Litchfield enquirer., 1869-09-02
MY EXPERIENCE OF EVACUATION
 45a7 DAY AND WEEK IN .rf~ @ a9Tt RICHMOND. Za f@aEai e'
BY s. A. BROOK.

BY s. A. BROCK.
 The spring weather of 1865 at the South was ushered in unusually early, and never, in my recollection, more beautifully. The 2d of April was Sunday. I rose from my bed feverish and excited; but when threw up the window of my chamber and looked abroad, despite severe physical indisposi- tion, soothing calmness stole over my spirits that. for the time, robbed me of all sense of suffering. had never seen the sun shine more softly fair. nor the azure of the sky more cloudless. The gardens were brilliant with blossoms and the air redolent with their odors. The waters of James river rippling cheerily over the seemed to send up the cry, ''Let every thing that hath breath, praise the sLord?'' All nature waSchanting sublime Gloria in Ercstsis. and appealed to the heart and voice for glad hesannas. With surround inRs so beautifully calm and peaceful it was impossible to imagine that evil impended over our devoted city. The growlings of the cannon were hushed, the rattling of cavalry through the streets, no changing of
 
 music of the church bells. the busy tread of the worshippers, and the gurgling of the waters over tue falls; nothing to forebode the destruction that hung,a yelled demon, over the capital of the Southern Confede- racy. s -.D sa2Zfe see.g sii5 --.
 At our church it was Communion Day. Sick as was, and under injunctions from my physician not to go out, my thoughts reverted pleasantly to the services at St. Paul's, just one month previous. At that time General Lee was facing the enemy at the deadly breach, and President Davis and secretary Trenholm facing contingen- cies, perhaps more dreadful.
 Feeling unable to exert myself further than in some necessary attentions to my invalid father, then confined to his bed from stroke of paralysis, lay down. up- on aacouch in his room. About ten o'clock in the morning my brother left us, with ln- structions to keep quiet-telling me that l needed rest and freedom from all excite ment; that was in danger of severe spell of illness unless could have made my mind and body at ease. We were watched over as tenderly as pair of in- fants by a kind and faithful servant, and soothed by the opiate, l dozed in blissful of evil. s-aT 20 U About one o'clock, wholly unannounced. little niece burst into our room, and with pale face and eyes dancing with excite ment, she bent over me aud whispered. ;. Richmond is to be evacuatedp' ' set
 listened carelessly, for was altogeth- CT incredulous, andswaved her off with the reply, "You are genuine bird of ill omen! :! Every struggling breath of rumor that is perchance floating about the streets you gather up and bring directly to me.,3aI can't listen to you now; and be careful that you do not breathe this to your grandpa" g a1sTsa.1 4@E
 Fl '.Indeed aunt-indeed, it is truew she whispered, almost sobbingly.' 9sS y .'How do you known, l asked. ~'
 ssMrs. Lee told me-" QTz gIs.4soe < l0" How did Mrs. Lee happen to tell youi" z'stI eao.l..itaoa1 ,l4yaat IA
 Everybody was rushing out of St. Paul's Church, and as was standing directly by by Mrs. Lee, and thought she could tell me the reason why, I did not think there was any harm in asking her." snaI z.7 ''No my little darling; yet there may be some mistake" replied apologetlcally, land go now, ct any rate; I am not well enough to listen to such disagreeable news. a-ss P, h YG4s t8tfj aafI -5!
 She left me, evidently disconnected at my want of faith, to return in few mo- msnts with six or eight little companions, all frightfully pale and almost breathless, to confirm her statement. g&4
 By this time my father had become fear fully excited, and, lifting himself on his el- bow, inquired the cause of their intrusion. As gently as could broke the news to him. .aL f.tesYsJ 3H la.I4s.. , 50 -'- aa ''Impossible!" he exclaimed. s'They are crazy, every one of theml Stark mad! Send them home! Sunday is not the day for children to be running around the streetsi"rf sBa.4E ey1a1~- aa}vn4 7.' {" There was protest from every child's voice; and how many 'indeeds" were utter ed it would be useless to attempt to com pute,- But at this moment a lady, quite us much alarmed and agitated as her chii- dren, came in and confirmed COT the truth of their story.s..'r 9.ss Da sS,,'l. ..s E21on- the anodyne had been thoroughly coun- teracted. There was too much for me to do te-+hink of remaining in bed. got up nervous and trembling, and prepared to attend to household duties-by turns re- turning to calm and comfort my poor fath- er's excessive agitation. My brain was in confusion; It seemed on fire. What did can scarcely tell; but, above all, I do re- member his childllke confidence in me- his pleading tears and prayerful regrets that we should ever have lived to see that day. Oh, it was pitiful! q have but a few more years to live at farthestr" he wonld cry. ''but you, my daughter; what will become of you2 can do nothing for your defence or protection. God have mercyl'g g,saa g!s .i-
 His prayers were answered.sa sors sa
 In an incredulous short space of time, it seemed, the day wore away. When 8 storm of misery was surging, or when "a rush of startling events overwhe!ms the soul, time passes rapidly. This is true, providentially, however contrary to reason it may appear. and can only be attested by experience. 7.av +s,4 s4sz.e--F-sts r.