Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-07
Yesterday Evenings Edition.
FROM NEW YORK.

NEW York, April 6.
The HeTGJFS correspondent from the
mansion of JEFF. Davis in Richmond SAYS
that the evacuation of that city was seri-
ously contemplated several days before it
took place, but the final decision was not
arrived at until Sunday evening last, when
Lee telegrsphed Davis that Grant had
rendered the holding of the city by him
impossible. This telegram was read in the
churches, and the departure of the leading
rebels commenced at once, and was contin-
ued through the night. jeff Davis left at
P. NJ. for Danville, and it is understood
that the government archives were sent to
that place and Milton, NC. The city was
fired by General Ewell, and although Gen.
Weitzel, on reaching the city, endesvored
to subdue the flames, one-third of the city
was destroyed. AmoEg the buildings
burned were the War Department, Post
churches, two banks, and three newspaper
offices.
1t was understood to have been Lees
design to endesvor to reach Danville, Va,
and there fJrtify and make another stand.
This plan Sheridan's movement has frus-
trated, and Lee is now apparently endsaV-
oring to get to LyRchburg.
A HsTGLG dispatch, dated RussellviIle,
Ala, March 24th, with the cavalry column
of Thomas army under Wilson,. says that
the force consists of three divisions, and
was soon to be Joined by a fourth. Its
destination was Selma, Montgomery and
Mobile. The country 20 far travelled con-
tains only old men, women, children and
negroes. Provisions were plenty, and our
foragers found no difficulty in obtaining
supplies.
A few rebels appeared and skirmished
with the advance, but this was the only
opposition met with by the 24th. Many
rebel deserLers had delivered themselves up
The HeTatdS correspondent says: The
works in front of Richmond consist of
three strong lines, wholly enveloping the
city. The outer ones are continuous. The
inner one consists Of series of strong re-
doubts and bsstion forts. All these mount
upward Of 300 guns and would, had they
been properly garrisoned, form an almost
impregnsble series of defenses. Torpedoes
were thickly strewn all over the ground
marked with little flags for the safety of
the rebe's, but which they reelected TO
remove in their hssty flight, and thus
saved many of the lives of our men when
marching into Richmond. The second
line was found equally as strong as the
first, excepting ss to the abattis and tor
pedoes. The third line is just outside the
edge of the town, situated on high ground
These works, like the others, mount heavy
guns.
Davis received Lees dispatch to eVacu-
ate while in church. Davis took on the
train, he escaped with, horses and CARR.
ages, 80 as to take to the country in case
the road was interrupted. He expressed
himself as being yet determined not tc
give up, though it was certain he had but
little hope left.
Extra Billy Smith did not leave till aftel
midnight. He left his wife behind, as also
did General Lee. The news OF the death
of her son, W. Il. f. Lee, in the battles
has been received.
The Legislature was in session as late as
nine o'clock Sunday night, when they
started for Columbia, by the canal snd
james river.
Breckinridge left the city as late as half
past six Monday morning.
A large number of rebels officers vert
captured and psroled.
INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR
BBOWNLOW.