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City of Richmond, Virginia
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. -
Richmond made Capital of Virginia
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Virginia Secedes from the Union
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Virginia becomes part of the Confederate States of America
Shortly thereafter the capital 0f the Confederacy is moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia -
Seven Days Battle
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. -
Bread Riots
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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Period: to
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
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Battle for Three Forts
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. -
The Evacuation Fire
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, -
Grant takes Richmond
Union forces met little resistant and take control of Richmond. -
Lincoln tours fallen Riuchmond
Lincoln mobbed by jubulant African-American slaves. Lincoln visits Confederate White House. -
Battle of Appomattox Court House
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 -
Death of President Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln falls victim to fatal attack by assassin John Wilks Booth -
Surrender of the Army of Tennessee
General Joseph E. Johnston surrenders the remants of the Army of Tennessee and all armed forces in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. -
Surrender of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi & Eastern Louisiana
General Richard Taylor (the only son of President Zachary Taylor) surrenders all armies in Alabama, Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. -
Surrender of Trans-Mississippi Army
E. Kirby Smith surrenders Trans-Mississippi Army -
Surrender of 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles
General Stand Waite surrenders the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles thus ending all organized Confederate resistance.
