Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-06
THE OCCUPATION OF PETERSBURG.
Conduct of the Inhabitanis-GeneraI Lee
Given up Hepe-Estimate Of the Rebel
Losses-Routes and Destination Of the,
Enemy, ...-t....- --. b. .-


twain. The elegant fighting Of the Ninth,
Sixth and Twenty fourth CORPS gained for rs
an entrance into and possession Of the main
rebel works west Of the Baxter road, leading
into Petersburg, with their guns and an i'm
mense number OF prisoners. Still further to
the left Sheridan was operating with his gr and
portion of the Second corps. The operations IONS
nearer Petersburg severed the rebel lines, leay-
ing the forces contending against Sheridan iso-
lated The whole right wing OF Lees army
being captured bodily. Vigorous pushing
gained fer us numbers of prisoners, but the
main force managed to withdraw in the d.
rection Of the Upper AppomattoX.
Pressing our advantages on the right, we
We're rapidly doubling the rebel lines up when
night interposed. giving them an opportunity
guns, tents and works as they had used and
occupied them, except such as we had pre-
viously captured and the road was left open
for our advance into the city, which was made
at AZ O'Clock this morning by Colonel Ralph
Ely's second brigade of Brevet Major General
Orlando B. Wilcex's first division Of the Ninth
corps, Major General Parke commanding. The
First Michigan Sharpshooters are the undis-
puted claimants OF the honor of the first entry
into the city.
Entering at the upper end of the main street
beautiful avenue, lined at first with elegant
dwellings, and lower down with blocks of
stores that would not look mean in Broadway,
to the Richmond railroad depot on the river, at
the lower end Of the street. Turning to the
right on Water street, and going one block. L
entered street leading to the river, across
ger bridge and the principal railroad bridge.
The latter had been thoroughly destroyed. Its
abutments had been blown down with pow
der, and the superstructure burned. The
wooden passenger bridge, known as the Lower
Bridge, had evidently been the last used by
the rebels, and was but just fired. Presuming
upon my recognized authority as an officer OF
high degree, sent the negroes Off after the
engines, and very soon had frst-class fire
brigade improyised and at work extinguishIng
the flames.
Just below this point was another railroad
bridge-a temporary affair, built by the mill
tary authorities tor our own accommodation
but as the track across it communicates with
all the railroads centering in Petersburg, 1t is
an important structure for us. This bridge the
rebels had forgotten or neglected to destroy.
1t was just as good as ever 1t was. The Camp
of the town, was wholly destroyed.
Most of the railroad property in the city was
destroyed. The depots were not fired, but
the rolling, stock that could not be got away
was burned
had much curiosity to see the effect of the
numerous shellings to which the town had
been subjected, and rode through that portion
of the city most exposed. 1t was certainly
wonderful that so little damage had been done.
Nearly every other building in some localities
had been struck; but, with the exception OF
now and then chimney knocked down, or q
hole through the building that few dollar
would repair, the injuries were scarcely per-
ceptible. 1 found the people living in the ex-
snd eld ssa
people either had been killed by the canonnad-
ing in the town. Some sad cases were cited,
but they numbered in all less than a score.
BY six O'Clock the town was quite awake
and alive. Troops were pouring In from all
directions, shouting, singing!anj cheering, but
ns bsrs mos. osoery ana
Cling, no pillaging, no destruction Of property
or intrusion Of private residences. Guards
were stationed tnickly IN all directions with
all buildings, public or private, and protect all
property from destruction. The cItiZenswere
showing themselves in large numbers upon
the door steps, in the doors and at the windows
Of the houses, indicating that but few, II any
had run away, while most Of them manifested
in the expression Of their faces gladness at.
On the main business streets there was every
appearance Of thrift. Though the stores were
not generally opened at SO early an hour in the
ters were down, considerable stocks Of goods,
while all the business portion Of the town had
a commercial look.
General Lee was in Petersburg MP to last
night, experimenting the withdrawa Of his
troops, but was careful not to say in what di-
rection he was going. When asked hy come
told them that that would do no good, as Rich
mond was also being evacuated. He &C.
knowledged his inability to hold Virginia any
longer, and seemed very much depressed.
OF this boasted army of veteran troops, the
last hope of the rebellion, not less than twenty
five thousand have fallen into our hands as
prisoners of war These have been captured
on the battle field es the fruit of severe fighting
Twelve thousand and five hundred Of them
had been delivered at City Point and disposed
of up to last evening. So rapidly were they
guard them, and Admiral Porter volunteered
the services Of his sailors and marines for that
duty.
l have no date upon which to base an esti.
n n in 10 ks hnS
on every hand they are reported to be heavy.
Ordinarily So per cent. Is q fair average OF
losses in general engagement of any magni-
the lack of spirit in the rebel ranks, which
caused them to shrink from the fight and not
stand up so brarely as on former occasions,
per cent. That gives from 5000 to $4,000 killed
and wounded-say 5000, which, added to the
%, 600 captured, makes 10000, more than half
the entire army, at the maximum estimate OF
its strength, or three. .fcurths at the minimum
estimate.
These estimates leave from $4,000 to 10000
and at large. Add to this say 10000 occupying
the defences Of Richmond, making from $4,000
to 10000, the sole survivors Of the grand army
of Northern Virginia. These are divided into
not less than four distinct fugitive bands, each
seeking safety for itself alone, with no settled
purpose or plan Of junction, and no rest afferd-
ed them by their unrelenting pursuers to form
plans. -.
Sheridan's success at the Five Forks on Sat-
urday cut Lees right wing off, since which
time it has not been heard of. Doubtless it
was then understood by them that defeat meant
abandonment of the Petersburg and Richmond
lines, and rightly considering Sheridans flank
movement virtual defeat, these fellows made
off with ali haste. Their disappearance has
been considered mystery up to this time, the
rebels themselves supposing them captured
entire.
The vigorous push by the 9th, 9th and oath
corps yesterday morning, penetrating ana
piercing the rebel lines, caused another sepa-
ration of their forces, cutting off q second large
body. OF the flight OF these we have some
trace. A portion OF them started for the Apo.
mattox, and succeeded in crossing that stream
by means OF pontoon train at q point some
ten or fifteen miles above Petersburg, while
the rest, being hard pressed, could not get
across, and fed up the river on its southern
bank. Sheridan is still pursuing and pushing
them, capturing more prisoners at every step.
A third detachment, consisting Of those who
held, or sought to hold, the works Immediately
In front Of Petersburg, escaped through that
city.
The fourth detachment, those in the defenses
Of Richmond, are also fugitives, it now being
hat a MIA ic okoA