A Soldier’s Letter from April 1865: A Firsthand Glimpse into the Final Days of the Civil War
April stands as one of the most significant months in Civil War history.
From the first shots fired at Fort Sumter in April 1861 to the bloody Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, and finally the surrender at Appomattox and President Lincoln’s assassination in April 1865, this month holds the milestones that shaped America’s greatest internal conflict.
As April closes out, it’s fitting to share a rare, firsthand look at the end of the war through the eyes of a Union soldier.
This letter, dated April 16, 1865, was found in a Civil War pension file and written by Charles Sparks, who was stationed in Mobile, Alabama, just one week after General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox and one day after President Lincoln’s death.
A Letter from Mobile, Alabama: April 16, 1865
In his letter to his cousin, Charles Sparks shares raw and personal observations about the atmosphere in Mobile after Union forces captured the city. Interestingly, despite writing the day after Lincoln's assassination, Charles makes no mention of it—a clear sign that news traveled slowly even in such pivotal times.
Here’s a powerful excerpt from his letter:
"The people are all very anxious here to take the oath. There is a crowd every day, ready and anxious to become Americans again. I hope all the rumors are true that we hear, about Davis and Lee. If they are, the war is near its end. That is so ___ but they are too good to be true, I am afraid. We will hope for the best. If they want us to fight more, we are ready to fight..."
Charles also recounts his experience fighting in the Battle of Blakeley, known as the final major battle of the Civil War. He describes the fierce combat, close calls with Confederate artillery, and the treacherous conditions of charging over logs, brush, and hidden torpedoes (landmines).
The full letter reveals even more:
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The Condition of Mobile: A "nice but a little dirty" city, with frightened citizens slowly emerging after Union occupation.
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Victory and Capture: At Spanish Fort, Blakeley, and Mobile, Union forces captured near 200 guns and 5,000 small arms.
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A Soldier’s Resilience: Despite a shell nearly burying him in the rifle pits, Sparks remained unscathed and ready to continue the fight if needed.
The Battle of Blakeley and the Fall of Mobile
The Battle of Blakeley, fought on April 9, 1865, coincided with Lee's surrender at Appomattox. However, official confirmation apparently had not yet reached the troops fighting in Alabama. Mobile, one of the last major Confederate ports, fell to Union forces just days later, on April 12, 1865.
Sparks and his fellow soldiers served as part of the Provost Guard, helping maintain order during the city's transition back into Union hands.
A Glimpse into the Uncertainty at War’s End
Charles’s cautious hopefulness reflects the uncertainty that still loomed even after Lee’s surrender. Was the war truly over? Could the Confederacy still fight on elsewhere?
For soldiers stationed in the deep South, where news traveled slowly, the answers weren’t immediately clear.
The fact that Sparks didn’t know about Lincoln's assassination by the time he wrote his letter shows just how isolated soldiers could be, even during pivotal moments in American history.
Why These Personal Accounts Matter
Letters like Charles Sparks’s offer invaluable insight into Civil War history beyond the battlefields and famous speeches. They reveal the everyday thoughts, fears, and hopes of the men who lived through those turbulent times.
As we remember the major events of April 1865, it's letters like these that bring the end of the Civil War vividly to life.
Discover Your Civil War Ancestor's Story
Just like Charles Sparks, thousands of Civil War soldiers left behind letters, pension files, and military records that tell incredible personal stories.
If you want to uncover your own ancestor’s Civil War service, Civil War Records can help!
Our expert team is at the National Archives every week, retrieving pension files, service records, and more—saving you the time and hassle.
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Read the full transcript of Charles Spark’s letter below.
Mobile, Alabama April 16th, 65
Dear cousin,
I received yours of March 1st a few days ago. It had been to the army of the Potomac to the 20th Ind. and was broke open. That was one reason why I did not get it sooner, and I began to think that you did not intend to write to me.
As to the war news, you perhaps know as much as I do. I was in the fight at Blakely. We captured 2,500 prisoners. It will be useless for me to go into detail, for you will get it more correct in the papers than I could give it to you.
We are camped in the city of Mobile doing Provost duty. How long we will remain here is more than I know. Mobile is a very nice but a little dirty, and looked a little desolate when we first came in here, for the citizens was scared nearly to death, and they kept themselves very close for fear we would eat them, but we have been here three days and they begin to show themselves well.
I am come through the fight without getting a scratch of any kind but I tell you they gave me a close call. The evening before the fight I was on picket when they commenced shelling us. I was in the rifle pits and one shell struck the bank of the pit and pretty near buried me, the ball passing within a foot of my head. It made my head pain me all day and we charged the Rebel works over logs, brush, and almost everything else you could think of. They were stretched round, and torpedoes, for all that was out.
The people are very anxious here to take the oath. There is a crowd every day ready and anxious to become Americans again. I hope all the rumors are true that we hear about Davis and Lee. If they are, the war is near its end. That is so ___ but they are too good to be true, I am afraid. We will hope for the best. If they want to fight more we are ready to fight them.
At Fort Spanish, Blakely, and this place and vicinity we captured near 200 guns and 5000 stand small arms.
I have not much to write this time. The weather is getting pretty warm. All garden produce is plenty enough to use, some corn, knee high potatoes large enough to use. I will close hoping to hear from you soon.
Good Bye
As ever your
C. Sparks