Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-05-16
LIFE IK RICHMO IND.
Particulars Of the Recent Bread
Riots.

A lady of foreign birth, who has resided
in Richmond for several years, has Just ar
rived in Washington. Her statements, which
the Republican pronounces perfectly trust
worthy, are very interesting. She says there
is decided Union sentiment in the rebel
capitol, and this sentiment is spreading in
spite of the pressure against it. Outward
demonstrations are prevented, but there is
a large community who know each other,
and whose feelings for the Union cannot be
crushed out.
Provisions are so scarce in Virginia, ac-
cording to her Statements, that the enemy
will be compelled to capture some of our
stores to sustain themselves. She predicts
that as soon as the roads are in good condi-
tion rebel raids will be the order of the day
The bread riot in Richmond was more
serious affair than we have been led to sup
pose by any accounts that have hitherto
reached U.S. Several hundred females, led
by woman of determined character, as
sembled, and, after arming themselves with
hatchets, divided themselves into three par
ties and marched through the three princi-
pal streets, which run parallel through the
city. While on their way they halted at the
principal stores and seized whatever pro-
visions and groceries they could find. Teams
passing through the streets were impressed
and the articles were sent, as fast as captur-
ed, under the care Of persons detailed for
that duty, to the quarters inhabited by the
poor people and distributed. After passing
these streets the whole body concentrated
in quarter occupied chiefly by Jew specu-
lators and traders, and proceeded to open
retail establishments and themselves. The
The plundering had by this time become
20 ich
tionaries were vainly endeayoring to qucll the
riot.
General Winder intcrposcd without effect
Governor Letcher attempted to harangue
the crowd, but they would not listen. Final
ly jeff. Davis himself came to the rescue in
a barouche, but even the conspirator- chief
could make no impression for some time
He made several attempts to speak, but his
voice was drowned in the cries of the excited
mob.
At length the police succeeded in arrest
ing few of the ringlcaders and locking
them up in the central guard-house, after
which silence was so far restored that JEFF.
Davis was able to make himself heard. He
promised them relief, and the Confederate
Treasurer appearing at the same timo, dis
tributed Confederate scrip to rioters, the
excitement abated and the crowd dispers-
ed.
They reassemblcd subsequently, however,
fin front of the guardhouse, and demanded
the release of those who had been arrested
who was to be tried for rioting. General
Winder, military governor, sent secret orders
for their release, alleging that the Virginia
troops would lay down their arms if the eX-
citement among their families at home was
not allayed.
Since that time the government has issued
to the poor of the city small rations, but
this cannot last long, for the army is on short
rations, and the government supplies are
failing even at that.
1t should have been stated that the wo-
men, before commencing their raid, reported
to the Governors mansion and asked for
food. He replied that it was our Of his
power to afford them relief, as the govern
ment demanded all the provisions it was
possible to get for the army.
There are deep muttering among the peo-
pie already, and symptoms of uncomfortable
disaffection are plainly exhibited \ few
are making immense fortunes out of this war
but the many suffer severe privations which
they cannot enoure much longer. Some
boldly declare, in moments of excitement,
that it is in vain TO contend longer with the
Yankees, for they must be Beaten at last
During the bread riot an individual noted
for his eccentricities was in the crowd shout
ing, "It's of no use We might as well give
it up. We are whipped &c.
1t was noticed, at the time Of this grand
cmeute, that the most potent influence in
quelling the mob was the free distribution
of money to thepeople, and it was the gene
raj opinion that blood would have flowed
freely if this remedy had not been applied,