Francis P. Blair • Attempted a last ditch effort at peace

The Death Grip

– Went to Richmond unofficially but w/ Lincoln’s consent – Persuaded Davis to appt. commissioners to confer w/ representatives of the Union • Resulting in the Hampton Roads Conference

Chapter 20

• Believed the N. and S. should join forces to expel Maximilian and the French from Mexico

– Felt the shared experience would bring the two sides back together

Hampton Roads Conference Feb. 3, 1865

• Lincoln and Seward secretly met w/ a peace delegation from the CSA.

• Conference accomplished little. – Lincoln insisted upon Union but might have compromised on emancipation. • Considered gradual emancipation • Considered compensated for emancipation – The S. insisted upon independence. – W/ Lincoln never making concessions when he appeared to be losing, he was not going to now that the N. was clearly winning.

Wilmington, NC

Robert E. Lee • Became the commander in chief of the CSA armies

– W/ the CSA Congress unhappy w/ Davis’ handling of the war – Did not substantially change the war effort • Unable to do anything beyond Virginia • Not willing to do anything beyond Virginia if he had been able.

• Hoped to launch a break out from his position – Leaving only a small force to guard Richmond – Moving S. to meet up w/ Johnston • Uniting to defeat Sherman and then turning N. to defeat Grant

Carolinas Campaign Feb. 1-April 26, 1865

• Last remaining port on the Atlantic • Benjamin F. Butler – Commanded the Army of the James – Ordered to seize Wilmington

– W/drew as reinforcements approached – Relieved of command • B/c Grant was furious! • Spent the rest of the war “awaiting orders”

• Final campaign of the W. Theater • Sherman’s advance N. – W/ intent of linking up w/ Union forces in Virginia

• P.G.T. Beauregard – Sent to organize whatever resistance he could to stop Sherman

1

Columbia, SC Feb. 17, 1865

• Capital of SC • First target of Sherman’s advance – Which the Union forces relished! • SC was the heart of the rebellion. – If they had made “Georgia howl,” they planned to make SC “scream”!

• Surrendered by the mayor – Over the objections of the governor – Left buckets of corn mash in the streets • Hoping to placate the invaders

North Carolina • Vindictiveness

of Sherman’s march eased upon entering NC. – Had been reluctant to secede

Columbia, SC • Destroyed by fire after the city surrendered

– Set by CSA forces torching bales of cotton in the streets – Set by Union forces destroying military facilities – Got out of control during the night b/c of high winds

“The Peacemakers” • Grant, Sherman, and Lincoln met to discuss the final strategy for the war.

– Grant would maneuver Lee out is his lines and chase him to the S.W. – Sherman would destroy Johnston’s army and move N. • Trapping Lee btw. the two

• Lincoln hoped there could be as

• Joseph E. Johnston – Replaced Beauregard in organizing resistance to Sherman

little bloodshed as possible.

– Any terms the CSA generals offered should be accepted as long as the killing stopped. – It was time to start the healing. – The same themes he had recently voiced in his 2nd Inaugural Address.

2

. . . Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray— that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. . . . With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations. Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address March 4, 1865

3