May 4, 1865

Richard Taylor (general)

Richard Taylor surrenders his Confederate department to Edward Canby

The Union order recording the surrender told federal troops to stop fighting Taylor's compliant soldiers — and to keep fighting only marauders.

Citronelle, seven in the evening

At Citronelle, Alabama, on 4 May 1865, Confederate Lieutenant General Richard Taylor surrendered the forces of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana to Union Major General Edward R. S. Canby.

A Union order recorded the surrender at seven that evening and directed United States forces to cease hostilities against Confederates who complied with its terms, while continuing operations against marauders.

Appomattox terms, applied again

The terms substantially followed those granted to Robert E. Lee. Parolees could return home, officers kept their sidearms and baggage, officers and men could keep their horses, and the United States supplied transportation and rations.

How many men that covered is unsettled: a United States Army history estimates roughly 12,000, a National Archives account about 10,000, and one Park Service timeline 40,000. The lower estimates are the better contextualised ones.

Within five days Nathan Bedford Forrest, whose cavalry fell inside Taylor's geographic command, issued a farewell address and surrendered his corps.

Not the last surrender of the war

Taylor's capitulation eliminated the last major organised Confederate command east of the Mississippi River. It did not end Confederate resistance west of the river.

Edmund Kirby Smith's Trans-Mississippi department surrendered on 26 May, and Stand Watie surrendered his command on 23 June.

Taylor's own postwar memoir dated his action at Citronelle to 8 May; contemporary official correspondence establishes 4 May.

Sources

Researched 24 Aug 2026 5 sources not yet audited

How this was checked

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What the sources leave uncertain

Published troop totals vary substantially. A U.S. Army history estimates roughly 12,000 and a National Archives account says around 10,000, while one NPS timeline gives 40,000. The lower estimates are better contextualized and should be preferred.
Taylor's postwar memoir mistakenly dated his action at Citronelle to May 8; contemporary official correspondence establishes May 4.