Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-08
The Fall of Kichmo mond-Last Scenes Be-
fore the Evacuation


The scene in the city during the conf gra-
ton is said to have been perfectly appalling
The sound OF bursting shells in the Govern
ment arsenals. the roar Of the flames, the vol
cano-like eruptions caused by the upheayal
OF immmense masses of debris through the
plosion Of powder in the laboratory, arsenals
and adjoining storehouses, the dense masses Of
smoke, the shrieks and yells Of the populace,
com bined to make such an Impression as can
never be effaced from the memory OF any one
who witnessed the fearful scene. Over the
Bank Of Virginia handsome COME ssrate flag
f1oated, sometimes concealed by the clouds of
smoke, at other times standing out against a
clear sky over the leaping flames that vainly
sought TO gather ii within their embrace; and
only when the massive walls Of the structure
fell in did the defiant emblem sink into the era
ter beneath There were but few flags flying
when the Union troops entered, but shortly af-
terward great deal OF star.spangled banner
patched the sky, and 1t would seem, il the
view in the perspective be any evidence, that,
as Judged by the amount of Federal bunting,
three other "Rebel" ensigns, besides that l
have alluded to- am informed, were visible
at the time of the occupation of the city by the
Federal soldery.
None of the buildings on Capitol Square
were burned, although the structure used as
the office OF the Confederate War Department,
directly opposite the Capitol, was destroyed.
st Paul's Church, which stands on 9th street,
next to the site of the War Department build
ing, is untouched. In this church President
Davis was sitting at the time Gen. Lees tele-
gram announcing the turning of the Confed-
crate right on the White Oak road was re-
ceived. The clergyman had nearly finished
his sermon when an orderly entered the church,
passed straight to the Presidents pew. and
handed him the fatal despatch. Mr.. Davis i'm
mediately proceeded to the War Department,
thence to the capitol, and thence to the Rich
made the necessary preparations for the con-
veyance OF his family to place Of safety. He
remained in the city until near nightfall, when
he left in the $50 train. Much Of his house
rfuv vuQc
several weeks since, and when he took his final
departure from Richmond he had very little
baggage with him.
The success Of the Federals on their left
wing was made known to the entire popula-
tion Of Richmond within an hour from the
time that Mr.. Davis received the news, and
from this moment until the occupation OF the
city by the United States soldiery, incessant
and indescribable confusion prevailed. Dur
ing the forenoon of Sunday the town had been
unusually quiet, the movement OF scattered
detachments OF troops alone marring the still
ness OF the day. A little after noon people be-
gan TO congregate in the streets, and knots
grew rapidly in all the corners, crossings and
sidewalks. Soon carts, trucks, drays, hay
ricks, ambulances, army wagons, vehicles, in
Short OF all descriptions, loaded with house.
hold goods and Government stores, began to
pour out OF the alleys and by.yayS into the
m ain thoroughfares, and even on TO wards the
South Side, the Government wagons proceed
ing directly to the Danville depot. The alarm
spread, and thousands of excited individuals,
with arms full OF property of all portable
sorts, rushed headlong toward the vital ave.
nue. of escape. These were the persons who
had determined to cast their fortunes with the
Confederate Government, and hoped to save
something, If only q little, from the general
wreck. Others took the matter more coolly:
unable or unwilling to move, or having nothing
to save, they preferred to trust to the mercies
OF the Northern soldiers.
All that hot Sunday afternoon the streets
We're filled with gangs OF negroes carrying
bundles and boxes, articles Of every Imaginable
character that might be transported on the
shoulders or heads of men, rushing hither and
thither, and adding to the general tremendous
yells and outcries. The better class of the
Richmond white population acted with what
seemed, under the circumst stances, extraordi-
nary calmness, for, although they had ex
pected the evacuation, they had, one ALL fondly
hoped, even against hope, that they might be
spared the last crushing humiliation of giving
up the city their friends and brethren in the
trenches Lad so long and gallantly protected.
Nobody went to bed on Sunday night The
streets were filled with masses of armed men,
with long lines OF Government wagons, with
hurrying citizens and laboring negroes, while
the tumult was incessant. Long trains were
constantly departing over the Danville road,
and the shrill shrek Of the locomotive whistle
was almost continuous from night until morn.
ing. At the commissary depot, situated at the
head Of the Government dock, heavy detach-
ments Of men were hard at work from two
O'Clock on Sunday afternoon until six o'clock
on Monday morning, filling hundreds upon
hundreds Of Government wagons with the
stores provided for the great armies Of Lee;
and throng of men and women, carrying
surrounded the Buildings, waiting in frantic
eagerness for the signal to help themselves.
The banks were open all night. and crowded
with depositors, anxiously waiting their turn
to withdraw their specie; and closely guarded
vans were loaded both here and at the Treasury
building, with the Government bullion, to be
transported over the Dan willie road. Millions
of dollars in Confederate and State notes were
cast into the streets, cut to pieces by order of
the Government officials and bank directors,
while bales of unsigned notes were scattered
broadcast all about the Treasury building.