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In 1737 the land for the development of the City of Richmond, Virginia was donated by Col. William Boyd from his personal plantation to the State of Virginia.
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Shortly thereafter the capital 0f the Confederacy is moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia
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General George McClellan leads the Army of the Potomac (1000,000 strong)on the ill-fated Peninsula Campaign to capture Richmond and end the hostilities. Richmond's fortifications and artillery are commanded by the cream of the Army of Northern Virginia (65,000) commanded
Generals Robert E. Lee - Stonewall Jackson - James Longstreet - J.E.B. Stuart. -
By 1863 the population of Richmond had quadrupled. After a severe drought the prior year, the planters reluctance to grow grain instead of cotton, and the army foraging the countryside for food; shortages were at an extreme level. An exacerbation of the problem was uncontrllable, run-away inflation.
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In a last ditch effort to save Richmond General Lee fell back on an old strategy and ordered a surprise attack. Lee committed over 6,000 troops (a full1/8 of his remaining forces) to capture three forts held by the Union to be used as Confederate stronghold. Instead the soldiers found destroyed and abandoned forts. Lee lost over 4,000 men in the assault with the bulk of the remaining soldiers surrendering rather than fce the gauntlet of Union fire.
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Despite shortages & impending starvation the peoploe had always relied on Robert E. Lee to protect them. His position untenable, Lee ordered withdrawal of his troops. An order was given to burn munitions plants, bridges across the James River & warehouses. The fires quickly burned out of control,
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Union forces met little resistant and take control of Richmond.
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Lincoln mobbed by jubulant African-American slaves. Lincoln visits Confederate White House.
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After a morning confrontation, his men starving and surrounded General Robert E. Lee meets with General Ulysses S. Grant at the home of Wilmer McLean and negotiates the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia
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President Abraham Lincoln falls victim to fatal attack by assassin John Wilks Booth
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General Joseph E. Johnston surrenders the remants of the Army of Tennessee and all armed forces in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
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General Richard Taylor (the only son of President Zachary Taylor) surrenders all armies in Alabama, Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana.
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E. Kirby Smith surrenders Trans-Mississippi Army
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General Stand Waite surrenders the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles thus ending all organized Confederate resistance.
