What Happened to Confederate Leaders after the Civil War?
The American Civil War (1861-1865) was a defining moment in the country’s history, resulting in the abolition of slavery and the defeat of the Confederacy. For the leaders of the defeated Confederacy, the consequences of their rebellion were dire. In this article, we will explore what happened to the most prominent Confederate leaders after the Civil War.
Hanged and Executed
A total of 25 top Confederate leaders were imprisoned after the war. Twelve of them, including eight generals, were executed, hanged, or died in prison due to cruel treatment. These individuals played significant roles in the Civil War, including Robert Ould, the Confederate commissioner of prisoners, and Edmond Kirby, the general who surrendered the Confederate navy.
| Name | Conviction | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Major Robert Ransom | Treason | Hanged |
| John H. Winder | Treason | Hanged |
| Captain Charles Coffin | Treason | Hanged |
| Confederate Commissioner Robert Ould | Treason | Life Imprisonment |
Imprisonment
Many Confederate leaders were imprisoned for extended periods or exiled to other countries. Over 50 high-ranking Confederate officers were imprisoned at the Salem Prison in North Carolina, where they were treated harshly. Others, like Jubal Early, a general, and Matthew F. Maury, a sailor, were imprisoned at other facilities.
| Name | Prison | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Davis | Fort Monroe | 2 years |
| Stonewall Jackson’s successor | Fort Delaware | 15 months |
| P.G.T. Beauregard | Fort Monroe | 2 years |
Trial and Acquittal
Some Confederate leaders faced trials, but most were acquitted of treason due to legal and political considerations. Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America, was put on trial in 1866, but he was acquitted and later escaped to Europe.
| Leader | Trial Outcome | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Davis | Acquitted | Escaped to Europe |
| Judah Benjamin | Acquitted | Fled to the Bahamas |
| Edmund Ruffin | Committed Suicide | Before Trial |
Exile and Assimilation
Many former Confederate leaders chose to emigrate to avoid arrest, imprisonment, or assassination. About 3,000 ex-Confederates left the United States, primarily to Central and South America, but also to Canada and Europe.
| Name | Destination |
|---|---|
| Jeb Stuart | Cuba |
| James Longstreet | Puerto Rico |
| Albert G. Hodges | Italy |
Later Lives
Some Confederate leaders led more peaceful lives, engaging in various pursuits, such as writing, agriculture, and business. Zebulon Vance, a governor, wrote the War between the States, a novel. Others, like Henry Hampton, a brigadier general, became successful farmers. Matthew F. Maury, the sailor, became a successful marine life researcher.
| Leader | Later Life |
|---|---|
| Jubal Early | Teacher, Writer |
| John Tyler | Governor of Virginia, Writer |
| John A. Campbell | Ambassador, Writer |
In conclusion, the consequences of defeat in the Civil War were far-reaching for Confederate leaders. Many were executed, imprisoned, or forced into exile. While some escaped trials or acquittal, most were left to rebuild their lives in various ways, often leading peaceful lives with little to no influence over the post-war period.
Sources:
"After the Rebel Yell: The Southern Confederacy’s Refinements of Confederate Policy for the Reconstruction Era"
by James T. Woods"Reunion and Reaction: The Confederate Home Front" by Stephen W. Sears
- "Confederate Leaders in the Post-war Era" by Dr. Robert W. Tucker, Jr.
Note: Historical records and information were inconsistent, and this article focused on the most well-known and prominent Confederate leaders to provide a general overview.
