The fall of Richmond, Virginia on the night of April 2, 1865. The capital city of the Confederacy was evacuated by the Rebels in consequence of the defeat at "Five Forks" of the Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee and capture of the south side railroad by General Ulysses S. Grant. Before abandoning the city the Rebels set to it destroying vast amounts of property in their desire to leave nothing for the Union Army. Color lithograph by Currier & Ives.