Nebraska advertiser., 1866-07-26

fred the flames seized on the neighbcr.
ing buildings and soon Involved a wide
and widening area; the cOnaagration
passed rapidly bsoond control and in
this mad fire, this wild, unnecessary des-
lructiOn of their property, the citizens Of
Richmond bad fitting sOuvenir.of the
imprudence and recklessness Of the de-
parting Administration.
Morning broke on a.scene never 10 be
forgotten. l. was a strange picture
impossible TO deseribe-ihe smoke and
glare of The fire mingled with the golden
beams of the rising sun. The great
warehouse on the Basin was wrapped IN
flames the FIRE was reaching TO whole
blocks of buildings and as the smoke
rose majeslically above the horizon, il
FURNISHED the firing of smoke with lurid
and golden glory. Curious crowds watch
ed the FIRE. Its roar sounded in the earsi
it leaped from strest to streets pillagers
were busy at their avoCation, and in the
hot breath of the fire were fingers as Of
demons conlending for prey. s.
The sun was an hour or more apOve
the horizon, when suddenly there ran up
the whole length of Main street the cry
of Yankees % "Yankees" The up
per part of this street was choked with
crowds of pillagers-men provided with
drays, others rolling barrels up the
street, or bending under heavy burdens,
and intermixed with them women and
Children with tubs, buckets, and tin pans.
AS the cry of yankees" was raised,
this motely cry-crOwl tore up the street,
cursing, screaming, trampling upon each
other, alarmed by an enemy not yet in
sight, and madly seeking to exTicaie
themselves from imaginary dangers.
Presently. beyond this crowd, fallOwing
up the tangled mass of plunders, but not
pressing or interfering with them, was
seen a small body Of Federal cavalry,
riding steadily along. Forty Massashu-
sets troops, dispatched BY General We
itzel, to investigate the condition of aft.
airs, had ridden without hindrance into
Richmond. At the corner of Eleventh
street they prOks into trot for the pub
lie square, and in a few moments their
! guidOns were planted on the capitol, and
filtered a strange spectacle in the early
morning light.
! A few hours thereafter, and Weiizeps
troops were pouring through the streets
of the city. A lady, who witnessed the
grand Federal entree, and has given a
very graphic account of 1t, thus describes
portion Of the scene: stretching
from the Exchange Hotel 10 the slopes
of Church Hill, down the bin, through
the valley, up the ascent to the hotel,
was the array, with its unbroken line Of
blue, fringed with bright bayOnets
Strains Of martial music, flushed coun.
tenances, waving Of swords, betokened
the victorious army. AS the line turned
at the Exchang Hotel into the upper
street the movement was the signal fol
wild burst of cheers from each regi
ment. Shouts from few negros were
the only response. Through throngs O.
sullen spectators; along the line Of FIRE
in the midst of the horrors of conhagra
lion. increased By the explosion Of she'll
left by the relreatiDg army /; through tb'
vast erial auditorium convulsed with h,
5 commotion Of frighlfuI sounds, moves
E the garish procession Of the grand army
with brave music, and bright banners
E and wild cheers. A regiment Of negr
D cavalry swept by the hotel. As the
D turned the street corner thsy drew thei
sabers with savage shouts, and the bloc
3 mounted even in my women's heart wit
quick thrObs Of defiance"
D Meanwhile, the FIRE ragged with un
checked fury. The entire business pal
: Of the city was on fire; stores, warehOu.
e es, manufactures, mills, depols an
d bridres-all, covering acres; ihs con
\ tinuous thunder Of exploding shells sOuE
g ded iu The sea Of fre and in the midi
: Of it was the long, threatening. hOstiI
e army entering to seize its prey. A
g during the forenoon, fame and smok
e snd burning brands, and showers Of BID
e zing sparks filled the air, spreadiI
St still further the destruction, until il hl
K swept before it every bank, every au
d tion store, every insurance Office, near
10 every commission house and most Of d
r fashionable stores. The atmosphere VI
20 choking men, women and Children Cro'
= ded into the square Of ihe capitol for
ar breath of pure air; bat ID was not 10
ie obtained even there. ana one trayers
o. the green slopes blinded BY the cinds
a and struggling for breath. Alrea
lel piles Of furniture had been collect
in here, been dragged from The ruins
rs burning houses; and il neOuth arrang