The Civil War Comes to an End

Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia April 9, 1865 Grant’s siege of Petersburg weakens Lee’s lines Gen. Sheridan cuts off Lee’s supplies from Shenandoah Lee’s exhausted troops surrender at the Wilmer McLean’s Home “The war is over. The rebels are our country men again.” General Ulysses S. Grant

Surrender at the Wilmer McLean’s House

War Brings Changes The Civil War was the deadliest war in American history – 620,000 died -nearly as many as all other U.S. wars combined Political Changes – The role of the federal government increased – Supreme law of the land Economic changes – Gap between North and South – South lost 2/3 of her wealth – Federal debt rose – Inflation rose in both North and South Social changes – 13 th Amendment was added to the Constitution – Ended slavery in the United States

The Union armies had from 2,500,000 to 2,750,000 men. Their losses, by the best estimates: Battle deaths:110,070 Disease, etc.:250,152 Total360,222 The Confederate strength, known less accurately because of missing records, was from 750,000 to 1,250,000. Its estimated losses: Battle deaths:94,000 Disease, etc.:164,000 Total258,000

The Boys return home Johnny Reb “I shall not attempt to describe my feelings. The city is in ruins….with a raging headache and a swelling heart I reach my home, and here the curtain falls” Billy Yank “a feeling of profound contentment….too deep to be expressed in mere words.”

President Lincoln “Thank god I have lived to see this. I have been living a nightmare for four years, and not the nightmare is over.” Last photo of President Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln assassinated On April 14, 1865 By John Wilkes Booth - famous stage actor “Our American Cousin” was Ford’s Theatre Booth shot and killed President Lincoln as he watched the play Booth was shot and killed at a tobacco warehouse “useless, useless” were his last words His fellow “conspirators” are swiftly hanged

Walt Whitman Poem Expressed the country’s sadness The prize was many things – End to the war – End of slavery – A new beginning for the United States of America “O Captain! My Captain, our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every storm, The prize we sought is won.”

Epilogue The Union is preserved The Federal Government is the Supreme Law of the Land No more talk of States Rights’ New era in war fare – modern war Now it is time to reconstruct the Union