The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1865-04-14
GRANT.

GRANT.
The Evacuation OF Richmond...Five
Hundred Houses Burned...Exeesses
of the Rebel SOldlery...Restora
of Order by the Federals..-M0ve.
ments OF President Lincoln.
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Times.
RICHMOND, Va, April 4-r. M
via WASHINGTON, April 6.
hope the people of the North enjoy the
capture of this city as much as the soldiery
do, and as much even as good many of
the citizens do. Seeing how the people
bear themselves, l cannot but wonder that
jeff. Davis kept up his government here
so long. The rule of the usurper must
have been very strong while it lasted.
1t appears that Gen. Lee sent Davis a
dispatch on Sunday P. NJ, saying that he
could not hold out, and that the city must
be evacuated Immediately. Davis and
most of his cabinet left within three hours,
and the soldiers and citizens began to leave
about dark. As soon as it was concluded
to run away, the city council held q secret
session, and, in pursuance of orders from
that body, the work of destruction soon
thereafter began. A large amount of
liquor'was doomed to destruction. Some
of the rebel soldiers got hold of this and
became drunk. While in this condition
they roamed at will up and down the
streets, committing all sorts Of outrages,
breaking into stores and private residences,
assailing citizens, knocking down negroes,
and kindling fires at random. The author
tiles had ordered the destruction of most
Of the government buildings, but it appears
that the burning of the business part of the
city was, to. certain extent at least, the
result of the fire kindled by these drunken
soldiers. l have been told to-day by nu.
merous citizens that Sunday afternoon and
night vas most awful time. The Union
troops, bringing order and security, would
have been gladly welcomed, even if there
had been no secret unionism in the city.
Isuppose need not particularize as to the
buildings burned, suffice it to say, nearly
all the principal business portion of the city
is one mass of smoking and blackened
ruine. . . @"' "a = = - z 80 -
The only newspaper offices remaining
are those of the Wing and Sentinel. It is
certain that at least five hundred houses
are gone, and five hundred more would
have been burned if our troops had not put
out the raging fres A considerable num-
Der of lives were lost during the progress
of the fires-none of them, however, being
Union soldiers.
The last rebel soldiers left Just before
daylight, setting fire, as they went, to the
great flour mill on the Danville Railroad
bridge, and some other buildings. The
custom house was fred, but the flames
were extinguished to-day.
There has been the utmost cordially of
feeling between the soldiers and the reo-
: pie, and the citizens are apparently de-
lighted with the "boys in blue" Just
how much unionism there is in the city it
is impossible to say. l think our reception
is, in some respects, at least, due to the
fact that we bring order with US. Gen.
Shepley, military governor, has issued Or
ders that the soldiers shall abstain from
any insulting words towards citizens,
and that any officer or soldier entering a
private dwelling without proper author
ity, and committing any lawlessness or
breach Of decorum, shall be speedily pun
ished. He also, on the other hand, tells
the citizens that no REASONABLE or offensive
expressions towards our flag, cause, or
arms will be allowed. So far there seems
good disposition on both sides to OBJ
serve the orders.
jeff. Davis house is occupied By Gen.
Weitzel, the capitol by Gen. Shepley, the
city hall by the provost marshal, and Gov.
Smiths house by the post commandant.
The Spottswood hotel is running as usual,
under its former proprietor.
The President arrived here this after
noon and became the guest of Gen. Welt
eel, and held a sort of reception in the
late so called Davis House, after which
he rode out through the city, accompanied
by Admiral Porter, who came up with
him, and numerous officers. Vice Admi-
raj Farragut, who came up the James,
was also with him. The whole party left
for City Point again this afternoon. The
President is in excellent humor. Many
white residents called on him, and negroes
perfectly thronged about him, wherever
be went.
WASHINGTON, April 6.-Some details of
the evacuation and occupation of Rich-
mond, in addition to those already .ele.
graphed you, have been received.
All remained quiet in Richmond up to
Wednesday forenoon, no disturbance hav-
ing occurred.
The fires broke out, it seems, on Sun
day, before the evacuation. Mayor Mayo
and the city council ordered all liquors de-
stroyed. The heads of barrels we're
knocked in, and the contents emptied in
the streets. Bottles of liquor that had
commanded fabulous prices were broken
on the stones. As consequence the re.
bel rear guard became intoxicated and un-
governable, and terrible scene of pillage
and ruin ensued. Stores were plundered,
and the whole city was in tumult with
the riotous proceedings. Great damage
was done by the explosion of magazine
against which, it is said, Gen. Breckin-
ridge earnestly demonstrated; but Gener-
al Ewell, who had been entrusted with the