In 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered, ending the Civil War. Lee was facing certain defeat with supplies running low and desertions rampant. By the time he surrendered his 28-thousand troops, Union soldiers led by Ulysses S. Grant had the confederates surrounded.
In 1942 the largest contingency of U.S. soldiers ever to surrender are taken captive by the Japanese. About 66-thousand Americans and 12-thousand Filipinos became prisoners of war. They were led on a 55-mile walk that would become known as the Bataan Death March. Thousands died of starvation, illness or at the hands of their captors.
In 1881 famed outlaw Billy the Kid was convicted of murder for the killing of a New Mexico sheriff. The trial lasted one day and Kid was sentenced to hang. Kid managed to escape, but was shot dead by Sheriff Pat Garrett a short time later.
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