Hampton Roads Peace Conference

Wars and Battles, February 1865

Francis P. Blair, one of Lincoln’s advisors, helped to arrange a peace conference in early 1865. Representing the Confederacy were Robert M.T. Hunter, John A. Campbell and Vice President Alexander H. Stephens. President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William H. Seward represented the United States. The meeting was held aboard the River Queen, a Union transport ship anchored off Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Lincoln’s position was clear from the beginning. He required the following:

• An immediate end to the fighting and the disbandment of Confederate forces
• Southern recognition of the emancipation of the slaves
• Dissolution of the Confederacy and return to the Union by all seceded states.

The Southern delegates were prepared to discuss only the recognition of an independent Confederate States of America by the United States. They felt that Lincoln’s proposals were humiliating and the conference broke up after four hours.