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

| cannot doubt but that the following
graphic narrative will be OF interest TO
your readers. and of value historillly as
embodyiug the personal cognizancc OF two
honored citizens in official deputation.
and as eye-witnesses Of probably the most
memorable episode in the annals OF our
city. Faithfully, X. y. Is.
TO Il. 4. Brock, Esq, Secretary Of The
Virginia Historical Society:
Dear Sir.-Some three years ago, and
about this time OF the year, was in COM
pany with the late Judge John A. Mere
dlth, and while converSing about the
evacuation OF Richmond on the Sd OF
April, 1865, by the Confederate forces, and
lis occupancy 10y the northern army, we
both agreed that there were some incidents
connected with that event that had not
been stated with accuracy, and others, OF
interest. entirely omitted. l suggested that
he write out our concurrent recOllections
as n true history, and he insisted that !
should perform that service; and rs he has
since died, feel that | may contribute
some little to history by writing 4 few
"reminiscences OF that never to-bc-forgotten
time.
cannot arrogate TO myself the language
of Virgil, and say:
"Qdaeque ipse niserrima victi
"Et quorum pars mama Iui.'
but may adopt the language of Burke,
and ask YOU to "pardon the feeble garru-
lity of age which loves to diffuSe itself in
discourse Of the departed great. At my
wears we live i'm retrospect alone; ard
wholly united for the society OF vigorous
life, we enjoy the best balm to all wounds,
the consolation Of friendship in those only
whom we have lost forever"
On Sunday the ID OF April. 1865, after
returning from church and eating (aS was
my custom on that day an early dinner, /
strolled into my garden, and the dag being
very pleasant | fingered there few mi
nuteS, when, looking over TO the River
road. about two hundred yards off, saw
Mr.. G. (the conscript oflicer) on horse
back, and heard him say to some
one who had stopped him for con-
versation, "a. Il. Hill is killed, and
they are lighting terribly in Petersburg"
Before j could inquire Of him for further
particulars he rode OF. | therefore de-
termined TO cross the river and ascertain II
| could the true state OF affairs. Crossing
al Nayo's bridge, when l reached Main
street in Richmond ! met Dr.. Worshsm,
the delegate to the Legislature fIom Din
widde county. who asked me ii ! came
over TO attend the called meeting OF all the
members present in the city 10 be held at
L. NJ. in the hail Of the House. q would
state, parenthetically, that for four or five
days before we had met in our respective
halls, bat adjourned TO await number
sufficient to make a quorum.) After tell
ing him knew nothing OF the meeting he
informed me that the city was to be sur
rendered the next day, and that The mem
bers OF both houses were to hold an informal
meeting to determine whether TO stay and
meet the enemy or fly to some other city
and hold our session. / attended the
meeting, and opposed any removal or
fight. expressing the belief that the south
crn cause was lost, and that we could make
better terms for Virginia 10y staying at our
post than byremoval; that was not elect
ed toan itineTant body, and whatever others
might do / should remain. The majority
were what was then called "last-dltch
men, and resolved to accept the offer OF The
canal-b9atS and go TO Lynchhurg. 1t was
between 10 and IL O'Clock Sunday night
before the meeting adjourned, and when L
LETT the hall first went 10 the Governors
house, where / saw Governor Smith max
ing preparations 10 leave. | bid him adieu,
and thence went TO the City Hall, where
the Council and most prominent citizens
were assembled discussing the situation
and making arrangements 10 surrender the
ciiv the next day. While discussing the
terms OF surrender u little incident Oc-
Cured that impressed itself indeliblY
on nv memory. Some gentleman Of
fered resolution TO The effect that
in The surrender Of the city the
protection Of property and the safety OF the
women and children and non-combatants
should be expressly stipulated. No sooner
was this Offered than Judge William ii.
LYONS, by whom | was standing, sprang
from his feet, and with an earnestness II
not indignation seldom seen in one so ami
able. opposed the resolution so far as the
word "non-cOmbatants" was concerned,
and moved to strike It out, saying that his
position had made HIM nOn-combatant,
but that should not shield him from any
responsibility; that he was with his other
fellOw-citizens, and was willing and desi-
rous 10 share their fate. whatever it might
be. OF course the word was stricken out.
IL was finally determined that committee
Of citizens, headed by the Mayor (then the
Hon. Joseph Mayo, should proceed to the
second line OF defcnces east OF the city
and there await the approach OF the enc
my advancing, and in due form surrender
the city. Being anxious TO protect the clti
zens OF Manchester and its vicinity from
any outrage or molestation that might be
committed by struggling parties OF soldiers,
and believing that in the event 1t became
necessary 10 ask protection, my position as
a member Of the committee would cause Il
message from me TO reach the ear OF autho-
rity sooner than from private individual,
| sought that place and was at once kindly
received as O member Of the committee OF
surrender. How few OF that committee
now suryyey There may be some still liv-
ing, but DO not remember them. Time,
in its onward march, has but looked upon
them and they passed away; and friends
and enemies, conqueror and conquered,
have mingled their dust together In the pa
rent earth.
At 3 O'Clock Monday morning, April 3,
1865, the committee, seated in backs, started
from the CITY Hall, and passed down Gov
ernor street 10 Biain, thence down Main
street toward Rockets. Aftcrpassing Four
teenth street we came across mob COM
posed OF every color and sex, who went
from store-door TO storc-door, and with n
long beam or piece OF timber, handled by
as many men az were necest cry, they forced
open the doors and let the mob enter.
Such hideous c0untenances / never saw be- !
ore or since as the glare OF the gas-ligbt