Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-04-21
ARMY CORRESP0EDEN
R1cHMoNn. Anril sth. 1s65.

Il RICHMOND. April Sth, 1865.
~ Mr.. EDIToR;-This being an idle day with
ame, viii, therefore, give you, in as brief a
manner as possible, some idea of the recep
Stion Of the Federal forces by the people of
sRichmond
4 On the morning of the Sd, we (the 1st Bri-
9gade, 4d Division 24th Army Corps receiv-
aed orders to pack up aud be ready to march
zsat moments warning. This being done, inI
Va few minutes came the order ''fall in, andI
: and next came forward - when we moyedI
Aoff at a quick step in the direction of theI
sRebel works, and when within about 500 yards
3of their Notifications we were halted, and or
sdered to load our pieces, after which we again
moved forward, expecting every minute toI
hear their guns open on us. But to our great!
aiastonishment, and no less qualification, found
3both guns and works deserted. They howl
lever, being kind enough to leave a note,
which / saw a sergeant pick up, asking u.s.
livery politely to 'come in, but not to stay.
After getting safely through the first line of
works we began to look anxiously for the sec
I sond line, which, on approaching was found
to be deserted like the first 1t now became
aevident to all, that the evacuation of Rich
5ulond was taking place, which thought sol
stimulated the boys that they seemed to for
sget that they had heavy knapsack on their
back.
We were now within three miles of thes
scity, and yet not "Reb'' was to be seer,
except here and there straggler, who was
T------ sfos- srI'SaA
the latter being the most likely. We now
passed through the third line of works, andEE
found then as the two former ones, only mott
las strong. We did not halt to inspect them,
lbut ION to Richmond went just at this
time and place, our already bright prospects,
lof occupying the Rebel Capital were madeb
SstiE brighter by dispatch carrier who galIop-S
led past us, shouting, ''Richmond has iusts
surrendered
A few more minutes, and we found our
lselves entering the lower part of the City byE
Main street, which now became a scene off
excitement The people came forth from
|their houses to bid us welcome, some clap
ping eACAA AsboSy OtncES SGuulHE up CNeefsH
that seemed to rend the air, whilst agedS
mothers came forward, and so filed were
they with JOY, that they burst into resistlesss
Aood of tears. Yet onward we proceeded II
and as we went, flags that the dust of fours
years had settled on, were brought forth andE
unfurled to the breeze, amid the deafenings
sound of bursting shells from the burning ar
senal, and the roaring of flames, and shouts
of myriads. On arriving near the centre of.
the city we halted, but for moment only, ass
it did not appear safe to remain there long,
on account of the bursting shells und fallings
houses. We, the 2o6th p v, were thena
marched off to the northern outskirts of thea
city, where we unslung knapsacks, and them
sent out patrolling parties through the city, Il
whose duty was to order all citizens ty theirs
homes, and pick up stragglers After these
parties returned We were again marched back
to tho State House yard, where we encampeds
for the night, the Stars and Stripes foatineE
proudly above us, upon the once Rebel capi
tol. Yours respectfully.
j. A. S0NGSTER,
Serg't. Co. X, 206th ?. ". III