Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-19
The Surrender of Richm Ond,
lGen. G. F. shepley in July Atlantic.

lpcu' VI. Z. cucplcS III July htldutlC.
AS we drew near the city, a deputation.
headed by Mr.. Mayo, the mayor Of Richmond,
came to meet us and formally TO surrender the
city. They expressed great surprise at the
flne, WellgrOOmed and WeIl-fed horses OF the
officers and the style and completeness of all
the equipments, which undoubtedly contrasted
strangely with the half-starved hacks and
dilapidated equipments and uniforms they had
been accustomed to see In the ranks of the con-
federate army during the last year OF the siege
OF Richmond. We received the Old Virginia
gentleman SO pleasantly and kindly that he re-
ported, on his return to his anxious compatrlots,
who inquired what kind OF people the Yankees
were. that he had met "a company OF perfect
CheSterfieldS-"
AS we entered the city itself. the whole col.
ored population received us with shouts OF
welcome. The white population remaining
were tired OF the siege, and thankful for our
protection after what they had suffered from
the rebel troops, who had passed through In
advance of us, had plundered the city OF every
thing they could seize, and had set 1t on fire.
but heap Of ashes In the place where Rich
mond had been. The houses of the more
wealthy residents were closed, and their in
mates, screening themselves from observation,
only glanced at US from behind their Iattlces
and blinds But the JOY or the poorer classes
OF whites and the exultation OF the colored
people at their deliverance from rebel tyranny
was something wonderful to see.
The greater part OF Richmond was on fire. AS
we rode through the principal streets, the build
ingS on both sides were burning over an area
idrStT tudu tltdt embraced In the burned district
at the great fire In Portland. The air was filled
with sparks. mingled liz places with exploding
shells from the rebel ordnance stores Tne
streets were thronged with people carrying TO-
Dacco, flour, and all kinds Of commodities fro %
the burning houses, shops, and warehouses,
The delighted negroes crowded about the orses
OF the bOdy-guard, and welcomed their riders
with every demonstration OF joy, pressing upon
them the tobacco which they were saving from
the factories and store houses, so that when we
arrived at the State-hOuSe every soldier of the
provost guard had from five TO fifty pounds OF
the best smoking tobacco hanging from his sad
die.
In the park surrounding the state house was
scene OF the widest confusion. The re Del
cabinet had hastily removed the most valuable
archives from their respective departments the
night before our entry; and the only time for
making their hurried preparations had been
since Sunday afternoon, when Jeff Davis was
called out OF church BY the to him unexpected
int Iligence that the defenses of Richmond were
10 be abandoned, and the city evacuated by the
troops during the night. The cabinet oficers
took away what papers they could, and the rest
were scattered about the several departmental
until our horses sank fetlock- deep In unsigned
confederate bonds and notes, letters and 0ocu.
ments Of every kind, which covered the ground
for acres.