| Battle of Appomattox Court House |
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| Summary of the Battle of Appomattox Court House
Short Summary: The Battle of Appomattox Court House was fought on April 9, 1865 by the by the Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee. This famous Civil War battle was fought between 100,000 Union soldiers and 28,000 starving and exhausted Confederate troops. The Battle of Appomattox Court House was one of the last battles of the Civil War and resulted in the surrender the Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to the Union Army under the command of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. For additional facts refer to the Surrender of Appomattox. Surrender and Battle of Appomattox Court House
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th American President who served in office from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865. One of the key events during the Civil War was the Battle of Appomattox Court House and the Surrender of General Robert E. Lee. |
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| Battle of Appomattox Court House
Prior to the Battle of Appomattox Court House General Robert E. Lee had withdrawn from his entrenchments at the nine month Siege of Petersburg. On April 1, 1865 the cavalry and an infantry corps of Union General Philip Sheridan seized Five Forks in the rear of Petersburg. In the Battle of Five Forks another 8,500 Confederate soldiers died. The loss at the Battle of Five Forks triggered General Robert E. Lee's decision to abandon his entrenchments around Petersburg. Battle of Appomattox Court House Map
The Battle of Appomattox Court House Map shows the position of the battle and the armies in relation to Petersburg and Richmond. Battle of Appomattox Court House
The soldiers of the Confederate army were starving and the defeated men were constantly deserting to go to the aid of their desperate families. With the fall of Petersburg the Confederacy capital of Richmond was finally abandoned. | Battle of Appomattox Court House Map | 
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Battle of Appomattox Court House
From Petersburg the weary Confederate soldiers had fought battles at Sutherland's Station, Namozine Church, Amelia Springs, Rice's Station, Sayler's Creek, High Bridge, and Cumberland Church and Appomattox Station. The remaining Army of Virginia had attempted to retreat to the west and escape to the mountains and dense forest areas. General Lee's first goal was to reassemble his troops and supply his soldiers at Amelia Courthouse. The expected supplies at Amelia Courthouse were not to be found - they had been taken by the Union troops. The next objective was to link up with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army of Tennessee, but their way was blocked. General Grant had pursued the Confederates, pressing General Lee's flank and rear. General Philip Sheridan cut off further retreat at the village of Appomattox Court House. The Confederate army were cut of from supplies and his exhausted, sick and starving soldiers became trapped by massive numbers of Union soldiers who totaled over 100,000. General Lee's Army of Virginia had been reduced to 28,000, they were outnumbered 4 to 1. Battle of Appomattox Court House
On April 6, 1865 General Philip Sheridan placed his men across the Confederate's path and the opposing forces faced each other at the Battle of Appomattox Court House. Confederate General John B. Gordon attacked General Philip Sheridan's cavalry and quickly forced back the first line. The Confederate line collapsed and the Confederacy saw the sheer numbers of Union soldiers preparing to do battle. There was nothing left but for General Robert E. Lee to surrender. He finally stated the inevitable to his officers "... there is nothing left me but to go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths..." For the sad conclusion to the Battle of Appomattox Court House refer to the Surrender of Appomattox. |
Facts about the Battle of Appomattox Court House
The following short fact sheet provides interesting facts and information about the Battle of Appomattox Court House, one of the major battles that was fought during the American Civil War (April 12, 1861 and continued until May 10, 1865). Battle of Appomattox Court House: FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions for kids) | | Facts for Kids | Questions and Answers | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 1 | Q. Was there a Court House at Appomattox?
A. Yes! The village of Appomattox Court House was originally called "Clover Hill" and in 1845 was chosen as the new county seat of Appomattox and the original Court House was built in the same year. The village was to be the site of a new courthouse, a jail and other official buildings. But the ambitious plans for the village came to nothing - the railroad stopped three miles away and then the Civil War erupted. | | | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 2 | Q. When was the Battle of Appomattox Court House fought?
The Battle of Appomattox Court House was fought on April 9, 1865 | | | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 3 | Q. Who won the Battle of Appomattox Court House?
A. The Battle of Appomattox Court House was a decisive victory for the Union. | | | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 4 | Q. Who were the generals and leaders?
A. The Confederate general was General Robert E. Lee. The Union General at the Battle of Appomattox Court House was General Ulysses S. Grant | | | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 5 | Q. How many men fought in the Battle of Appomattox Court House?
A. The strength of the Union force was 100,000. The number of Confederate soldiers totaled 28,000 | | | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 6 | Q. How many casualties were there at the Battle of Appomattox Court House?
A. The total number of Union losses were 164. The Confederate losses totaled 500. Further casualties and deaths were avoided when the 27,805 remaining Confederate soldiers were forced to surrender at the Battle of Appomattox Court House and accept their parole. | | | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 7 | Q. Was the Battle of Appomattox Court House the last conflict of the Civil War?
A. No. There were several more small skirmishes battles after the surrender, with the Battle of Palmito Ranch generally regarded as the final military action. | | | | Battle of Appomattox Court House Fact 8 | Q. Why was the Battle of Appomattox Court House important?
A. The Battle of Appomattox Court House was significant because it was the last major conflict of the Civil War and the surrender of Robert E. Lee dealt a death blow to the remaining Confederate troops. It was the start of the end of the Civil War. | Battle of Appomattox Court House: FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions for kids) |
Battle of Appomattox Court House - President Abraham Lincoln Video
The article on the Battle of Appomattox Court House provides an overview of one of the major issues of his presidential term in office. The following Abraham Lincoln video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 16th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865. | | |
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