Bringing the War to an End-From Appomattox to Citronelle

This lecture explores the critical final months of the American Civil War, focusing on the series of surrenders that brought the conflict to a close. Starting with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in April 1865, we will trace the subsequent capitulations of Confederate forces across the South, culminating in the surrender at Citronelle, Alabama. By examining the terms of surrender, the personal interactions between military leaders, and the broader implications for the nation, this session illuminates how these moments symbolized not just the end of a war but the beginning of a challenging journey toward reunification and reconstruction.