Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-25

ffont As the sL6dss &c dir&usss began 20 cover
the old town. tho qu9rtsrmaster and ordnance
wagons moved towards the fiver and the infantry
began to passto the front. Those Of us. who iu-
tended leaving were assured that We could not re-
main till morning and We retired to our homes and
partook of our evening repast with feelings that
are not easily described. Loved ones separated
fathers embraced their children; husbands and
wives partcd--but must stop. The grief of such
partngs ia too sacred for the public eye. On hurry
soldiers. II took me three hours to cross the
bridge, Just one mile from my residence. On
crossing We repaired to the house of friend, and
sought atew hours repose. -
Saturday morning we returned to the river. -
Soldiers and citizens were hurrying across. The
enemy had entered the town, and been driven back
in confusion The cavalry on the outposts were
drawn in and line formed for the defence Of the
bridge The troops crossed ill., very orderly, quiet
manner Just before the last detachment OF cavalry
crossed the steamers and mats in tho river were
fred These we'll known iavOrites foated from their
moorings a. the flames shot up towards the heavens.
The enemy, in force, entered the town and CON-
menced firing upon the rear Of our retreating COL
umn. s.,,s.it -alf trti Ut taf sfeaf-
The confusion among the citizens was, OF course,
intense. In few mom1ls the streets were clear
ed aud the troops engaged In spirited light at long
range Just as Soon As the last detachment crossed
the bridge was fired. In few moments 1t was en-
yeloped Ia flames and fell with crash that reseni-
bed the roar of artillery. 32-pounder was posted
in front of the bridge, 10 command portion oil
Hay street. and all that portion Of IL which passes
through what Is called Campbellton.. The street
was in few moments crowded wuh mounted men.
the roar of the flames that were consuming the
BRIDGE boats and old warehouses, the exaltant
- no invaders. the screams OF excited f.:
Males the hallooing OF thoughtless boys, all broke
upon the stiffness OF q lovely morning. The enc
my rush in triumph towards the bridge, needless
of danger, when u solid shot, from S2-pOunder,
strikes the head Of their column, and passes
through IL. Them after q monlentafy pause, the
column closes, and ON they cone The next mo.
ment shell IL thrown into their midst the shell
e. podes there is confusion; another, and anoth'
err and the street is deserted. General Hampton
then discovered that they endeayoring to reach
"a radan TO the left OF the bridge. To do this they
had to pass over an open field. The guu was moved
to point which commanded thejtield, and few wei
directed shots completed the evacuation. Scarce.
~ man was cut of, aud no stores were lost.
T.. J. Hale, the veteran editor Of the O6sercer,
had just finished working off the usual issue OF his
paper on Thursday. Having a good supply Of pa
per ON hand, he put his press to work On Friday
and supplied the troops with the Observer gratis.
A large number OF the citizens eit-among then
Mcssrs. Hale d Son, McDuffe, McSwain, naigh
Randall, Mcdaniel, Col. Cook, s. Johnson, har
as; NJ. sc@! :!!l end others.
Inc citizens, up to the night of the evacuation
continued to receive Confederate money. The la
dies were as indefatgable as ever in administering
to the wants OF the soldiers. They have the prone
satisfaction of knowing that the troops will never
forget them. They are noble people. ~ h
ae rt REFUGEE.