The End of the American Civil War:
What Year Did it Trully End?

The American Civil War was one of the most fateful and costly conflicts in the history of the United States. This conflict divided the nation, resulting in a four-year war between the North and the South. Though the war officially began in 1861, historians have argued over when the war ended, with some positing 1865 and others arguing it didn’t actually end until 1877.

The Events of 1861-1865

The American Civil War began in 1861 when Confederate soldiers attacked Union controlled Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This battle marked the beginning of almost four years of bloody skirmishes, battles, and massacres across the country. By 1864, the tide of the war had begun to turn in favor of the Union Army and they began taking back territory formerly held by the Confederates. In 1865, the Union Army captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis, signaling the ultimate end to the Confederate cause and the Southern armies.

The Signing of the Treaty of Appomattox

The official, widely accepted end of the war is April 9, 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee signed the Treaty of Appomattox with Union General Ulysses S. Grant. This treaty stipulated that all soldiers in the Confederate army were to be paroled and return to their homes. The terms of the treaty were accepted nationwide and recognized by both the Union and the States of the Confederacy.

The Last Standing Confederate Troop

Despite the Treaty of Appomattox, not all Confederate troops officially surrendered. A group of Confederate cavalry, led by Colonel John S. Mosby, continued to fight against the Union Army and refused to sign the treaty. These soldiers, called Mosby’s Rangers, continued their resistance until May, 1866. In total, Mosby’s Rangers resisted the Union Army for an additional thirteen months after the signing of the treaty.

The Aftermath of the Civil War

Though the war itself may have officially ended in 1865, the outcomes of the conflict were felt for many decades after the signing of the treaty. Reconstruction lasted from the 1865 until 1877 and involved extensive governmental policies enacted with the goal of establishing equality for freed slaves. During this period, resources and finances for the South were limited, leaving their economy in a weakened state.

Conclusion

The American Civil War was one of the nation’s most formative and devastating conflicts. Though the war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Appomattox on April 9, 1865, the effects of this conflict were felt for many years afterward. For this reason, it is often argued that the Civil War didn’t truly end until 1877 with the successful completion of Reconstruction.