When someone thinks of famous or important battles from the American Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg instantly springs to mind. The Civil War was fought between the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South). The strife arose from the debate over slavery, but in reality it had more to do with economics and geography. Cotton grew in abundance in the South, but not at all in the North. Much of the conflict arose from the fact that plantation owners were reaping huge profits by using free labor.

On this day, April 3, in 1865, Richmond, Virginia, the Capital of the Confederate States of America, was captured by the Union forces. This battle essentially marked the end of the Civil War. For anyone who understands strategy, gaining control of a government’s capital is the equivalent of cutting off an animal’s head. The North essentially subdued its prey.

Richmond was a central hub for the railroad, for military hospitals, and for prisoners of war. It was economically important to the Confederacy because of its diverse economic provisions, and it meant safety to many Confederates because of the jobs and military protection it offered. Capturing Richmond was the beginning of the end for one of the bloodiest wars in United States history.