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The Final Days of the Civil War
The spring of 1865 witnessed the collapse of the Confederacy and the end of slavery. After Appomattox, all Virginians faced an uncertain future.
By the spring of 1865, the Confederate army defending Richmond was stretched to the breaking point. On April 2, Union forces overran the southern defenses near Petersburg, forcing Robert E. Lee's army to abandon both cities. During the evacuation of Richmond, fire destroyed much of the city. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9 at Appomattox Court House. |