The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-29
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THE EVACUATION or FAY
ETTEVILLE.
The following interesting account Of
the evacuation Of Fayetteville is taken
from the Biblical Recorder:
When General Sherman started on his
raid from Savannah, it was generally be-
l;eved in military circles that he would
follow the course Of the railroad from
Columbia to Charlotte. Preparations
were made to check him before he
reached the latter place. On arriving
at Chester, he turned his column to the
right, captured Camden, and moved on
the main road to Cheraw. General Har-
dee was compelled to evacuate the town
and retreat to Rockingham. He was
then ordered by General Johnston to
fall back upon Fayetteville. On reach
ing the vicinity, on Wednesday, the 9Th,
he took. . position six miles from town,
where he was reinforced by the CON-
,nand Of, Lieutenant General Hampton.
It was believed that stand would be
made and the place defended. 1t did
seem that the splendid arsenal, the seven
cotton and three oil factories, etc., made
it / place of sufficient importance to the
Government to make more determined
defence. On Thursday the artillery and
trains began to cross the river. Then it
was announced that General Johnston
had left; and all hope of defence was
abandoned. Thursday was a gloomy
day. The weather was inclcment, the
people sad, the soldiers disappointed
The citizens began to secrete their pro-
visions, plate, jewelry, etc. The ladies
had provisions cooked for the soldiers,
and the citizens who were likely to be
molested began to prepare to leave.
Friday was fast day. In the morning
It rained heavily. The church bells
called the people to the house of prayer,
but few obeyed the call. About noon
tho clouds passed away, and the sun
shone as brightly and the evening was
Is calm as il the sound of war had never
been heard in the land. Late in tho after
moon it was announced that the infantry
were intrenching. and this led many to
believe that the town was not lost. The
wish was father to the thought. To those
conversant with military movements it
indicated an immediate retreat. About
sunset, nearly five hundred prisoners,
captured in the morning, were brought
in and hurried to the front. AS the
shades of darkness began to cover the
old town, the quarterinaster and ord
nance wagons moved towards the river,
and the infantry began to pass to the
front. Those of us who intended leaving
were assured that We could not remain
till morning; and we retired to our
homes and partook of our evening re
past With feelings that are not easily
described. Loved ones separated; ia
theirs embraced their children; husbands
and wives parted-but must stop. The
grief of such partings is too sacred for
the public eye. On hurrying to the
streets, l found them thronged with SOL
diers. 1t took me three hours to Cross
the bridge, just one mile from my resi-
dence. On crossing, We repaired to the
houseNof friend and sought few hours
repose. :.
Saturday morning we returned to the
river. Soldiers and citizens were hur-
rying across. The enemy had entered
the town and been driven back in con-
fusion. The cavalry on the outposts
:. were drawn in and line formed for the
defence of the bridge. The troops
crossed in very orderly, quiet manner.
Just before the last detachment of ca
valry crossed, the steamers and fats in
the river were fired. These well known
favorites foated from their moorings as
the flames shot up towards the heavens.
The enemy, in force, entered the town
and commenced firing upon the rear Of
our retreating column.
The confusion among the citizens was,
Of course, intense. In q few moments
the streets were cleared, and the troops
engaged in spirited fight at long range.
just as -so0p IS the last detachment
crossed, the bridge was fired. In few
moments it was enveloped in flames, and
fell with crash Chat resembled the roar
Of artillery. A 32-pounder was posted
in front Of the bridge, SO as to command
= portion Of Hay street, and all that por.
ton Of it which passes through what
Is called Campbellton. The street was
ina few moments crowded with mounted
men. The roar Of the flames that were
consuming the bridge, boats and old
warehouses. thu cxultant cheers of the
inyedsrs. the screams of excited females,
the hallooing Of thoughtless boys, eli
broke upon the stiffness Of lovely
morning. The enemy rush in triumph
towards tie bridge, needless of danger,
when = solid shot from Z 32-pounder