Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-05
THE CAPTURE OF RICHMOND.
Interesting Details

CITY POINT, Va, April 3, A. M.-Writing
last night from the lines Of the army, spoke
OF events as accomplished which had not then
transpired, but although so wrote, the spirit
OF prophecy was not upon me. spoke OF the
capture OF Richmond and Petersburg, events
then yet 10 be enacted, but now as fully passed
into history as Salamis 1t req uired no Daniel
to last night say that Petersburg and Rich.
mond were once more under the shield Of the
old banner Of beauty and glory. Lees army,
the bulwark that for tour years had beaten MS
crushed, they were ready as ripe fruit to fall
When night fell yesterday, the military sit.
uation was briefly thus-Parke's historic
corps was holding the captured works direct
Iy in front OF and on the south side Of Peters.
burg. Wilcox, with the First Division, lying
next to the Appomattox River and nearest the
city; next Hariranft then the Second Division,
commaE ded by Potter until he was wounded,
and afterwards by Grifen The Sixth Corps
formed a junction with Potter, and our lines,
instead OF stretching away off to the south
west; turned Immediately northward and
touched the Appomattox again four or five
miles above the city. Lee was already engaged
IN the work OF evacuation, and had been dur
ing all the afternoon. Great fires had been
burning in the city.
The flames were seen from our lines on the
were visible from any point in the surround
ing country. That General Grant kne w yes
terday that Lee was attempting to withdraw,
the movements OF Sheridan with his cavalry,
GrifeD, with the 5th corps; and HUMPHREYS,
with the I'd sufficiently indicated These bodies
were not wanted before Petersburg, were not
Road, east Of Burgess Mills, with the excep.
ton OF Sheridan who, was already sweeping
upon Burkesyllle at his terrible pace Exactly
f one 20 ano on Sorps are TINS morning It
the fact that General Grant has turned his
horses head westward and will establish
head quarters tonight some W here near Suth-
eriand, which is ten miles west OF Petersburg,
il Is easy enough TO see that Lee has no easy
task before HIM in attempting TO escape
Having merely limited the general information
and leaving the events Of the day to be mar.
rated by your other correspondents, pass to
last night, when the Rebellion seemed expiring
in the midst Of awful throes The first mart Of
24th corps, west Of Petersburg, and the 9th
corps on the south, were called on to
sustain only sharp picket skirmish.
petersburg was illuminated here and there
from the remnants Of the great fires of the af.
ternoon, and occasionally a new but minor
cennagration would break out, as if some law.
less spirits were amusing themselves by burn.
ing private dwellings. These were the only
unusual signs in and about the town until near
daylight or, TO be exact as to hour, a. O. clock
q. m. The signs OF the enemy GA our frcnt
dying away by degrees, Gen. Wilcox was or.
dered forward with the LIST division of the 9th
corps. Advancing cautiously at first, and no
enemy being found in his works, the lsc Mich .
igan sharpshooters was pushed rapidly into
the town. This regiment, thus the first OF our
troops TO enter the city, encountered 3 small
rear guard of the enemy in the act OF leaving
the city. On the approach OF the lst the
rebels fed in greater haste, but not until they
had received a voiley. These were the last
shots fred for Petersburg.
Doubtless troops from the 9th and 2ith corps
entered the city from the west, but l am with
out definite information from that quarter to so
late an hour. 80
For the sake Of continuity, in the narrative
n1eaent the story OF Petersburg down to the
maj act, ont the sublimity of the night was up
the James.
w rss ne so%Isss Perry lying
gfnis and Rappahannock have for a inno tim a
been lying in the river some distance aboys
Hewlett House, but In plain sight
At three O'Clock this morning the watch On
board Che Perry saw dark object nassinr Nv ~
1T was grappled and proved to be the 20 n 80 ~
BY the rebels TO moor alongside their xssssls
when in need Of repairs. II had an tbs soois
: on board. Here the scene shifts to Richmond
here were the first positive signs OF intendsd
evacuation. Armour later and the earth snoos
N by volcanic eruption. Here at City Point
= fhs terrible concussioo shook the frail build :
apgs IN every timber, and awakened every
weary sleeper. The slsaN as viewed from tie