Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-04-14
The Occupation Of Petersburg

When Ely's brigade entered the city
daylight had not yet dawned. Seeing
that Tie rebels would not fight, and that
bat . scattered few remained in front Of
then, when the outskirts of the town
were reached the firing ceased, and the
troops made dash in and captured the
most Of the small skirmish line that had
been falling back before them. They then
had undisputcd possession of the city, and
ut halfpast four O'Clock Col. Ely SO re-
sorted it to Gen. Wilcox. At that hour
your correspondent rode in. The streets
at first seemed deserted, but the cheers of
the excited soldiers, as they marched
through the town, soon brought out
swarns Of negroes-men, women and
childrel-who manifested their gladness
by every conceivable deDonstratiou.-
Aprons, handkerchiefs, sheets, table
cloths, anything that was or ever had
been white, were waved by these over
ioyed people, either as tokens of amity
and submission, or in welcome, it was
hard to deternine which. They bowed
and ssraped. danced, shouted and sung
hymns, svusg their hats and turbans,
lsssasd cd cried, and acted altogether
very nssA like people crazy with Joy
s.Bssss he good Jesus Dc Yankees hab
seos !" "Tsak de Lord you's all here :"
"Bssss Il Lord. YES been lookin' for you
1sss assy days." "Glad to see you all;
~ iiks yes . heap bsstsr'a We dug de
ssAsls."
1hsss sad many simila. expressions
~ % on al hands. while the friendly
salutatiess and greetings were 50 numer.
ous hat ve wesried Of returning them.
Yous correspondent, being the 6rst mount.
Cd uas il the town, was looked upon as
some high military diguitary, and re.
eeived moro thas his share Of these hos
p,table demonstrations. One old neg Q
woman insisted on kissing my hand. while
any number Of mothers presented their
babies for distinguished touch. 1t was
somewhat embarrassing, as we'll as lit
tie annoying, to be compelled to explain
at every corner that l was no very great
parsonage after all. Entering at the up
per end of the main street of the town,
forced my way along most beautiful
avenue, lined at FIRST with elegant dwell.
ings. and lower down with blocks Of
stores mat would not look mean in
Br0adway, to the Richmond railroad do.
pot on the river, at the lower end Of the
street. Turning to the right on Water
street, and going one block, l entered a
street Leading to the river, across which
At this point were wagon and passenger
bridge, and the principal railroad brid &c.
This latter had been thoroughly destroy.
-. Its abutments had been blown down
viA powder, and the superstructure
bs.sd. The wooden passenger bridge
known = ~ Lower bridge. had evidcst-
b beeo ~ lest ussd BY the rebels, and
was bat jest Cred. Presenting upon my
ysssgaissd authority ~ an officer of high
deeres, ! sent the negroes off after the
sa9ises. and very soon had . FIRST class
Dire brigade iwprovised and at work ex.
tiAguis6ing the flames. Transferring my
ausherity to white man who represented
himself g be fireman and seemed will.
ise 10 WORT. l left the scene 70 make
other observations.
Just below this point was another rail.
road bridge temporary affair, built by
the military authorities for their own ac-
commodation- as the track across it
communicates with all the railroads cen.
tcring in Petersburg. ia an important
structure for us. This bridge the rebels
had forgotten or neglected to destroy. 1t
was just as good as eyer it was. The
Campbell bridge, crossing The river at
the upper end Of the town, was wholly
destroyed. The depots wore not fired,
bat the rolling stock tina, could not be