Read by Joe Barrett

Noted Civil War historian Richard Wheeler brings this narrative to life with haunting images of the final days of the Civil War: President Lincoln walking through the streets of Richmond, drawing an admiring crowd of blacks; Confederate and Union troops gathering in the fields around Appomattox Court House, mingling with former foes, experiencing disbelief, bitterness, relief. Drawing from numerous eyewitness descriptions, Wheeler effectively recreates a moment of the Civil War that is perhaps unequalled in sheer emotion. This account is as much a tribute to Confederate courage as it is a record of the final triumph of the Union cause. Title Info. Dedication. Preface Chapter 1. Events Foretell an Ending Chapter 2. Conditions in Richmond Chapter 3. A Winter Maneuver Chapter 4. Stirrings as Spring Approaches Chapter 5. Lee Fails at Fort Stedman Chapter 6. The Hand of Lincoln Chapter 7. Grant Prevails at Five Forks Chapter 8. The Storming of Petersburg Chapter 9. Civilians in Terror Chapter 10. Richmond Falls to the Yankees Chapter 11. Of Spreading Flames and Tumul Chapter 12. Lincoln Visits Petersburg Chapter 13. The President in Richmond Chapter 14. Lee Moves Westward Chapter 15. Of Flight and Pursuit Chapter 16. Sheridan Takes the Lead Chapter 17. Skirmishes on the Run Chapter 18. The Battle of Sayler's Creek Chapter 19. Sayler's Creek Continued Chapter 20. High Bridge and Farmville Chapter 21. Letters across the Lines Chapter 22. Lee's March Interrupted Chapter 23. Last Throes of a Proud Army Chapter 24. 24. The Surrender Epilogue "Goes below the surface facts…to get at the stories of the lives and deaths, the struggles, triumphs, sorrows, and joys of real people." "Wheeler links together the words of participants and eyewitnesses in a moving chronological narrative…Wheeler does not confine himself to military operations but provides a rich continuum of anecdotes conveying the growing sense of victory or defeat on the part of soldiers and civilians, along with homely details of daily life as the war winds down." "Highly readable." "Reads like a gripping novel." "A vivid chronicle of the final weeks of the Civil War…Incidents and personalities come alive in memorable vignettes, making for exciting reading for Civil War enthusiasts."

Mode of access: World Wide Web