Visiting Dr. Mudd
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Contemplating the role of Dr. Samuel Mudd in the Lincoln assassination, while surrounded by his and his family's possessions.
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The Conspirators' Trial Began May 9, 1865
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The courtroom where Mary Surratt and 7 others were tried--then and now.
Read MoreSurrender in April 1865
/On April 7, Grant telegraphed Lee:
"General R.E. Lee, Commanding C.S.A.: 5 P.M., April 7th, 1865. The results of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia. U.S. Grant, Lieutenant-General"
Two days later, Appomattox.
Julia Wilbur wrote in her diary on April 9 (a Sunday):
Another memorable day! Less has surrendered the army of Northern Va. to Gen. Grant. The news came to W. [Washington] this evening.
The next day:
At an early hour we were awakened by the report of a heavy gun & this was following by 199 others. We could only guess what the matter was, but as soon as possible sent out and learned that Lee has surrendered with the whole army of N. Va.--The paper soon came & we read, Peace!!
The Capitol Dome
/When Julia Wilbur first came to Washington in late 1862, a dome to accommodate the expanded Capitol was under construction.
Read MoreDiscovering Alexandria
/WETA, the local PBS station, broadcast Discovering Alexandria, its 90-minute (that is, 2 hours, with breaks for pledges) documentary on the history of Alexandria, VA, from its early years through the end of the 1800s.
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