The American Civil War effectively ended in 1865. The key date marking the beginning of the end was April 9, 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House
. Following this, other Confederate forces surrendered over the next few months, with the last large Confederate army surrendering on June 2, 1865
. The final battle occurred on May 13, 1865, at Palmito Ranch, Texas
. Legally, however, the war was not declared officially over until August 20, 1866, when President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation declaring the insurrection ended and peace restored throughout the United States
. This date is recognized by courts and Congress as the formal end of the Civil War. In summary:
- Effective military end: April to June 1865, with Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865, as the pivotal moment
- Last battle: May 13, 1865
- Formal legal end: August 20, 1866
