The War Draws to a Close

Sherman continues on In February of 1865, Sherman takes down Charlestown, South Carolina He wants to make an example of the first state to break away The Confederates set fire to supplies that they have to leave behind

The South keeps burning Both sides contribute to the destruction of the city of Charleston It will take several generations for this city to be rebuilt

Reunion or Destruction? The topic of reconstruction begins entering people’s minds on both sides What sort of compromises should both sides make? If the Union wants to reunite the country, they need to be careful about too much destruction

South tries to prolong the war The odds are not in their favor Finally, they begin to arm the slaves in exchange for their freedom Lee’s only hope is to meet up with his army in the west

Richmond Falls Jefferson Davis hears the Union army coming while he is in church The army does not attempt to defend the city; it just tries to escape Lee’s army is out of supplies now and completely surrounded

Lee and Grant Reunite-April 9 Lee shows up to the meeting to surrender completely decked out in his uniform; ready to go down with honor They reminisce about West Point and the Mexican War

The Terms The Union would take no prisoners of war Lee’s army must lay down their weapons and be paroled Grant allowed them to take their horses and mules home Lincoln is assassinated 5 days later

Lincoln is Killed On April 15 th Lincoln was at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. when he was shot by John Wilkes Booth Booth was a sympathizer of the Confederate cause He also planned to kill the vice president Andrew Johnson and secretary of state William Seward

Booth Escapes He broke his leg jumping from the balcony to the stage but escaped on horseback 9 days after the assassination Booth is captured but shot in the neck in the process and killed His fellow conspirators were hung

Tribute to a Great Leader Walt Whitman wrote Oh Captain! My Captain! as a tribute to Lincoln It marked the end to the war, the end of slavery, and new beginnings for the country of the United States as a whole

Troops Return Home The destruction in the South was overwhelming The Southern way of life had ended forever The road forward seemed unclear