Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-04-14

his lines were broken in three places, and that
Richmond must be evacuated. IL was as If a
hand had written once more, ''Mene, meme, te-
kel''-thou art weighed and found wanting;
thy kingdom is defeated
He turned pale. but taking his hat be hur-
riedly LEFT the church The hour of twelve
came The people as they passed the capitol on
their way home from church, saw men hurried
" hsingiug out the State papers and piling them
on the ground aud setting them on fire. 1t was
the first intimation they had that the city was
20 be evacuated.
There was c0mmotion everywhere-amOng the
officials, among the soldiers, among the citizens,
and among the women; trunks we're packed in
haste; carpet bags we're stuffed in a moment
There was a stampede for the Danville depot
JET Davis went in the first train, leaving his
housekeeper in charge of the house, important
papers il his private room upon the table. Such
hurry and confusion never was seen in Richmond
before Carriages were driven furously to the
depot Citizens fed toward Lynchburg on horse
bacs, in wagons, coaches, aud on foot.
80 passed the afternoon and night. People
who could not get away did not dare to 20 to
bel, for the order was issued TO withdraw all
the troops at dayhreak. spike the guns and blow
up the gunboats. They we're afraid tina, the
city would be fired by Gen. Ewell. who swore
that the Yankees should find only a heap Of
smouldering ruins. They we're afraid also that
the rear guard would give themselves up to pill
lage, i was horrible night-a night which
tries neryes-which makes young men grow old
| speak now not only Of those - no are hostile in
feeling, but Of those who longel to see the stars
ana stripes once more in Richmond They fear
ed the transition periol-the hour Of no govern
meuf.
40 four o'clock ;he irou-cial.. one after an
other. were'howu un, shaking the city, rattlng
the glass from the Windows, Turing down CHM
ucys. ani almost taking away the breath Of men
go the streets. At the ,me moment, the torch
wa> applied 10 several unfinished rams and
boats ou the shore, also 20 several tobacco ware
houses
Gen. breckenridge. the Secretary ofWar, pro-
tos'ei 90 Gen. Ewell that il would be an act OF
'uhum snity TO FIRE the city; hut ENell, who is
brutal man, who is brutal o. his soldiers
coarse and rude in all his acts. swore that the
tobacco ~r0uli bc destroyed aul the arsenal. lie
sent man io IRE the Treiecar iron works. but
tle man in charge said '.tlese are private works.
ST, nnd g you un iertakc 90 Gre them IN shoot
yau.' The .'iser charged with the execution
ot tae bnra.n- withdrew. but the tobacco houses
aud 'he arsenal amt large Touring mill on the
bank % the riser. were irel 30 five o'clock.
70 wls at this hour THAT EEr. with bis rabble
anil Breckenridge. mounted thcir horses aud
role tut ot ile eiy t0sar.s che west. turning
ta,r backs upon what h.i ben the 1eb.. cap
it1i L.se .--s--ius. burglars .,ui l,ius afthe
deepest dive. after ;h.ir r..ler.-- sui murders,
t..y applied fte torch 20 tae place where they
have resei.l 900 Cr.u5, and l.strrrarei !ram the
place, carrying with them tine excavations Of aii
-.'t.r-.IlI uf those who t.I this moruire were
their friends History viii hold Br.-., fn-i Z 10.