Timeline 1865

Question 1

Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolishes slavery throughout the United States.

Answer 1

January

Question 2

Columbia, South Carolina, is almost completely destroyed by fire, most likely set by Sherman’s troops.

Answer 2

February

Question 3

Lincoln is inaugurated as President for a second term.

The Appomattox campaign begins, with Grant’s move against Lee’s defenses at Petersburg, Virginia.

Answer 3

March

Question 4

Petersburg falls, and the Confederate government evacuates its capital, Richmond. Confederate corps commander Ambrose Powell Hill is killed in action while attempting to rally his men.

Union troops occupy Richmond.

Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant at Appomattox.

John Wilkes Booth shoots President Lincoln at Ford’s Theater; Secretary of State William H. Seward is stabbed and wounded in an assassination attempt inside his Washington home.

Lincoln dies, and Andrew Johnson is inaugurated as President.

Joseph E. Johnston surrenders to William T. Sherman in North Carolina; John Wilkes Booth is shot in a barn in Virginia and dies.

Answer 4

April

Question 5

Jefferson Davis is captured and taken prisoner near Irwinville, Georgia.

In New Orleans, terms of surrender are offered to General E. Kirby Smith, commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department. His acceptance on June 2 formally ends Confederate resistance.

Answer 5

May

Question 6

All eight conspirators are convicted for the assassination of President Lincoln; four are sentenced to death.

Answer 6

June