The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-31
pETEPsBURG. July 80. 1868.

PETERSBURG, July OO, 1COc'
In my letter of yesterday brief reference
was made to personal collision between
two of our prominent citizens. They were
brought up before the Mayors Court this
morning to answer for the offence; and
considering their age and uniform peaceful
and exemplary character, it must have been
almost as painful to their friends as to
themselves that they should have rendered
themselves amenable to the law: MIR. John
E. Lemoine has been resident here for
ffty-fve years, and is hard on seventy
years of age. Mr.. W. D. Clarke is few
years his junior, and he, too, has been liv-
ing here long time. 1t is not known
that either of them had ever been en-
gagged in broil before but in an I'M
guarded moment the tempter got the
better of them, when one word brought ON
another, which was speedily followed by
blows. They were each fined ten dollars
and required to give security to the amount
of $3.50 to keep the peace for twelve months.
Mr.. W. H. Lemoine, who fastened across
the street to the assistance Of his father,
but who was restrained by bystanders from
interference in the matter, was also re-
auired to give bond of similar amount, but
no fine was imposed On him.
Another collision occurred to-day, but as
it was between per5ons of warmer blood, it
was not go much to be wondered at. The
parties were Waverly Ragland, son Of
Reuben Ragland, and S. FL. Semon. They
were both taken Immediately before the
Mayor, and it appearing that Ragland was
the aggressor, he was fined ten dollars and
bound over in the sum of $3.50 for twelve
months. Senion acted on the defensive,
and was therefore not fined, but bound over
in q like sum for the same length of time.
Up to and including to-day the amount of
fines collected by the Mayor during the
current month is $3.50. In the discharge of
this part of his duty it must be admitted
that he has administered the law with COM
mendable justice-even to fning himself ;
or, at any rate, organizing court to do 1t
for him.
The Blandford Sunday school, under the
auspices of the Rev. B. P. Warwick, went
down the river yesterday morning on pic
mic excursion to Westover. The whole
party numbered about two hundred. The
hospitable proprietor-Major Drewry-gave
them cordial reception, inviting them to
make free use of his grounds, and bidding
them enjoy themselves generally. They
returned last night, highly gratifed with
the experience of the day.
To-day is the anniversary of the explo-
sion at the crater and Of the terrible battle
which Immediately followed. Perhaps there
was no event of the war preceding the final
collapse that produced SO profound sensa-
ton both far and near. In the gray of the
morning the citizens were aroused from
their slumbers by fearful sound resembling
nothing they had ever heard before. Soon
the intelligence spread that mine had
been sprung on the lines, and that whole
Petersburg company Captain Pegram's)
had been buried in the bowels of the earth.
believe it has never been accurately ascer-
tanned to this day how many men persisted
on that occasion. Various numbers have
been stated, and the latest estimate have
heard was about ESQ. An awful chasm was
made in the earth, and the subsequent fight
ing was on and around the very banks.
When Malone made the assault to retake
the lines, q large number Of Federal sol
diers, including many negroes, sought
refuge in the depths Of the crater, which,
when the battle was over, was said to be
covered several deep with dead bodies.
Altogether, it was day and scene never
to be erased from the memory. s.