John R. Wiley

Dispatches from the American Civil War on this day 150 years ago. Hear it as it happens.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 27 '65 In a horrible accident, the Sultana, heaviliy loaded with returning Union prisoners exploded on the Mississippi. Over 1800 died.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 27 '65 Johnston surrendered his armies to Sherman yesterday in NC. Still more armies out there, but it is clear the war is winding down

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 17 '65 Gen Sherman and Gen Johnston met in NC to start surrender talks.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 14 '65 Lincoln is shot and gravely wounded. The gunman shot him at a play in Ford's Theater.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 13 '65 Raleigh NC surrendered to Gen. Sherman, mostly without incident. The Confederacy can provide little resistance to Union advances.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 9 '65 Grant's terms - "[men can keep] their private horses & baggage. [each man] will be allowed to return to their homes..."

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 9 '65 - 4 PM. McLean's farm, Appomattox, Va.
Lee and Grant signed surrender terms for Lee's Army.
The war in Virginia is over.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 9 '65 Lee, 8 AM - "Then there is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths."

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 9 '65 Dawn. Gordon's Conf cavalry attacked Sheridan, but quickly withdrew when he saw Sheridan was backed by two Corps of infantry.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 8 '65 Lee's options are dimming. Today at Appomattox Station the Union destroyed 4 trains of supplies, wagons and over 100 guns.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 7 '65 Grant has just asked Lee to surrender his army. Lee, not ready to give in yet, did ask what terms Grant would offer.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 6 '65 My God, has the army dissolved? - Lee after losing ~1/4 of his army at Sailor's Creek. 1100 Union men lost. (Hat tip @meganRitter)

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 4 '65 Lincoln left Wahington early today with his son Tad. Together they went to Richmond which was occupied yesterday by the Union.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Apr 2 '65 After 292 days of seige, Grant broke through at Petersburg. Lee orders evacuation of P'burg and Richmond. CSA Gen AP Hill killed.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Mar 31 '65 Lee tried to break through Grant's lines at White Oak Rd SW of Petersburg. The Union prevailed and Lee's men are hungry & tired.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Mar 20 '65 Johnston is dug in at Bentonville, NC, evacuating wounded and maybe hoping Sherman will attack. Sherman holds back.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Mar 20 '65 Actor John Wilkes Booth was going to kidnap and ransom Lincoln today, but was foiled when the President changed plans.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Mar 19 '65 Central NC: The remnants of Joe Johnston's Conf Army hit Sherman's left wing hard. After the fight the CSA withdrew & entrenched.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Mar 10 '65 Carolinas: Conf cavalry hit early this morning at Monroe's Crossroads. Union Gen Kilpatrick barely escaped in his nightclothes.

[John R. Wiley @CivilWarRedux]

Mar 6 '65 Some CSA soldiers, volunteers and cadets from Florida's Military & Collegiate Institute stopped a Union attack at Natural Bridge.