Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-06
rROHPETERsBUEG.
PETERSBURG, April 3.

The army of the Potomac has been in
and out of Petersburg this morning, mere
ly making a flying visit.
The rebels commenced eVscustlng last
night at 10 o'clock, and by o'clock this
morning we're across the river, having
burned about a million dollars worth OF
tobacco, the South Side railroad depot and
the bridges across the Appomattox- Our
troops charged the inner line Of works at
daylight, taking picket line, some hye
hundred men, prisoners.
The troops on entering the city behaved
most admirably, not more than half
dozen stores being entered by them, and
these mostly containing tobacco liquor,
&c.3
The provost guard soon arrived and es-
tablished order. The Mayor of the town
met the troops as they entered and handed
to the officer commanding the following
communication, offering to surrender the
city
Lieut. Gen. Z. S. Grant, COn'dg United
States forces, or Major General COnldg
T.. forces in front Of Petersburg;
GENERAL The city of Petersburg
having been evacuated by the Confederate
troops, we, a Committee authorized by the
Common Council, do hereby surrender the
city to the United States forces, with a
request for the protection of the persons
and property of its inhabitants.
We are respectfully
Your ohod,E- -snEslts, ---
"; W. THOMAS, Mayor, Com.
DARCY PAUL,
Protection was promised on the psrt of
our troops, and the citizens have no cause
of complaint, for certainly there is no IN =
stance on record where an army after lying
so long in front of place of go much I'M
portance, and losing so many men in ef-
forts to capture it, entered city in less
disorder and doing less damage to private
property, than in this case. The citizens
did not show themselves during the fore
part of the day, but after discovering that
our soldiers were orderly and well be-
haved, with no disposition to disturb any
one, they began to make their sppesrsn ce
at the doors and windows Of their residen-
ces, and, later in the day, even many e1'
pressed their joy quietly that the Confed-
crates had gone; hoping that the war
would soon be over.
For more than q month past, the rebel
troops have been receiving less rstionS
than ever before, only just enough being
brought to lsst from day to day. Citizens
say they have suffered much, but IT IS wei
to take such stories with coed deal OF al
lowsnce. The rebels managed TO get away
with all their artillery, excepting one ol
two old coIumbiads and q few heavy NOR
tars which they could not transport resdi
". A large number of men deserted anc
hid in town until cur troops entered, when
they made their appearance and were ia
ken into custody.
Il is believed they rstreated toward
Lynchburg or Danville, but they will hav
to make good time if they elude the pur
suit of our army, now flushed with victor.
and willing TO travel st any rate and an.
distance to head them oil.
The city presents a very cleanly and re
spectacle appearance. Many houses in tn
lower part of the city have been badly in
iured BY shot and shell, thrown from ou
batteries last summer, and since that tim
most of the houses located there have bee
vacated.
5 O'clock P. M.-Ever since mornin
our troops have been passing throug
westward, taking the COX ana hlVer ros1
to Sutherland station on the South Sid
railroad, where our headquarters are en-
camped tonight. AT this hour the res
guard are passing and the wagon trains 81
following.
The railroad from City Point here is t
be put in running order Immediately, an
although it is not expected permsne1
base will be established here, yet it will b
held as depot to deliver supplies to Il
srmy,so long as it is within reach. All tn
rolling stock of the railroad was run of t.
ward Richmond, but in this depsrtmel
they must have been very deficient, OF the
would not have burned so much tobacco.
A courier has arrived from Sherida
stating that the divisions that were cut O
and which it was expected would be eth
badly whipped or captured, had crossed Il
Appomsttox some ten or twelve mil
' above Petersburg, but he was tolloWin
I sk1rmishiug with their rear guard, and
!, pecting to have an engagement to-da
Troops are rapidly pushing on to his sss
y tancs, and before noon another victory oV
= the enemies of the Union may be game