The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-03-28

|
FROM SHERMAN's ARMY-Releigh, March %
The Confederate has the following, which may
| be relied on as entirely accurate. Sherman s
whole army was entrenched on the morning of the
goth. aud we did not attack but held our position
and brouch. of. all our wounded There was heavy
skifmshing on the Goth and 2lst, and several
partial attacks by the enemy, but they were hand
somely repulsed The troops all behaved ad-
mirably.
On the evening and night of the 2lst, the enemy
moved towards Goldsbcro.
THE EVACUATION OF FAYETTE-
WILLIE.
| The following interesting account Of the evacu-
alton of Fayetteville is taken from the Biblical
Recorder
When Gen. Sherman started on his raid from
Savannah, it was generally believed in military
circles that he would follow the course of the rail-
road from Columbia to Charlotte. Preparations
were made to check him before he reached the
latter place. On arriving at Chester he turned
his column to the right, captured Camden, and
moved on the main road to Cheraw. Gen. Har-
dee was compelled to evacuate the town and re-
treat to Rockingham. He was then ordered by
General Johnston to fall back upon Fayetteville.
% reaching the vicinity, on Wednesday the 9Th,
he took position six miles from town, where he
was reinforced by the command of Lieut.. General
Hampton. 1t was believed that stand would be
made and the place defended. 1t did seem that
the splendid arsenal, the seven cotton and three
oil factories, &c, made it place Of sufficient i'm
portance to the government to make more deter
mined defence. On Thursday the artillery and
trains began to cross the river. Then it was an
nounced that Gen. Johnston had left, and all hope
of defence abandoned. Thursday was gloomy
day. The weather was inclement; the people sad;
the soldiers disappointed. The citizens began to
secrete their provisions, plate, jewelry, &c. The
ladies had provisions cooked for the soldiers, and
the citizens who were likely to be molested began
to prepare to leave.
Friday was fast day. In the morning it rained
heavily The church bells called the people to
the house of prayer, but few obeyed the call
shone as brightly and the evening calm az
if the sound Of war had never been heard in the
land. Late in the afternoon it was announced
that the infantry were entrenching, and this led
many to believe that the town was not lost The
wish was father to the thought. TO those convcr
SAINT with military movements it indicated an i'm
mediate retreat. About sunset nearly FIVE hun
dred prisoners, captured in the morning, were
brought in and hurried to the front AS the
shades Of darkness began to cover the old town.
the quartermaster and and ordnance wagons NOV
to the front Those of us who intended leaving
were assured that we could not remain till morn
Jog; and retired to our homes and partook of
our evening repast with feelings that not east
y described. Loved ones separated; fathers en-
braced their children; husbands and wives parted
but must stop. The grief Of such partings is
too sacred for the public eye. On hurryng to the
streets, found them thronged with soldiers. 1t
took me three hours to cross the bridge, just one
!
ed to the house of friend and sought few hours
lrepose.
Saturday morning, we returned to the river.
enemy had entered the town, and been driven
back in confusion. The cavalry the outpos,s
were drawn in and line formed for the defence
of the bridge. The troops crossed 10 very Or
derly, quiet manner. just before the last detach-
ment Of cavalry crossed, the steamers and fats in
the river were fired. These we'll known favorites
foated from their moorngs the flames shot up
towards the heavens. The enemy, in force, enter
ed the town and commenced firing upon the rear
of our retreating column.
The confusion among the citizens was, of course,
intense. In few moments the streets were clear
ed, and the troops engaged in spirited fight at
long range. Just as soon as the last detachment
crossed, the bridge was fired. In few momeAts
it was enveloped in flames and fell with crash
that rescmbled the roar of artillery. A 80 poun.
der was posted in front Of the bridge, so to com
mand portion Of Hay street, and all that portion
of it which passes through what is called Camp
bellton. The street was in few moments crow
.ded with mounted men. The roar of the flames
that we're consuming the bridge, boats and old
ware houses, the exultant cheers of the invaders,
the screams of excited females, the hallooing of
thoughtless boys, all broke upon the stllncss of
lovely morning. The enemy rush in triumph to-
wards the bridge, needless of danger, when a solid
shot, from 32-pounder, strikes the head of their
column and passes through it. Then, after mo-
mentary pause, the column closes, and on they
come. The next moment a shell is thrown iDso
their midst; the she'll explodes; there is confusion
another and another, and the street is deserted
Gen. Hampton then discovered that they were en-
deavorng to reach radan to the left of the bridge
To do this they had to pass over an open field
The gun was moved to point which commanded
the field, and few we'll directed shots completed
the evacuation. Scarcely a man was cut off, and
no stores were lost.
E j. Haze, the reteran editor of the Observer,
had just finished working off the usual issue of his
paper on Thursday. Having good supply of pa
per on hand, he put his press to work on Friday
and supplied the troops With the Observer gratis
The citizens, up to the night of the evacuation,
continued to receive Confederate money. The
ladies were as interchangeable as ever in miniserne
to the wants of the soldiers. They have the proud
satisfaction of knowing that the troops will never
forget them. They are noble people.
REFUGEE