The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-04-14
The Occupation Of Richmond.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washinhton. AID

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washinhton, ADJ
5, 1920 P. M.-Maj. Gen. Dix: The
following details respecting the capture Of
Richmond and its occupation by the Tn.
ion forces have been telegraphed to this
department from that city:
Gen. Weitzcl learned at 3 o'clock in
the morning of Monday that Richmond
was being evacuated, and at daylight mov-
ed forward, first taking care to give his
men breakfast in the expectation that they
might have to fight. He met no opposi-
ton and on entering the city was greeted
with hearty welcome from the mass of
the people. The mayor went out to meet
him and to surrender the city, but missed
him on the road. Gen. Weitzel finds
much suffering and poverty among the
population. The rich as well as the poor
are destitute of food. He is about to is
sue supplies to all who take the oath.
The inhabitants now number about 20, 600
half of them of African descent. 1t is
not true that jeff. Davis sold his furniture
before leaving, it is all in his house, where
| am now writing. He left by the Dan
vile railroad. All the members of Con-
gress escaped. Senator Hunter has gone
home, Carson Smith went with the army
and Judge Campbell remains.
Gen. Weitzel took 1000 prisoners be-
sides the wounded, numbering 5000 in
nine hospitals. l Icaptured cannon to the
number of at least 500 pieces, Five
thousand muskets have been found in one
lot. Thirty locomotives and three hun
dred cars were found. The Petersburg
railroad bridge is totally destroyed and
that of the Danville railroad partially, SO
that connection with Petersburg can easily
be made. All the rebel vessels are des-
troyed except an unfinished ram which
has her machinery in her perfect. The
Tredgar works were unharmed, and the
machinery is here under Gen. Weitzers Or
ders. Libby prison and Castle Thunder
have also escaped the fire and are filled
with rebel prisoners of war Most of the
editors have fled, especially John Mitch
ell. The Wig appeared yesterday as Il
Union paper, with the name of the form
er proprietor at the head. Gen. Weitzel
describes the reception of the President
yesterday us enthusiastic in the extreme.
f. NJ STANTON. Secretary of War
TIE BURNING OF RICHMOND.
WASHINGTON. April G, 1865.
The public warehouses were fired by
Gen. Ewell, just prior to the evacuation
1t is asserted that Gen. Breckinridge re-
monstrated against exploding the maga-
zine by which many lives were lost. inclu.
ding nearly every inmate Of the almshouse
These unfortunate victims were sleeping
when the match was applied. and awoke
in eternity. 1t was unquestionably tn,
intention of jeff Davis and his associate,
to have burned the entire city
The wind blew freshly from the south
carrying burning shingles on to Other
roofs, and by noon on Tuesday the flame:
had consumed every building between
Main street to the river from 9TH street
unto 18th street. with other buildings
Among the prominent ediiices burned arc
the fine Mechanics Institute which the
rebels used as War Department, the oil,
State Court House on Capital Square
Haxelrs flour mills, the Enquirer printing
office on 18th street. the Dispatch office OF
corner of 18th and Main streets, and the
banks
The fire was checked by blowing up tn,
Traders Bank, at noon, by order of Gen
Weitzel
Before the rebels left. their straggler
plundered nearly all of the stores on Mair
street, helping themselves to jewelry, hats
shoes and clothing, and destroying wha
RIcuMoND. April t.
The rebellion has gone down at blow
The rebel capital is ours. jeff Davis
Breckenridge and Toombs are fugitivcs
: without a country or home. Richmon,
is in ruins. Ewell set it on fire when h
. left yesterday morning. Between twent,
and thirty squares are destroyed.
When | entered the city yesterday i
was sea of fire. Millions of dollars will
not cover the loss. But few dwelling
were burned, but nearly all the busines
portion is completely destroyed.
All the banks, several churches, news
: paper offices, both bridges across tn
l James, and all the tobacco houses jeff
Davis left in such haste that he left hi
e private papers. CARLETON.
JEFF. DAVIS ESCAPE.
1t is stated that jeff Davis and hi
family, and the other rebel officers wit
their families, did not leave Richmon
: until early on Monday morning, and tha
had Gen. Weitzers troops made for tn
railroad depot after they entered the city
the whole party might have been captur
ed. 1t is also reported that when Davi
: received Lees dispatch at ten o'clock O
Saturday night, announcing the turning G
l. his right wing by Sheridan apd his pur
;, pose to retreat upon Danville, the rebe
President would not believe it was genu
;, inc, and charged the messenger with play
ing an April fool trick upon him.
JEFF's vALEDICTORY.
The following is supposed to be JEFF
+ valedictory on quitting his capital:
Whereas, in the course of inhuma
: Yankee events the capital Of the confede,
ate states of America no longer affords an
healthy residence for the members of til