[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous Harper’s Weekly thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4308140/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

General Grant’s Victory – 1, 8, 11
Major-General Canby – 2
The Interior of Fort Lafayette – 2, 16
The Joy-Gun, by Lieutenant Richard Realf – 2-3
Richmond – 3
Sheridan – 3
The Agassiz Expedition – 3
Art Criticism – 3
The Spirit of the South – 3-4
Another View – 4
The Song of the Bugle – 4
Domestic Intelligence – 4
Interesting Items – 4-5
Sketches from Sherman’s Army – 5-8, 17
Humors of the Day – 8
The Camp of Rebel Prisoners at Elmira – 8, 15
God Help the Poor – 9
“It Will Out” – 9-10
Maureen Lacey – 12-14
From Our Special War Correspondent – 14

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 14 (reply #66).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4309654/posts?q=1&;page=51#66

David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 14 (reply #65).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4309654/posts?q=1&;page=51#65

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 14 (reply #67).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4309654/posts?q=1&;page=51#67

David W. Blight, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

All for the Union: The Civil War Diary and Letters of Elisha Hunt Rhodes, edited by Robert Hunt Rhodes

[BrexitBen]

No sterling contributions this morning from the Empire’s favorite house organ, The New York Times?

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Johnny Green of the Orphan Brigade: The Journal of a Confederate Soldier, Edited by A.D. Kirwan

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Mary Chesnut’s Civil War, edited by C. Vann Woodward

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 14 (reply #70).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4309654/posts?q=1&;page=51#70

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: [April 15,] 1865 (“The respiration of the President became suspended at intervals, and at last entirely ceased at twenty-two minutes past seven.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/01/diary-of-gideon-welles-april-15-1865.html

Brevet Major-General Montgomery C. Meigs to Major-General Christopher C. Augur, 12:00 a.m., April 15, 1865 (“The Secretary directs that the troops turn out; the guards be doubled; the forts be alert; guns manned; special vigilance and guard about the Capitol Prison.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/brevet-major-general-montgomery-c-meigs.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, April 15, 1865 (“I beg to call your attention to the security of this city, and especially to the large number of rebel officers and privates, prisoners of war, and rebel refugees, and deserters that are among us”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/03/edwin-m-stanton-to-lieutenant-general_13.html

Major Thomas T. Eckert to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, 12:20 a.m., April 15, 1865 (“Secretary Seward and his son Frederick were also assassinated at their residence and are in a dangerous condition.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/08/major-thomas-t-eckert-to-lieutenant.html

Charles A. Dana to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, April 15, 1865 — 12:50 a.m. (“Permit me to suggest to you to keep a close watch on all persons who come near you in the cars or otherwise”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/03/charles-dana-to-lieutenant-general.html

Edwin M. Stanton to John Kennedy, April 15, 1865 – 1 a.m. (“Send here immediately three or four of your best detectives to investigate the facts as to the assassination of the President and Secretary Seward.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/edwin-m-stanton-to-john-kennedy-april.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General John A. Dix, April 15, 1865 – 1:30 a.m. (“All the members of the Cabinet except Mr. Seward are now in attendance upon the President. I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frederick were both unconscious.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general-john_78.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General John A. Dix, April 15, 1865 – 4:10 a.m. (“The President continues insensible and is sinking. Secretary Seward remains without change. Frederick Seward’s skull is fractured in two places, besides a severe cut upon the head.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general-john_9.html

Death Of President Lincoln: Announcement To The Vice-President, April 15, 1865 (“Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, was shot by an assassin last evening at Ford’s Theater, in this city, and died at the hour of twenty-two minutes after 7 o’clock.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/death-of-president-lincoln-announcement.html

Diary of Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes: Saturday, April 15, 1865—8 a.m. (“Startled by report that Lincoln, Seward and were assassinated. Somehow felt it was true.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/05/diary-of-brigadier-general-rutherford-b.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General William T. Sherman, April 15, 1865 – 12:10 p.m. (“President Lincoln was murdered about 10 o’clock last night in his private box at Ford’s Theater in this city, by an assassin who shot him through the head with a pistol ball.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Major-General John A. Dix, April 15, 1865 – 3 p.m. (“Official notice of the death of the late President Abraham Lincoln was given by the heads of Department this morning to Andrew Johnson”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/edwin-m-stanton-to-major-general-john_30.html

Edwin M. Stanton to Lafayette C. Baker, April 15, 1865 – 3:20 p.m. (“Come here immediately and see if you can find the murderers of the President.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/edwin-m-stanton-to-lafayette-c-baker.html

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Edward O. C. Ord, April 15, 4 p.m. (“Arrest J. A. Campbell, Mayor Mayo, and the members of the old council of Richmond, who have not yet taken the oath of allegiance, and put them in Libby Prison.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/lieutenant-general-ulysses-s-grant-to_29.html

Major-General Edward O. C. Ord to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, April 15, 1865 (“Lee and staff are in town among the paroled prisoners. Should I arrest them under the circumstances I think the rebellion here would be reopened.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/03/major-general-edward-o-c-ord-to.html

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Philip H. Sheridan, April 15, 1865 – 7 p.m. (“I want you to get your cavalry in readiness to push south”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/lieutenant-general-ulysses-s-grant-to_84.html

Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Edward O. C. Ord, April 15, 1865 — 8 p.m. (“On reflection I will withdraw my dispatch of this date directing the arrest of Campbell, Mayo, and others so far as it may be regarded as an order”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/03/lieutenant-general-ulysses-s-grant-to_77.html

Major-General William T. Sherman to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant & Edwin M. Stanton, April 15, 1865 (“I send copies of a correspondence begun with General Johnston, which, I think, will be followed by terms of capitulation.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_45.html

Major Charles Wright Wills: April 15, 1865 (“To-day makes four years soldiering for me. It is a terrible waste of time for me who have to make a start in life yet, and I expect unfits me for civil life.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-april-15.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: April 15, 1865 (“During the morning we hear heavy cannonading, said to be along the front of Jeff. C. Davis’ Fourteenth Corps.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/08/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-daniel-l_98.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Saturday, April 15, 1865 (“while we waited for the train saw a squad of 10 negro soldiers with arms come in who had deserted the Rebs & report none closer than 20 miles”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-2nd-lieutenant-john-s-morgan_12.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, April 15, 1865 (“News came from the front that Johnston had stopped fighting for the purpose of surrendering his army to General Sherman.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-5th-sergeant-alexander-g_52.html

Diary of Julia Ward Howe: Saturday April 15, 1865 (“This atrocious act, which was consummated in a very theatrical manner, is enough to ruin not the Booth family alone, but the theatrical profession.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/04/diary-of-julia-ward-howe-saturday-april.html

Noah L. Jeffries to David K. Cartter, April 15, 1865 (“Please give me by bearer a pertinent description of the assassins of the President and Secretary, that I may telegraph it to the Provost Marshals on the frontier.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/noah-l-jeffries-to-david-k-cartter.html

Pass of Corydon E. Fuller, April 15, 1865

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/pass-of-corydon-e-fuller-april-15-1865.html

Pass of Corydon E. Fuller, April 15, 1865

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/pass-of-corydon-e-fuller-april-15-1865_25.html

Diary of Malvina S. Waring, April 15, 1865 (“Then the man in gray lifted his bowed head slowly, and replied: ‘Lee has surrendered!’”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/10/diary-of-malvina-s-waring-april-15-1865.html

[smokingfrog]

How do you download this? Is there a PDF file you can download?

[Inyo-Mono]

Bookmark.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 9 (reply #24)

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4309654/posts#24

William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Sunday, April 16, 1865 (“President Johnson is not disposed to treat treason lightly, and the chief Rebels he would punish with exemplary severity.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/diary-of-gideon-welles-sunday-april-16.html

Senator James W. Grimes to Elizabeth Nealley Grimes, April 16, 1865 (“I am full of forebodings about Johnson. He is loyal enough, but he is a man of low instincts, vindictive, violent, and of bad habits.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/senator-james-w-grimes-to-elizabeth_12.html

Major-General George G. Meade’s General Orders No. 15, April 16, 1865 (Announcing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/major-general-george-g-meades-general.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 16, 1865 (“I cannot imagine the motives of the perpetrators of these foul deeds, or what they expect to gain. The whole affair is a mystery.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/major-general-george-g-meade-to_23.html

Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, April 16, 1865 (“My mountain expedition is given up. If I go at all from here, it will be directly up the valleys to occupy Staunton.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/05/brigadier-general-rutherford-b-hayes-to_44.html

Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, April 16, 1865 (“I felt a sinking of heart hardly equalled by that which oppressed us all when the defeat of our army at Manassas almost crushed the Nation.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/05/brigadier-general-rutherford-b-hayes-to_3.html

Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, Sunday, April 16, 1865 (“Mr. Lincoln’s fame is safe. He is the “Darling of History” evermore.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/05/brigadier-general-rutherford-b-hayes-to.html

Major Charles Wright Wills: April 16, 1865 (“Everybody thinks Johnston will accept and many are offering to bet their all that we will be mustered out by July 4th, 1865.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-april-16.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: April 16, 1865 (“Tonight, for the first time since we crossed the Ocmulgee river, November 19th, 1864, the Seventh Regiment is all together in camp.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/08/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-daniel-l_91.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Sunday, April 16, 1865 (“This P. M Genl Canby sends around a circular that he has official notice that Genl Lee has surrendered his entire army to Grant.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-john-s-morgan.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, April 16, 1865 (“All is quiet in the front and both armies are resting under a flag of truce.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-5th-sergeant-alexander-g_6.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: Sunday Night, April 16, 1865 (“General Lee has returned. He came unattended, save by his staff — came without notice, and without parade”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/05/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 12 (reply #50).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4309654/posts#50

Bruce Catton, Never Call Retreat

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 2 (reply #21).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4308140/posts#21

1

2

James Lee McDonough, William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country, A Life

[Homer_J_Simpson]

With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865, edited by Michael Burlingame

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Andrew Johnson’s Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States April 17, 1865

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/09/andrew-johnsons-address-upon-assuming.html

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, April 17, 1865 (“Secretary Seward and his son continue in a low condition, and Mr. Fred Seward’s life is precarious.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/diary-of-gideon-welles-monday-april-17.html

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, April 17, 1865 (“I keep finding myself boiling and fuming over the personal neglect of General Meade and the totally undeserved prominence given to Sheridan.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/05/lieutenant-colonel-theodore-lyman-to_23.html

Major Charles Wright Wills: April 17, 1865 (“The army is crazy for vengenance. If we make another campaign it will be an awful one.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/07/captain-charles-wright-wills-april-17.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: April 17, 1865 (“This morning Sherman’s great army bow their heads in mournful silence over the startling news of the assassination.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2024/08/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-daniel-l_57.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Monday, April 17, 1865 (“at 12. m. a salute of 200 guns fired by order of Genl Canby in honor of the surrender of Genls Lee to Grant & Genl Jonston to Sherman”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-john-s-morgan_15.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Monday, April 17, 1865 (“Charles Correll of our company was put under arrest for saying that the president should have been shot three years ago.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-5th-sergeant-alexander-g_28.html

John H. Reagan, April 17, 1865 (Confederate Postmaster-General Reagan’s document intended to suspend hostilities.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/john-h-reagan-april-17-1865_26.html

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 17, 1865 (“President Lincoln was killed by Booth (Jno. Wilkes), an actor. I suppose his purpose is to live in history as the slayer of a tyrant”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2025/03/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-17.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, April 18, 1865 (“Details in regard to the funeral, which takes place on the 19th, occupied general attention and little else than preliminary arrangements and conversation was done at the Cabinet-meeting.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2022/02/diary-of-gideon-welles-tuesday-april-18.html

Memorandum of Major-General William T. Sherman and General Joseph E Johnston, April 18, 1865

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/memorandum-of-major-general-william-t.html

Major-General William T. Sherman to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant and Major-General Henry W. Halleck, April 18, 1865 (“I inclose herewith a copy of an agreement made this day between General Joseph E. Johnston and myself, which, if approved by the President of the United States, will produce peace from the Potomac and the Rio Grande.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/01/major-general-william-t-sherman-to_26.html

Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 18, 1865 (“I have heard nothing from General Grant since he left here, and am in complete ignorance of what is going to be done with this army.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/major-general-george-g-meade-to_24.html

Major Charles Wright Wills: April 18, 1865 (“Sherman has gone out again to see Johnston. Johnston asked for another day in order to see Davis and get his permission to surrender the whole force in arms this side of the Mississippi.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/08/major-charles-wright-wills-april-18-1865.html

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, April 18, 1865 (“It is reported that a fort on the Tombigbee has surrendered to Smith on same conditions Grant gave Lee.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/02/diary-of-1st-lieutenant-john-s-morgan_16.html

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, April 18, 1865 (“General Sherman went out to the front on the cars, and the two generals agreed upon the terms for the surrender of Johnston’s army.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/02/diary-of-5th-sergeant-alexander-g_33.html

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: Tuesday Night, April 18, 1865 (“I try to dwell as little as possible on public events. I only feel that we have no country, no government, no future.”)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/05/diary-of-judith-brockenbrough-mcguire_1.html