The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-29

cd look controlled each countenancc. j
had read OF anarchy, but ncycrtr truly real
yea the meaning Of the word before.
Ihere was little noise. but kind Of sup
pressed murmur could be heard as the mob
passed from store TO store on its mission OF
ROBBERY. City government had ceased TO
exist. No police were anywhere to protect.
All ana everything we're it the mob's
mercy. Fortunately il seemed intent
only in pillaging for provisions, and these
when found were wasteiully scattered.
L should here mention that while there icdS
authority in the city an order had been
issued TO destroy all spirituous liquors,
which order was generally obeyed, rs was
attested by the odor that came from the
cutters rs the liquor flowed down them
mingled with mud and water. After pass
ing through Rockets we commenced meet
ing portions OF the Confederate army falling
back from the brcastworks. and rs the boys
IN gray would meet and pass us their re-
marks would have excited our risibles had
it been on less solemn occasion. But
"Johnny Reb" was cheerful even in de-
feat; nor did his buoyant spirits leave
him. although about to experience
the humiliation OF subjugatlon. Ar
irving at the stoppiDg-placc about
half-past !, we awaited the approach OF the
vanguard OF the enemy, which did not
come along until between and g O'Clock.
Shortly after our arrival at the breastwork
we were startled by the loud report caused
by the explosion Of the magazine, and not
long after that, when looking towards
Richmond, we saw the western horizon
Illuminated, and we knew then that the
city was on fire. Our feelings were indie
scribable. None knew but that his own
home might be furnishing that light, and
his wife and little ones thereby forced.
houseless and homeless, in the street. Y,t
there were we compelled to stay.
When the van OF the northern army,
under the command Of Colonel stephens,
came in sight, we under fag OF truce
met them, when Alr. Mayo then AMI there
surrendered the city in proper form. We
then entered our carriages, and, preceded
by portion OF the enemy's cavalry, re-
turned to the city. The officer III COM
mand went direct to the Capitol. where,
after hosting the United States flag and
establishing his headquarters, he at once
turned his earnest endeavoIs to bring
order out OF chaos and protect both per-
sons and property. The conduct both OF
the officers and soldiers in their attempts 70
stop the spread OF the fire aud oxiinguish
the Games is deserving Of all praise. The
aphorism, zone spark Of nature makes
kindred Of Us all" was never more fully
cXcmpliGed than on that day, when | saw
the elite white citizen OF the city, the re-
cent negro slave, and the Yankee officer
and soldier, yieiDg with each other TO
best protect and subseryc public interest.
Ii the flames were not stopped IL was no
fault Of any OF the people or soldiery, but
because the deyouring element had got be-
yond control.
But in the mean while /, individually,
was in what might be called ga afix." The
bridges crossing the river had been burn
ed, no pontoon had been constructed;
there were some row-boats crossing the
river taking passengers, for which fifty
cents either in silver o. grcenbacks had 20
be paid. j had my pocket full OF CoHfed-
crate money and not 4 cent Of United States
currency or coin, and knew that my FAM
lily was uneasy about me, as they knew rot
where | was or what had become Of me.
They had neither seen or heard OF lie
since dinner the day before. | knew they
were anxious, rs | was about them. But
in my trouble IN Irishman relieved me.
though possibly at the expense Of little
blarney on my part. He landed me about
4 Z. NJ. on the south side Of the river, for
which, having nothing more substantial,
gave him my thanks.
have in the foregoing statement given
you my experience in Richmond on the
"a and Sd Of April, 1866, which, il it shall
give TO any Of your readers any pleasure
and keep in memory those trying times, it
will amply compensate THE WRITER.
Richmond, Va, March %, 1888.