Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-06

DurB. ... ... .....
Army of the Potomac Visits Peters
burg-EvacOntiOn Of Petersburg
Millions of Dollars Worth Of To,
baccO BurnedGNIayOr Surrend
ers the City 10 Union forces.
PETERSBURG, March 3.-Tho Army of thu
Potomac has been in and out of PETERSBURG
this morning; merely making flying visit
The rebels commenced eyacuating last
night at ten O'Clock, and by three O'Clock
this morning were across the river, having
burned about million dollars worth of to.
bacco, the South Side railroad depot and the
bridges across the Appamattux. Our troop,
charged the inner line of works at daylight
taking picket line of some five hundred
men prisoners. The troops on entering the
city behaved mostadmirably, not more than
half dozen stores being entered by them
and these mostly containing tobacco, segars
liquor, etc. The provost guard soon arriy-
ed and established order. 30 a..E
The mayor of the town met the troops as
they eutered and handed to the officer COM
manding the following communication, of
fering the surrender of the city.
Lieutenant General U. s. Grant, conn,1ndin1
the Armies OF the United States or the Major.
General commanding tie U. S. forces in from
Of PeterS6auy:
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 States forces, with request for the
protection of the prisoners and property ol
its inhabitants.
We are respectfully your ob't servants,
w. w. Towns, Mayor,
DARCEY PAUL, Committee.
Protection was promised on the part OF
the troops, and the citizens have no cause
of complaint. For certainly there is no in.
stance ON record where an army, after ly
ing so long in front of place of so much
Importance and losing so many men in eff
forts to capture it, entered 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 behaved,
with no disposition to disturb or wrong
any one, they began to make their
appearance at the doors and WIN
dows of their residence, and later in
the day mahy expressing their Joy quietly
that the confederates had gone and hoping
that the war would soon be over. For more
than 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
much, but it as well to take such stories
with good deal of allowance. The rebels
managed to get away with all their artil-
lery, excepting l or old Columbiads and
few heavy mortars, which they could not
transport readily. A large number of men
deserted and hid in town until our troops
entered, when they made their appearance
and were taken into custody.
1t is believed they retreated toward
Lynchburg or Danville, but they will have
to make good time if they elude the pur-
suit of our army, now blushed with victory
and willing to travel at any rate, and any
distance to head them off. ......
The city presents a very cleanly and re-
pectable appearance. Many houses in the
lower part OF the city have been badly in
jured by shot and shell, thrown from our
batteries last summer, and since that time
most OF the houses located there have been
vacated.
Four o'clock 2. M.-Since morning our
troops have been passing through the city
westward taking the Cox. and river roads,
to Sutherland station, ON South Side rail-
road, where our headquarters are in camp
tonight. At this hour the rear guard are
passing and wagon trains are following.
The railroad at City Point is to be put in
running order Immediately, and although
it is not expected permanent base will be
established here, yet it could be held as
depot to deliver supplies to the army. AS
long as within reach all the rolling stock of
the railroad was run off toward Richmond,
but in this department they must have been
very deficient or they would not thave burn
ed so much tobacco.
A courier has arrived from Sheridan, stat
ing that division that were cut of, and
which it was expected would be either
badly whipped or captured, had crossed the
AppomattoX some ten or twelve miles above
Petersburg; but he was following, skir-
mishing with their rear guard and expect
ing to have an engagement to-day. Troops
are rapidly pushing on to his assistance,
and before noon another victory over the
enemies of the Union may be gained.