The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-20

last aGleu. ..
*The poem was written on the reception
of the news Of the hero's death, (hence
the apostrophe to secessia,) but was not
published. Some months after the close of
the war, it was sent to the editor of the
Charleston Courier, but did not appear.
On the writer applying to have the MS.
returned, the editor replied that he knew
nothing and could hear nothing of it i'll
the Office.
Closing Scene OF the Wharf.-The Evn-
cuation OF Petersburg.
There is not much need to dwell
upon the scenes ofwhich these bright,
quiet days are anniversaries. No one
has forgotten yet; still, some notice
may be expected.
. At daybreak, on the morning of
the 1st of April, 1865, the cannonad-
ing, which along the lines on the i'm
mediate front of the city had been
continuous and severe, extended
along the whole line with redoubled
ferceness, until, by sunrise, from
the Appomattox to Five Forks, there
was scarcely fifty yards of ground
along the entertainments but had its
black-mouthed pieces belching forth
angry smoke, and lending the rever-
beration of its fearful thunders to the
maddening tumult.
Early in the morning, the rattle of
musketry began on the right, and
soon an unceasing roar told that the
battle was in earnest, and that the
spring campaign had begun. Gen.
Grants forces-two corps of infantry
and the cavalry under Sheridan-ad-
vanced in solid lines upon the en-
trenchments held by Pickett and
Bushrod Johnson's divisions, under
the command Of Lieut. Gen. R. H.
Anderson, and after several gallant
and Intellectual feint attacks, move
ment in column was made by Sheri-
dan to force passage between the
left flank of the Confederate infantry
and Fitz Lees feeble cavalry for con
tinuing that line. BY some error, q
gap had been left, which Sheridan
struck, and his troopers poured
through.
Pressing back toward the rear of
Lees cavalry, they swung to the left
upon the rear of Pickett's lines, and
ere long wild cheer rung from the
front, and long lines of empty
trenches, roads strewed with aban-
doned guns, and fields dotted with
hurrying, beaten men, showed that
the work was done-thnt Lees right
had been crushed. But this had not
been done at once. Night followed
speedily upon its accomplishment,
and the rumors of disaster which
reached Petersburg from the battle
field, though gloomy enough, were
not explicit of the total overthrow of
our forces, and slumber in the city
was as assured Of safety that night rs
had come.
Night brought with it no quiet, but
instead the streaming fuses and
bursting shells of new lombard
ment. Morning came, as bright and
smiling as any day of any spring
time. With light came sounds of
conflict, which grew louder and more
frightful. Did they not draw nearer:
1t sounded so. And soon strange
rumors filled the streets. The church
bells rang out their first call to pray
er. bnt no one needed the summons.
I'll . clear, sweet tones fell upon the
agony Of hearts that listened, as the
bird notes sounded to those who
mourn the dead. Men gathered in
groups around the corners, and look
ed, with straining eyes, toward the
clouds Of battle smoke that hung
around the town-stood silently, anG
listening to the dull reports of heavy
ordnance, and the sharp rattle o
musketry, upon which their fat'
hung trembling.
Men grew white in the agony o
suspense, and women wept.
The old town clock struck 8-th
breakfast hour-but the scanty meal
stood on the board untasted. TIL
houses were deserted, and eager qucs
tioners crowded around the men WIN
now came in, with haggard faces an'
wild eyes,.
What is it?
And one answered, "They hav
taken the River Salient"
And another, "Pickett and John
son were overwhelmed yesterday
their line broken, and their CON
mands broken and crushed-cut o
from the army and forced up til
country"
And another, Gibbons corp
Str,,oL U;Jcov'o eropt OF dow thi