What Happened in 1865

Isaac W. Sprague, aka 'The Original Living Skeleton' Begins Performing at Barnum's American Museum

Isaac W. Sprague (May 21, 1841, in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts - January 5, 1887, in Chicago, Illinois) was a famous "human... Read more

P. T. Barnum Elected To Connecticut Legislature

Though a Democrat for years, Barnum eventually broke from his party -- and declined its invitation to run for the state's governor -- because of... Read more

Rashid Rida is born

Muhammad Rashid Rida (September 23, 1865, Syria - August 22, 1935, Egypt) is said to have been "one of the most influential scholars and jurists of... Read more

Second Battle of Fort Fisher

The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union Army and naval forces against Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington, North Carolina, near... Read more

Battle of Rivers' Bridge

Description:On February 2, a Confederate force under McLaws held the crossings of the Salkehatchie River against the advance of the right wing of... Read more

Battle of Hatcher's Run

Description: On February 5, Bvt. Brig. Gen. David Gregg’s cavalry division rode out to the Boydton Plank Road via Ream's Station and Dinwiddie... Read more

Battle of Wilmington

Description: With the fall of Fort Fisher to Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry’s and Rear Adm. David Porter’s combined operation on January 15, Wilmington’s... Read more

The Mayor Of Charleston, South Carolina, Surrenders Control Of The City To Alexander Schimmelfennig

A City of ruins, —silent, mournful, in deepest humiliation…The band was playing 'Hail, Columbia,' and the strains floated through the desolate... Read more

Battle of Fort Myers

The Battle of Fort Myers was fought on February 25, 1865, in Lee County, Florida during the last months of the American Civil War. This small... Read more

Confederate Spy John Yates Beall Executed

John Yates Beall (January 1, 1835 - February 24, 1865) was a Confederate privateer in the American Civil War who was arrested as a spy in New York... Read more

Lincoln Delivers Second Inaugural Address

Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, during his inauguration at the start of his second term as President of... Read more

Battle of Natural Bridge

Other Names: None Location: Leon County Campaign: Operations near St. Marks, Florida (1865) Date(s): March 6, 1865 Principal... Read more

Battle of Wyse Fork

The Battle of Wyse Fork was a battle fought in the Carolinas Campaign of the American Civil War, resulting in a Union Army... Read more

Battle of Monroe's Crossroads

Description: As Sherman’s army advanced into North Carolina, Kilpatrick’s Cavalry Division screened its left flank. On the evening of March 9, two... Read more

General William T. Sherman Captures The Town Of Fayetteville, North Carolina

During March and April of 1865, troops under command of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston fought General William T. Sherman's 60,000-man... Read more

Battle of Averasborough

Description: On the afternoon of March 15, Judson Kilpatrick’s cavalry came up against Lt. Gen. William Hardee’s corps—consisting of Taliaferro’s... Read more

Battle of Bentonvillemar

Description: While Slocum’s advance was stalled at Averasborough by Hardee’s troops, the right wing of Sherman’s army under command of Maj. Gen.... Read more

Battle of Fort Stedman

Description: In a last-gasp offensive, Gen. Robert E. Lee amassed nearly half of his army in an attempt to break through Grant’s Petersburg... Read more

Battle of Spanish Fort

Other Names: None Location: Baldwin County Campaign: Mobile Campaign (1865) Date(s): March 27-April 8, 1865 Principal Commanders: Maj.... Read more

Battle of Lewis's Farm

The Battle of Lewis's Farm (also known as Quaker Road, Military Road, or Gravelly Road) was fought on March 29, 1865, in Dinwiddie County,... Read more

Battle of Dinwiddie Court House

Description: On March 29, with the Cavalry Corps and the II and V Corps, Sheridan undertook a flank march to turn Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Petersburg... Read more

Battle of White Oak Road

Other Names: Hatcher’s Run, Gravelly Run, Boydton Plank Road, White Oak Ridge Location: Dinwiddie County Campaign: Appomattox Campaign... Read more

Battle of Five Forks

The Battle of Five Forks was fought on April 1, 1865, southwest of Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County, during the Appomattox Campaign of the... Read more

Union Army defeats Confederate Army at Petersburg VA

Ulysses S. Grant's army attacked Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia. By mid-afternoon, Confederate troops had begun to evacuate the town.... Read more

Third Battle of Petersburg

The Third Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Breakthrough at Petersburg or the Fall of Petersburg, was a decisive Union assault on the... Read more