Nearing the End

150 years ago, the American Civil War was nearing an end. In April 1861, when the Confederates fired upon Fort Sumter, the war began. No one believed it would be a long war; most thought it would be over by Christmas, but it dragged on for four more years and is the deadliest war in American history with over 600,000 casualties. 

Photo: npr.org

The spring of 1865 witnessed the Appomattox campaign, in which the Confederate forces, under General Robert E. Lee, attempted to regroup after their defeat at Petersburg and Richmond by retreating into the Carolinas to join General Joseph E. Johnston's army. Union General Ulysses S. Grant did not allow this and pursued Lee and his men relentlessly. 

Photo: longwood.edu

Lee attempted to march to Lynchburg, Virginia in order to resupply his army before entering the Deep South. However, Grant and his troops forced the Confederates to fight a number of battles and eliminated their chance to resupply. On April 6, at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia, the Confederates lost over 7,000 men. This loss greatly hurt Lee and his men but he pushed on to try and escape Grant. But the end of the war was nigh. 

Photo: thomaslegion.net