New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-04-10
RICHMOND


To Richmond asA Back - WHY New,
Xtr1l what U.s.
Frsn Our Special conesp0ndent
.sfe0D ser-q 81, EEw'YoRK, April9 9, lsca
sr.u THB WHY. ytr
Time, II a. m, Monday, April 3, 1866. Place,
the Treasury Department Washington where at bic
desk sat the writer hereof An abstruse calculation
corrugated his brow while under current Of thought
edded among tho pros and Of the queston-woud
lie win that hat he had wsgered that Richmond would
fall within 40 hours. o..
Oft the two questions, 10 the exchange to be al
lowed on the drafts Of the Hon. Potkalle EIeyell
Minister to the Windward Islands and the other AZ 70
the contingent hat aforesaid the latter wan the first
solved. 49,
wild shout, e1ultant and prolonged-a shoot that
grew into great storm and whirlwnd Of voiced Joy
hundreds Of benowskc lungs were added TO les forccs,
this dhsoated voice sufgpe mp Che broad
stairways and went reverberstng adown the long DOR
ridors and called all ofus forh<o ask hungry auoaons
and these were answered with one word "Rich.
mondi" .-...,. ~
Now, in the Peninsular Campaign had climbsd
tall trees 70 but the glintiug spires OF Richmond
always careful TO keep the body Of che tree between
body and those spires tho former being better cal
cnlated to stop bullets Again last Summer. climbed
other trees for the same pnrpose What more natural
then than for me 10 be seized with the magic Of the Old
Slogan (mpeh abused. but always right, Onward to
Richmond" Besides. the instincts Of retired army
correspondent asserted themselves and babe go
more to the front and to write TO The TRm-
UNR. And 20 all. ashrob with the thought OF seeing
Richmond. set about the requisite preparations. in
quite much haste TO get there was Davis hnseho
get away from there
rHE How
The course OF the War Department toward newspa-
pefs and their correspondents during the Shole war has
boon marked by petty tyranny BY capfoe that would
be funny IL 1t had not been troublesome and BY the
most consummate ignorance. short-sgbtedness, and
folly. Perhaps the conslomerate word "pg.headed'
ness' well sums up my indictment. The procurement
Of pssses for correspondents has always developed on
the part Of some other Of ts officials with whom
one came In contact the above mentioned quality.
remember when Grant WIS about 10 set ont nom Cub
pepper an order issued ts correspondents must he
registered az such IN the army. and the construction
placed upon II by the War Department that pages
could not be granted prior 10 such registration and
that the registration must be done In person.
In other words. one must 10 In tho army
in order TO DO registered. at the sames time
he could not 60 to the army until no vas
registered. And tslcgrsphic correspondence with
Provost Marhas At the front, and series Of inter
views with officials at the Department only befogred
the matter. At length the dilemma was submitted Ia
A. Lincoln. the COMMANDER in Chief who grated
unconditional passes hAfaiOzen Of usand no told
US an sproPcs story. !
BeafIhg the past In mind. was not at al snrrisrd
on calling at tho Department at noon on Monday 70 hnd
,h nom Secretary down no ono bad authority to grant
passes-"the late successes 80 changed the circam'
stances that probably policy as to passes would
be required" and would call tomorrow" Ideter
mined would not call to morrow, particularly o.
thought could fnd an old pass. by order u Lest
Gen Grant" bearing the indorsement. dated last May
extended until fsrsb.r srdera- ard bad heard OF
NO further orders touching IT, AZ hoped. that
pass admitted board the james T. Brady at SPIN
Similar considerations "a those which started me TO
Richmond had the effect upon two other veteran
-Wbitelaw Reid, the Agate" Of 1hs
Cineinnati Gaaas and L. L, Croupsc.-the Washington
editor Of TAs Ti~es-gsntlemen with whom 1t 10
pleasure to travel even board OF one OF Gen. lngats
line Of steamers to City Point Being anxious sofortet
the annoyance and dsconfors OF my many
trips on these bosts fcrbear description OF Tho ono
In question: i wish could easily dsmiss II from
nv dreams for IL has since formed the substance Of the
oniy nightmare by which was ever ridden
We reached varina Landing fifteen miles from
Richmond a. funneth tire NEWMARKET Road. at sunset
Tuesday the most Interesting event on tho way being
the meeting Of I've or six steaniboss crowded with
Rebel prisoners who oheered Justify Is they passed
Oar party now consisting Of Mr.. Reid X I. Colburn,
of The World and myself (Mr. Crounse had stopped at
City Pont was anxious for instant transportation to
Richmond-our Mecca mail ambulance, the oslJ
vehicle at the wharf, could not accommodate Us. md
mustsns courage 10 start on foot in company
with score or two bound for the same destination.
when Gen. Weitzeps four.horse headquarters wagon
drove MP II had come down from the city with
party Of ladies' escorted BY Major GrsFes Of wsitzss
staff Luckily the Mgor was - acquaintance |
Of NINE and our greetings were cut short by my |
initiating negotiations for seats In the wagon on Ito
return passage With warm thanks for his ready |
assent we three, with ell tie flourish Of an oldtime
stsge.coach and 70 the small envyofa dozen otlera
ratified of on the corduroy road. But not oil the way
to Mecca that night Although Piled with the contents
Of Aaak ssa pockst-book. the driver could not DO
induced to travel after DARK alleging tUrpedoes which
should be stray by night from the straight path and
narrow gate which leads through the Rebel ortinoa
tiops. might b s.plodsa and sd hh horses Thesub-
lime OF that driver and bis great love
for his horses begat our respect. We pardoned him
his want Of consideration a. to our own safety and a.
scented to bis proposition that We should pass the night
at the now abandoned headquarters of Gen. Wdts<l
ten miles on the hitler side Of Meccs These hcadil
quarters consisted Of village OF deserted huts The
sole inhabitants were colorsd sergeant with guard
Of six left In charge Of certain unremoysd stores