Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-04-06


Potomac has been in and out of Petersburg
thin morning. Merely Tying visit q
The rebels commenced eyRcuating last
night at ten clock, and by three o'clock
this morning was across the river, having
burned about n million dollars worth Of tobac-
co, the Southside railroad debot, and the
bridges across the Appomattox
Our troops charged the inner line Of works
at daylight, taking picket line Of some 500
men prisoners,
The troops on entering the city behaved
most admirably, not more than half dozen
stores being entered by them, aud these most
ly containing tobacco, cigars, liquor, &c. The
provost guard soon arrived and established
order. s...
The Mayor of the town met the troops as
they entered, and handed TO the officer co m
mandiug the following communication offering
the surrender of the city:
Lieutenant General Grant, Commanding The
armies of the United States, or the Major
General Commanding United States forces
in front Of Petersburg;
The city OF Petersburg having been evaeu-
ated by the Confederate troops, we, com.
mittee authorized by the Common Council, do
hereby surrender the city to the United States
forces, with a request for the protection Of the
persons aud property Of its inhabitants.
We ara respectfully your OBJ Mt servants,
W. w, TowNEs, Mayor.
ID. ARcY Paul, Committee
Protection was pronounced on the part OF
the troops, and the citizens have no cause Of
complaints tor certainly there is no instance
on record where an army, after lying so long
in front Of place Of so much Importance,
and losing go many MEN in efforts to capture
it, entered uity with less disorder, and doing
less damage to private property than in this
case. iH.
The citizens did not show themselves du-
ring the fore part of the day, but after discov.
ering that our soldiers we're orderly, and we'll
behaved, with no disposition to disturb or an.
noy any one, they began to make their ap-
pearauce at the doors and windows Of their
residences, and later in the day even many
expressed their joy quietly, that the Confeder
ates had gone and hoping that the war would
soon be over
For over month past the Confederate
troops have been receiving less rations than
ever before, only just enough being brought
to last from day TO day.
Citizens say they have suffered much, but
it is well TO take snch stor es with good deal
of allowance. . ~
The rebels managed to get away with all
their artillery, excepting one or two old col
umbiads, and few heavy mortars, and ex-
cepting what we took from them which they
could not transport readily
A large number Of men deserted aud hid
in town until our troops entered when they
made their appearance, and we're taken into
custody.
1t is believed the rebel army rstreated to-
ward Lynchburg or Danville, but they will
have to make good time If they elude the
pursuit Of our army, now flushed with ycto-
ry and willing to travel at any rate and any
distance TO head them off
The city presents very cleanly and re-
spectacle appearance. Many houses in the
lower part OF the city have been badly injured
by shot and shell thrown from our batteries
last summer, and since that most Of the
houses located there have been vacated.
Five o'clock p M---Ever since morning
our troops have been passing through the city
westward, taking the Cox and River roads to
Smithland station, on the Southside Railroad,
where our headquarters are in camp tonight
At this hour the rear guard are passing, and
wagon trains are following The railroad
from City Point here is to be put in running
order Immediately, and although it is not ex.
pected proper base will be established here,
yet ii will be held as depot to deliver sup
plies to the arms. SO long as itis within reach.
All rolling stock OF the railroad was run on
toward Richmond, but in this department
they must have been very deficient or they
would not have burned 90 much tobacco.