Richmond, Virginia served as the capital of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. The Confederate States seceded from the United States in order to preserve the institution of slavery. As the Confederate capital, Richmond was the center of political power and was also an important manufacturing hub, producing weapons and supplies for the Confederate Army. Several key battles were fought both within and outside the city as the Union forces sought to capture Richmond and end the Civil War.

1. Richmond, Virginia.
Did you know that Richmond,
Virginia the current capital of
the state of Virginia, used to
be the Capital of the
Confederate States of
America.
What was the Confederate States of
America?

2. The Confederate States of America, also known as
the Confederacy were a group of southern states
who seceded or broke away from the United States
of America in 1860. From 1860-1865 they fought
against the Union, the northern states in what was
to be the Civil War. The Confederate States wanted
to continue the practice of slavery.
Confederate States of America

4. Richmond, Virginia was the center of political
power for the Confederacy. This photo is of the
“Confederate White House.”

5. Richmond, Virginia was also important for munitions factories like the Tredegar Iron
Works above. In this factory they created cannons, rifles, and bullets for the Confederate
Army. Now it’s a museum where I interned for one semester during University.

6. Since Richmond, Virginia was the capital, there were many battles in and around
the city of Richmond. In 1862, the Confederate soldiers defeated the Union
soldiers outside of Richmond which became known as the Seven Day’s Battles.
The Confederate victory led to three more years of Civil War.

7. In 1864 General Grant and the Union Army defeated the
Confederates led by Robert E. Lee outside of Richmond during the
Overland Campaign. This was due to the greater number of
soldiers of the Union Army. This defeat eventually led to the
capture of Richmond Virginia in April 1865.

8. This is a painting of the burning of Richmond, Virginia in April
1865. The majority of the city of Richmond Virginia was destroyed
by the Union army. This marked the end of the Civil War and the
United States became one nation again.

9. People still remember the role Richmond, Virginia played during the
Civil War. This is represented through monuments like the one above of
General Robert E. Lee. Also represented through the people who
remember their ancestors who fought for the Confederacy. Some of the
flags above are Confederate Battle flags used by the Army of Virginia
during the Civil War.

10. People still remember the role Richmond, Virginia played during the
Civil War. This is represented through monuments like the one above of
General Robert E. Lee. Also represented through the people who
remember their ancestors who fought for the Confederacy. Some of the
flags above are Confederate Battle flags used by the Army of Virginia
during the Civil War.