The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-06
THE HERALD DISPATCHES.
OCCUPATION or RICHMOND.

Mr.. william n. Merrfam's Despatch.
Executive MANsIox on Jxyv DAvp,l
RICHMOND Va, April q 1905.
shave the national honor and pride to announce the
fall Of the Confederate capital and in unconditional
render to the gallant Major General Godfrey weitse and
the forces under his command, al seven O'Clock this
morning.
DETERMINATION DAVE AND CO. 70 KvACuAu.
II have been determined a. early a. Last week
Tuesday, At impressive wse council held here
composed Of Jefferson Davis, General Leo, the Con-
federate Cabinet and largo number OF tho leading
generals Of the rebel army within reach OF the
fallen city, that any attempt 70 longer hold those i'm
and powerfully constructed Qualifications, rang
ing In several lines OF outer, continuous and inner
lines Of works In the immediate front Of the
city, well ~ the city ITSELF was no longer
practicable and that immediate and general evacua-
ton ofthsm looking TO the surrender OF tho city to tho
forces the north bank Of the James most mpera.
lively demanded by the cxigencics growing out Of Gene
raj Grants splendid combinations
FIRST HumAnoy ov rtE WITHDRAWAL or THE EsExr.
At about three o'clock this morning General George
r. shepley chief Of staff Major General weitze felt
convinced from the statements Of the large number Of
deserters coming within then lines, confirmed by
dispatches from General Hartsans lines the Bermuda
'front.' that all the rebel works around Richmond were
being evacuated, and that Lee and HIS army and Jsn
Davis and his government had already taken up the
only available line OF retreat to the North Carolina
boundary and that the way clear for the occupancy
Of the rebel capital by the forces Of the United
States General wcitxcl tclcgraphsd those conclusions
TO Lieutenant General Grant, who replied instantly say
ing that he had doubt that General weitzcl could
occupy the city without the slightest difncuity.
SURRENDER
On the instant General weitssl so clear was his mind
upon this subject, despatched Major A. H Stevens, Of
the Fourth Massachusetts, cavalry, and Major 4. r.
Graves OF his sAn with forty cavalry investigate the
condition Of Affairs the roads leading 70 the rebel
works and thence 70 Richmond This party had scarcely
proceeded far within tho rebel lines when they espied
shabby carriage approaching the driver waving white
flag Approaching this vehicle II was found TO contain
Mayor Mayo, the head Of the Richmond city govern.
mcnt Judge Meredith Of the Superior Court Of Rich.
mond Judge Lyon and several other WORTHLESS of the
rebel persuasion who that they had come out
70 surrender the city to the competent authority This
took place within distance OF two miles from the city
after the Union majors had found their way through
lowing convcrsation:-
truce
Jupos MxRDrH-It 10 Mr. Mayo Mayor Of the city Of
Richmond
The Judge at the time introducing the Mayor and
oil Of bis associates 70 Major Stevens and Major Graves
Mayor Mayo then handed Major Stevens small slip Of
paper, upon which was written the following
proposed TO formally surrender 70 the federal au
ontes the city Of Richmond hitherto capital Of the
Ing u ny 10 this time.
The document UW anproved Of. and, Major Stevens sc