Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-05
LATE TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
THE OCCUPATION OF PETERSBURG.
DESTRUCTION OF THE RAILROAD DE.
POT, BRIDGES, AND TOBACCO.
FORMAL SURREN DER OF THE CITY By
THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES

Correspondence of the Associated Press
PETERSBURG, April 3.-The Army Of the Pc.
tomac has been in and ont of Petersburg this
morning making flying visit.
The rebels commenced evacuating last nigh,
at 10 O'Clock, and 3 a. m. this morning were
across the river. having burned about mil.
lion dollars worth OF tobacco, the South side
railroad depot and the bridges across the Ap.
pOmattoX
Our troops charged the inner line of works
at daylight taking picket line OF some 500
men prisoners.
The troops, on entering the city, behaved
most admirably, not more than half a dozen
stores being entered by them, and these mostly
containing tobacco, cigars, liquors, &c. The
provost guard soon arrived and established
order.
The mayor OF the town met the troops as thew
entered, and handed to the officer Commanding
the following communication Offering the sur.
render Of the city:
To Lieutenant General Grant, Commandino the
Armies of the United States, or the Majo- General
Comm anding United States Forces in Front of Pc.
tersburg.-General: The city OF Petersburg
having been evacuated by the Confederate
troops, we, committee authorized by the
common council, do hereby surrender the city
to the United S ates forces with a request for
the protection OF the persons and property Of
We are, respectty, your ob't serv'ts,
W. w. TOwNRs, Mayor
DARCY PAUL,
CHAs. F. GOLFERS
Protection was promised ON the part of the
troops, and the citizens have no cause for com.
plant, for certainly there is no instance on
record where an army, after lying so long in
front OF place of SO much importance, and
losing so many men in the effort to capture 1t,
entered city with less disorder and doing less
damage to private property than in this case.
the fore part of the day, but after discovering
that our soldiers were orderly and we'll be.
haved, with no disposition to disturb any one,
they began to make their appearance at the
ND win of hair
later in the day even entering familiarity into
conversation, many OF them expressing their
joy, quietly, that the Confeds had gone, and
hoping that the war would soon be over. For
more than month past rebel troops have been
receiving less rations than ever before, only
Just enough being brought in to last from day
to day. The citizens say they have suffered
much, but it is we'll to take such stories with a
good deal Of allowance.
The rebels mar aged to get away all their ar.
ullery, excepting one or two old column iads
and q few heavy mortars, which they could
not transport readily.
A large number of men deserted and hid
away in town until our troops entered, when
hey made their appearance, and were taken
into custody.
1t is believed they retreated towards Lynch.
burg or Danvi!ie, but they will have to make
army, now flushed with victory, and Willing
to travel at any rate and distance to head
The city presents a very cleanly and respect
able appearance, and there are many residences
here that would do no discredit to Fifth Ave
nue., New York.
Many Of the houses in the lower part of the
city have been badly injured by the shot and
shell thrown from our batteries last summer
and since that time most Of the houses located
there have been vacant
FIVE P. Never since Monday our troops
have been passing through the city westward.
taking the Cox and River roads to Sutherland
Station, on the South Side railroad, where
headquarters are to camp Tonight At this
hour the rear guard, in charge of Col. Taylor
30 maryland, are passing, and the wagon
trains are to follow.
The railroad from City Point here is to be
put in running order immediately, and al.
though 1t is not expected that permanent base
will be established here, yet 1t will be held as
depot to deliver supplies to the army as long
as it Is within reach.
All the rolling stock Of the railroads was run
on toward Richmond, but in this Department
they must have been very deficient or they
would not have burned so much tobacco.
A courier arrived from Sheridan stating that
the two divisions which were cut off and which
it was expected would be either badly whipped
or captured, has crossed the Appomattax 10 or
12 miles above Petersburg, but he was follow
ing and skirmishing with their rear guard, and
expecting to have an engagement to-day.
Troops are rap IDLY pushing on to his assist
ance, and before now another victory over the
enemies of the Union may have been gained.
The report Of A.P. Hills death Is confirmed
by the citizens, some Of whom saw his body