The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-06-27
EVACUATION OF HICHMOlD.
ny 4 VIRGINIA LADY.

We take from the columns Of the New
York Sunday Times the following in.
tensely thrilling description Of the eyac.
nation of Richmond, from the pen of
lady who was an eyewitness OF the
scene. Entirely apart from the interest
which surrounds it as touching nc.
count Of the fall of the Confederate cap
itol, its merit in literary point ofview
is lis most noticeable feature. As a
penpieturc, it is worthy Of place be-
side the finest efforts of Bulwer.
We'll" said |, inquripgly, as on the
Pad Of April, 1865, my ''eolorod' nurse
entered the room, on her return from a
foraslng expedition throughout the city.
There amt n1thin' to be had, mis-.
SIS. ! offered twenty eight dollars for
halfpound Of poor inidlin an dey
wouldn't let me have it, no how"
"Neyer mind" ! responded, cncour.
agingly. I'VE can have some sorghum
aud corn cake for dinner to-day, and for
to. .n,orrow--"
hcsitatcd, for even had but little
idea Of where to morrow's dinner was TO
come from, or Of what it would consist.
We were afraid, now, to 20 ou, into the
suburbs TO gather wild salad" /" so near
were the Yankees lowering about and
closing around the besieged town. For
some days rumors had prevailed that
our troops were about ovaeuatng the
city, on aceountof having no provisions;
but to this no one paid any serious at
ieution, so improbable did it appear to
Us that Redmond could ever be yolun-
iarily given up to the enemy, after so
many gallant defenees.
Our scanty meal partaken of, | step.
ped out to call upon friend on the next
street, and consult about some means of
procuring provisions. They had, knew.
ceased to issue meal in the public IA
tions. aud the supply of -four was di.
minished Que half Prices had also
within the last two days risen enormous.
ly and there was now, had been told,
actual starvation in the city.
As | passed along through the gas
llt streets, ! was struck By something
unusual in the aspect of Fittings. Poo
pie passed hurriedly; groups met for
an instant at the corners, and separated
with a few hastily spoken words. Long
lines OF army wagons wound up Main
aud Broad streets and ut the ware.
house buildings used for army stores,
bales aud bundles OF goods were piled
on the pavement aud being pitched out
of the window and rapidly transferred
to the Wagons in waiting. Presently
there came marching up the street in
terminable lines ofiniantry, while troops
of cavalry dashed past, and wagons,
ambulances, and ammunition cars fol.
lowed. What could it all mean?
stood on the sidewalk as the troops
passed close to me, in the full glare of
gas-lamp. What was il so strange in
their ihces: Had there been battle
without the city, aud were our troops
defeated! But no: there was none of
the eager excitement which they always
manifested even under defeat, They
passed with listless, mechanical mieu.
and fixed aud stony look, as OF men
but half alive. Some there were who
walked erect aud proadly, but with CON-
pressed lips aud stern, rcsolute con-
traction OF their pale features, such as
l had observed in those who followed
the corpse Of Stoncwall Jackson. Aud
with this thought terrible fear fell
upon my heart. | tnrned aud uncon-
seiously laid my hand upon the arm OF
one OF the crippled confederate soldiers
who was standing by,
"h General Ice dead ?" | asked,
breathlcssly.
dead No, thank God ="
"Then what does all this mean 20
lie looked ut me without answering.
There was slight tremor on bis lips,
and an expression almost of pain in his
eyes. His comrade replied to my in
quiry:
"Thcy are retrcaiing before Grant-
cyacuating tho city"
! icit ior moment Ike one stunned
by blow.
"lhe Yankees will be hero IN a isw
hours resumed the man, with q still,
stern look Have YOU prosertorf I"
aNo.n
'sGod hays mercy upon our uomeuw
said the first, lls can die liko men ii
il comes 20 that; but the Nolls.-o.p,
women" :"
And here The socoudwho had spoken.
"a tail, dark,eyed Louisiauian---iifsing
h's hand above his head, uttered slowly
and solcmnly the bitfcrcst curse that
sscr fell from the lips Of msu sgaInst
lis enemy.