East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-04-12


as early rs last week Tuesday, mt ar
impressive war council s.held here
composed Of Jefferson Davis, Genera
Lee, the Confederate Cabinet, and q
large number of tho leading Generals
of the rebel army within reach of the
fallen city, that any attempt to longer
hold those immense and powerfully
CONSTRUCTED fortifcations, as well as
tho city itself was no longer practica.
BILE. .a'sfa 'ia ',e 4ae
FIRST IyTrMATIoS or A WITHDRAWAL Oh
'''V2 Z ~, THE ENEMY.
AT about 3 O'clock, this morning,
Gen. George r. Shepley, Chief Of
Staff to Major General Weitzel, felt
convinced, from the statements OF
large numbers of deserters coming
within our lines, confirmed by dis
patches from Con. Hartstuff's lines on
the Bermuda front, that all the rebel
works around Richmond were being
evacuated, and that Leo and his army
and JEFF. Davis and his government
had already taken the only available
line of retreat to the North Carolina
boundary, and that the way was clear
for the occupancy ofthe rebel capitol
by the forces of the United States
Gen. Weitzel telegraphed these pro-
ceedings to Lieut.. Gen. Grant, who
replied instantly, saying that he had
no doubt that Gen. Weitzel could oc-
cupy tho city without the slightest
difficulty. Z Dun ia'lseA lsa ~
tHiqsa $50 TnE SURRENDER. 3a
On the instant Gen. Wsitzel, so
clear was his mind upon the subject,
Maj. A. ii. Stevens, Of the
4th Massachusetts, cavalry, ond Maj.
4. E. Graves, Of his staff, to investi-
gate the condition of affairs on the
roads leading to the rebel works, and
thence to Richmond. The party had
scarcely,proceeded far within the rebel
lines when they espisd q carriage ap-
preaching, the driver waving white
flag. Approaching this vehicle it was
found to contain Maj. Mayo, the head
Of the Richmond city government,
Judge Merdith, the head Of the Su-
perior Court Of Richmond, Judge
Lyon, and several other worthless of
the rebel persuasion, who announced
that they hal come out TO surrender
The city to the competent authority.
This took place within distance of
two miles from the city, after tho
Union Majors had found their way
through several lines of torpedoes,
md was marked by the following
Maj. Stevens-Who is in command
IF this flag Of truce?
Judge Morodith-It is Mr. Mayo,
Mayor Of the city of Richmond.
The Judge at the same time intro
lpcing the Mayor and his associates
o Majors Stevens and Graves.
Mayor Mayo then handed Major
Stevens small slip Of thin paper,
ipon which was written the following:
IT is proposed to formerly surren-
Ter to the Federal authorities the city
IF Richmond, hitherto capital of the
Confederate States of America, and
he defences protecting it up to this
ime." f" nH ~ ',n.e
The document was approved of and
Major Stevens accepting its terms in
,ehalf of his commanding General, il
vas Mt once transmitted to Maj. Gen.
'ycitzel, who had already sent out his
kirmish line, and upon the receipt of
Mayor Mayo's surrender, instantly
moved his column upon the evacuated
'ity and took possession. ah
THE FIRST TO ENTER TIE CITY.
The gallant Majors then took charge
# the rebel flag of truce party, and
Idvanccd upon the city. I 1.'
- THE NATIONAL FLAG RAISED.
With thought and a flash they
Immediately proceeded to the dilapi-
lated structure wherein treason has
'un riot for the past four years, and
reeping to its summit, planted the
Stars and Stripes, where, but few
lours before, the detestable symbol Of
he crushed snake kissed the balmy
freezes of tho morning. The national
ymbols thus hoisted by the halyards
onsisted of two bright and tasteful
,ridirons from Companies L and III of
he 18th Massachusetts cavalry. The
olors of the Union were greeted by
prolonged cheers and other popular
of applause on the
,art of rebel civilians and contrabands.
ira. THE CITY on FIRE.
All the commercial part of the city
vas found to be in flames, Gen. Early
laviug ordered the destruction Of the
,ublic building, which order General
3reckinridge, rebel Secretary of War,
trove earnestly to have countermand-
d, but without avail.
EFFORTS TO RxIISGUIsU THE FIAMIs.
Major Stephens directed the alarm
'ells to DO sounded, and at once as
umed direction of the Fire Depart
nent Of tho city, consisting Of few
nen, two steam fire engines and four
worthless hand engines, and large
of hose ruined by the retreat
ng rebels.
The following is Major Stephens
rider upon the subject; rn
,nnla GENERAL oRDER-E0. /.
Jrrr OF RrcuMoND, Va, April B, 1855.
This city now being occupied by
federal forces, the officers of the Fire
and Police of the city will
Immediately report to the Mayors
'oom for instructions, for the purpose
# preserving property and order in
he city. by command of
Maj. Gen. GODFREY WEITIEI..
ArHERroS III. STEVENS, Jr., Major and
Provost Marshal 25th A. g..
I'D. aHf THE CITY SAVED.
The efforts to subdue the flames
we're arduous but finally successful,
md tonight the city is exceedingly
,uiet in all respects, under tho sway