The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-07-04


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Job Work cash on delivery. in every instance
The Fall Of Richmonf-In Interesting Incidents
Connected with the Closing Scenes OF the
War.
Tnere. are DAYS in ones life ever to be re-
membered-such was The I'd of April, the day
of the fall of Richmond No day ever dawned
over city with brighter splendor. A soft and
balmy breeze, as it aoated over the ill-fated
city that gorgeous morning, bore along the
sweet melody of hundred bells inviting to
worship; and not in vain did they ring out
their Joyful notes, for st. Pauls was filled to
everhowing, and the hearty responses Of that
vast congregation maise it o scene solemn and
affecting. As it approached II o'clock cou-
rier enters, whispers something to President
Davis, Memminger and others, who instantly
rise and hurry out. As the President passes
down the aisle there can be seen a look OF ap-
prehension, of danger, on his countenance-.
The congregation see it, and lose no time In
following.
The report is that General Eee's lines have
Been broken in three places, and Richmond is
to be evacuated At first the people would not
believe it, but when they saw government Off
cials hurrying to and fro, they soon became
aware of the impending danger. Never were
3 abesieged people more confident of their secu-
rity than the people of Richmond when they
awoke that morning; but now all were in tre-
pidation and despair
As the day advances the terror increases, and
towards night chaos reigns throughout the
CITY. All trains are now monopolized by the
government, and none but officials can leave on
them. Many, rather than be left behind, start
afoot. Old men, with tottering steps, with full
wallet on their back, could be seen fastening
towards Mayo Bridge to follow our army across
the James. But once they stopped to cast
long, lingering glance OBJ their beloved city.
OH; what agony was there in that glance !
Well may they have exclaimed with dSnlas OF
eld:
ssVenit summa 6ies ct ineluctabile tempus-."
Night comes on, and with its sable shadows
the dark deeds of the rabble. Now commences
wild saturnalis that beggars description. The
negroes and the rabble by thousands swarm the
streets, smashing windows, breaking into stores
and cutting them of gheir contents. On Main
street the crowd surged to and fro like the bill
lows of the ocean, and as uncomfortable. When
the conhagration is at its highth, and this part
Of the city is wrapped in flames, and dense
clouds of smoke .dars1en the streets, there is
seen man, alone and solitary, in the midst of
AOSho
and sunken eyes; his step is tottering and un-
eertain-he passes on and is lost in the dark
ness. It was the Assistant Secretary of of War,
formerly one of tho Justices of the United
States Supreme Court. Nor does this chaotic
scene vanish with the night, but continues on
till morning, when it becomes painfully ex-
citing.
The old Bell Clock near the Capitol now
strikes Il, whilst strange scene is being en-
acted in the west end of the city. One of Vir-
ginia's most beautiful and noble daughters is
fulfilling VOW she had made her soldier-lover
early in the war sThat if Richmond should
have to be evacuated, on that evening she
would become Ills bride and share his fate with
our army" That Sunday morning the lover
autographed from his post near Petersburg that
the time had come for Richmond to be evacua-
ted, and it would be done the next morning at
the going-down of the moon that he would
be in Richmond at II o'clock Sunday night for
her to fulfill her VOW. That night, at the ap-
pointed hour, in the presence Of mono but her
God, her mother, and her pastor, did she fulfill
her plighted troth. In five minutes he was Oft
to his post. But to return from this strange
episode.
AS the moon went down that morning our
pickets On the north side of the James were
drawn in and Richmond left open to the ese-
my. Darkness and chaos now reign through
ont the city. o! what agony in that moment.
When that moon went down it made one feel
like Northumberland when he heard of the
death of his Harry, and exclaimed
"Let order die,
And let this world no longer be stage
To feel contention in a lingering act;
But let one spirit of the first born Cain
Reign in all bosonrs, that with heart being set
ON bloody courses the rude scene may end,
And darkness be the burger of the dead"
The last train now moves of-a thousand
slake rush for it; but, alas only few can
find room-pell nell they crowd in and hang
on the platform. Now the rabbles set in to
plunder, and the widest scene of spoliation
ensues. On Fourteenth street vast quantities
of food and clothing are thrown out to the
people. At this moment one of the large to-
bacco warehouses on Cary street is fired by or
der of the authorities; vast flames dart out Of
the doors and windows, wrapping themselves
around its huge walls: Now the American
Hotel adds fuel to the devouring flames; then
the great Warwick Mills-all is wrapped in
fame and darkness The winds sweep over
the city in wild hurricane, rushing through
streets and dark alleys, carrying red, kissing
flames into every corner. The elements groan
in agony in the contest, but at last they yield
Then the winds roar in diabolical laughter al
their victory, and sweep on in their mad, con
suming course till two-thirds of the business
portion of the city is laid in ashes. Now the
rear of the army north of the James is cross
ing at Mayo's Bridge-the infantry double
auicking it up Cary, and the artillery lumber
ing down Fourteenth strect-for the cry is
heard that the bridge is about to be burned
At this moment the noble Breckinridge Ii
riding up and down Main and Cary streets
giving directions in certain matters and per
forming the final Of the evacuation; ne look looks
but on his countenance can be seen resolution
IN despair. The troops have now all passed
when the order is given to burn the bridge. Ir
few moments it is in flames; he dashes across
through the flames, and we are left to the en-
emy.