Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
February 23, 1865 – Minnesota became the 15th state to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution permanently abolishing slavery. On February 1, the
February 22, 1865 – Major General John Schofield’s new Federal army captured a once-vital Confederate port city on the North Carolina coast. Schofield’s Federals moved
February 20, 1865 – The Confederate House of Representatives approved a measure allowing for the recruitment of slaves into the military. The “Negro Soldier Law”
February 19, 1865 – The Confederate garrison guarding Wilmington, North Carolina, became one of many to fall to overwhelming Federal numbers this month. As February
February 18, 1865 – City officials surrendered Charleston, South Carolina, to Federal forces this morning. Charleston was the Confederacy’s prized port city, having defied a
February 17, 1865 – Major General William T. Sherman’s Federals captured the South Carolina capital of Columbia. On the morning of the 17th, elements of