Retain horses and sidearms | Confederate soldiers were allowed to keep their horses and sidearms |
| No fighting again | Lee and his men promised not to fight again |
| Safe passage home | The terms allowed for safe passage for Confederate soldiers to return home |
Fall of Confederate Strongholds
Meanwhile, other Confederate strongholds were falling to Union forces. On April 12, 1865, Fort Monroe in Virginia surrendered, followed by Fort Fisher in North Carolina on April 18. These surrender were significant, as they prevented the Confederacy from escaping or continuing to wage war.
Rosecrans’ Expedition
Another significant event occurred in early April 1865 when Union General William S. Rosecrans led an expedition to capture the vital Confederate supply center at Bentonville, North Carolina. The expedition was successful, capturing over 5,000 Confederate soldiers and severing their supply lines.
Other Key Events
- On April 10, 1865, Union forces captured Atlanta, Georgia, a strategic city and industrial center for the Confederacy.
- On April 14, 1865, Union troops captured the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, just hours after President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
- On April 26, 1865, General E. Kirby Smith surrendered the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department, marking the final major surrender of the war.
Siege of Petersburg and the Fall of Richmond
The siege of Petersburg lasted from June 1864 to March 1865, with Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant trying to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. The siege was a key event in the war, as it weakened the Confederate ability to resist Union forces and ultimately led to the capture of Richmond.
Key Players
- Robert E. Lee: General-in-Chief of the Confederate States Army
- Ulysses S. Grant: General-in-Chief of the Union Army
- Abraham Lincoln: 16th President of the United States
- William S. Rosecrans: Union general leading the expedition to capture Bentonville, North Carolina
- E. Kirby Smith: Confederate general who surrendered the Trans-Mississippi Department
Conclusion
The American Civil War came to an end on April 9, 1865, when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. The war’s conclusion was marked by a series of key events, including the surrender of Confederate strongholds, the fall of Atlanta and Richmond, and the final surrender of Confederate forces. The war ended with the Union victorious and the Confederacy defeated.
In Summary:
- Lee’s surrender on April 9, 1865, marked the end of the war
- The terms were lenient, allowing Confederate soldiers to retain their horses and sidearms and return home
- Other Confederate strongholds were falling to Union forces
- Rosecrans’ expedition to capture Bentonville, North Carolina, was successful in capturing over 5,000 Confederate soldiers
- Key events included the siege of Petersburg and the fall of Richmond
- Key players included Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, William S. Rosecrans, and E. Kirby Smith.
