The Black Republican., 1865-04-15

late and interesting teleg1pphic reports.
The Evacuation of Petersburg-B Burning
ofTobacco, Depots and Bridges.
PETERSBURG, Va. April 3.-The Army of
| the Potomac has been in front of Peters
| burg this morning, merely making a flying
| visit.
The enemy commenced evacuating last
| night at 10 o'clock, and by 3 o'clock this
morning were across the river, having
| burned about a million dollars worth of to
bacco, the Southside Railroad depot and the
bridges across the AppOmatox.
Our troops charged in the inner line of
works at daylight, taking picket line of
some 500 men prisoners. The troops on en-
tering the city behaved most admirably, not
more than half dozen stores being entered
by them, and these mostly containing to-
bacco, cigars, liquor, etc. The provost
guard soon arrived and established order.
The Mayor of the city met the troops as
they entered and handed to the officer COM
manding the following communication offer
ing the surrender Of the city.
The city presents very cleanly and re-
spectacle appearance. Many houses in the
lower part have been badly injured by shot
and shell thrown from our batteries last
summer, and since that time most Of the
houses in that part have been vacated.
The Mayors Letter to Gen. Grant.
Lieut. Gen u s Grant commanding the armies Of
ing the United States forces in front of Peters
burg:
General-The city Of Petersburg having
been evacuated by the Confederate States
troops, We Committe authorized by the
Common Council, do hereby surrender this
city to the United States forces, with re-
quest for the protection Of the persons and
property Of its inhabitants.
We are, respectfully, your obedient SER
wants, n. W. Towers, Mayor.
D. A. POWELL, Committee.
The protection was promised on the part
of the troops, and the citizens have no cause
Of complaint, for certainly there is no in
stance on record where an army, after lying
so long in front Of a place of so much i'm
portance and losing as many men in the eff
forts to capture it, entered a city with less
disorder and doing less damage to property,
than in this case.
Order and Content i'm the City.
The citizens did not show themselves
during the fore part of the day, but after
| discovering that our soldiers were orderly
and well disposed, with no disposition to
disturb or annoy any one, they began to
make their appearance at the doors and
windows of their houses, and late in the day
even many expressing their joy quietly that
the Confederate army had gone, and hoping
that the war would soon be over.
For more than six months past the rebel
ever before. only just enough being brought
to last from day to day. The citizens suf
tered much, but it is well to take such
stories with q good deal of allowance. The
rebels managed to get away with all their
artillery, excepting one or two old colum-
biads, few heavy mortars, which they
could not transport readily. A large num-
Der Of men deserted and hid in town until
our troops entered, when they made their
appearance and were taken in custody.
A New Paper-"Grant's Petersburg Pro-
gress" in Petersburg.
WASHINGTON, April 5, $40 P. M.-The first
number Of a newspaper, about II by 20 in
ches, printed on one side only, has been
started in Petersburg, called Grants Pc
tersburg Progress" Its motto is, Eternal
vigilance is the price of Liberty Mon
days issue has the following items
Among the distinguished citizens we saw
on the street this morning were Gen. Prior,
Confederate paroled prisoner, and W. I.
Jones' Judge of the District Court in this
District.
On Saturday last, -four in Petersburg sold
at the moderate price of Sll00 per barrel.
Sugar and bacon were equally reasonable, a
double saw-buck Confederate blue-back
being the cost of pound of each.
All the bridges about Petersburg, some five
or six in number, were destroyed by the
rebels last night on their departure.
The 1st Michigan sharpshooters have the
credit of being the first to enter the city,
and floating their flag from the dome of the
Courthouse. Other flags, belonging to the
different regiments, were not long behind
hand in getting themselves posted on the
tops of all the buildings of public char
acter III the city.
Interesting Details.
NEwsYoRK, April 5.-The Herald's Army
Of the Potomac special says the glory of the
first entrance into the works in front Of Pc
tersburg is disputed between the 9th Mich
igan volunteers and the lst Connecticut
heavy artillery : the former had their coloTs
with them, which was first set on the para
pet, ana hence they have proof of priority.
The lst Michigan sharpshooters, leading the
sklrnllshers and pressing hard upon the rear
u the rebel forces, was the first to retire.
The Herald's special from Petersburg SAYS
mat at the commencement Of Gen. Grants
operations on this line five days ago, the
ieoeIs had force at their command defend
nag ldg + etersburg vaTiously estimated at from
ooiuoV TO $4,000 men. The defense of Peters
eln ee4nIe was The defense of Richmond: if one
leIl lHe cJher was certain to fall, hence
eneIy eNy available man was brought to con-
vi the army of veteran troons not less
IMAM Z5,pG0 have fallen into our hands ne