Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-15

long behndhand in getting themselves posi-
ed on the tops of all buildings of publ
character in the CITY,"
PETERSBURG, April g.
The Army of the Potomac has been in an,
out of Petersburg this morning, merely max
ing flying visit The rebels commenced
evacuating last night at 10 o'clock, and by
o'clock this morning were across the river
the enemy having burned about $1,000, 00(
worth of tobacco, the South-side railroad
depot, and bridges across the Appomatox.
Our troops charged the inner line of work:
at daylight, taking picket line o. some SOC
men prisoners. The troops on entering the
| city behaved most admirably, not more than
| half dozen stores being entered by them,
| and these mostly containing tobacco, segars,
liquors, &c. The Provost Guard soon arrived
and established order. The Mayor of the
town met the troops as they entered and
handed to the officer commanding the follow
ing communication, offering the surrender of
the city:
1t. Gen. Grant Commanding the Armies of the
Uaited States, or the Mayor General Command
ing U. s. Forces in front Of Petersburg:
GENERAL The city of Petersburg having been
evacuated by the Confederate troops, we, COM
by surrender the city to the United States forces.
with request for the protection of the persons
and property of its inhabitants
We are, respectfully
Your obedient servants,
w. w. TONNES, Mayor
ID. AVERY PAUL, Committee.
Protection was promised on the part of the
troops and the citizens have no cause of COM
plaint for certainly there is no Instance on
record where an army, after lying so long in
front of place of 80 much importancesand
losing so many men in the efforts to capture,
entered a city with less disorder and doing
less damage to private property than in this
case.
The citizens did not show themselves during
the fore part of the day, but after discovering
that our soldiers were orderly and well be.
haved, with no disposition to disturb or an
noy any one, they began to make their APP
pearance at the doors and windows of their
residences, and later in the day even many
expressing their joy quietly that the Con-
federates had gone and hoping that the war
would soon be over.
For more than a month past the rebel
troops have been receiving less rations than
ever before, only just enough being brought
to last from day to day. Citizens say they
have suffered mnch, but it is well to take
such stories with good deal of allowance
The rebels managed to get away with all
their artillery, excepting one or two old
Columbiads and a few heavy mortars which
they could transport readily. A large num-
Der of men deserted and hid themselves in
the town until our troops entered, when they
made their appearance and were taken into
custody 1t is believed thew retreated to-
ward Lynehburg or Dauville, but they will
have to make good time if they elude the
pursuit of orr army, now flushed with victory
and willing to travel at any rate and any
length to head them off,
The city presents a very clearly and re-
spectacle appearance. Many houses in the
lower part of the city have been badly iniur-
ed by shot and shell thrown from our bate
ries last summer, and since that time most of
the houses located there have been vacated.
Ever since morning our troops have been
passing through the city westward taking the
Cox and River road to Sutherland Station.
On the Southside r. R., where our head
quarters are in camp tonight, at this hour,
p. m, the rear guard are passing and wag-
Ons and trains are following. The railroad
from City Point here is to be put in running
order Immediately, and although it is not ex-
pected permanent base will be established
here, yet it will be held as a depot of sup
plies to the army so long as it is within
reach. All the rolling stock of the railroads
was run off toward Richmond, but in this de.
partment they must have been very deficient
"a "a'=y ""'''d "VS i"'S r'rrnad SO muGir no.
bacco.
New YORK, April 8. .
The following items about the rebel fight
from Petersburg and Richmond and of our
occupation, and the condition of affairs in the
two cities, are from various sources:
The HeralPS special from Petersburg says:
cat the commencement of Gen. Grants oper-
atoms on this line, five days ago, the rebels
had a force at their command defending
Petersburg variously estimated at from 60, 900
to $4,000 men. The defence of Petersburg
was LaaLofence of Richmond If one fell the
OTHER was certain to fall Hence every avail
able means was brought to confront Grant.
OF this army Of veteran troops, not less than
$4,000 have fallen into our hands as prisoners.
These men have been captured on the field as
fruits of severe fighting. l2,500 of them had
been delivered at City Point and disposed of
up to last evening, The correspondent esti-
mates 600 killed and wounded, making the
rebel loss $4,000"
The citizens of Petersburg did not believe,
even Sunday evening, that Lee would evacu-
ate the town, being assured that the destruc-
ton of property was merely precautionary,
and that the plan would be to hold it at eve
ed from their delusion by the sound of Yam
kee music Monday morning.
The rebels left in four distinct bands, each
seeking safety for ITSELF A portion of them
started for the Appomattox, and succeeded
in crossing on a pontoon train above Peters
burg; while the rest, being pressed, could
not get across, but fed up the river on the
southern bank.
The Tines army of the Potomac special
Sd, says: "After Longstreet's forces were
driven back by Sheridan and Warren, and
the right of Lees army was turned, Gen.
Humphreys led the I'd corps to the attack,
and an assault was made along the entire line
to the Appomattox, near Point of Rocks
At each point where the I'd corps made an
attack they were successful, breaking the
enemy's lines and capturing everything. The
strong works on that portion of the enemy's
line were Intellectual to withstand the shocks
struck by the I'd, which nobly sustained its
hard-earned reputation. The 25th corps had
one division and part of another engaged.
1t performed the task set for it, and was sue
cSssfui III capturing two large aad well de-
Tended forts, a goOdly number of prisoners,
and sixteen guns. The negroes, of whom
the corps is wholly composed, fought with
great gallantry, and lost in killed and wound
ed a proportionate number with other corps"
The Heralds correspondent from the late
mansion of JEFF. Davis, Richmond, says the
evacuation of that city was seriously contem-
plated several days before it took place, but
the final conclusion was not arrived at until
Sunday afternoon last, wien Lee telegraphed
Davis that Grant had rendered the holding of
the city, by him, impossible. This telegram
Uaa read in the churches and the denarture