Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-01-23
BRATTLEBORO, VT. FRIDAY, JANUARY %. 1885

pin drop. don't think any one could do
justice to that scene 1t would be necessary
to photograph it to understand IT,
At length we were able to move on the
crowd opened for US, shouting. got the
twelve seamen, with fixed bayonets, around
the President to keep him from being crush
ed. 1t never struck me that there was any
one in that multitude who would injure him
1t seemed to me that he had an army OF sup
porters there who could, and would, defend
him against all the world.
But likely there were scowling eyes not far
of men were perhaps looking on with ha-
tired in their hearts, who we're even then seek
ing an opportunity to slay him.
Our progress was very slow, we did not
move mile an hour and the crowd was still
increasing. Many poor whites joined the
numbers, and sent up their shouts with the
rest. We were nearly half an hour getting
from abreast Of Libby prison to the edge of
the city. The President stopped u moment
to look on the horrid Bastile where 80 many
Union soldiers had dragged out a dreadful
life, and we're subjected to all the cruelty the
minds of brutal jailors could devise.
1--WE will pull 1t down ~ cried the crowd,
seeing where his look fell
mo, he said, 'leave 1t as monument"
he meant l am sure, to leave it as a monu-
ment to the loyalty of our soldiers who would
bear all the horrors of Libby sooner than de-
sert their flag aud cause.
We struggled on, the great crowd preced-
ing us, and au equally dense crowd of blacks
following on behnd-a so packed together
that some Of them often sang out in pain.
1t Was not a model style for the President of
the United States to enter the capital of q
conquered country, yet there was a moral in
it all which had more effect than if be had
come surrounded with great armies and her
aided by the booming Of cannon. He came
armed with the majesty of the law to put his
seal to the act which had been established
by the bayonets of Union soldiers the es.
tablishment Of peace and good will between
the North and the South, and liberty to all
mankind who dwell upon our shores.
We struggled on, and az We reached the
edge of the city, the sidewalks we're lined on
both sides with black and white alike, all
looking with eager and curious faces at the
man who held their destiny in his hand, but
there was no anger in any ones face the
whole was like gala day, and it looked as il
the President was some expected guest who
had come to receive great honors indeed,
no man ever received greater ovation than
was given him, be it from warm hearts or
simple ceremony.
1t was a warm day, aud the streets we're
dusty, owing to the immense gathering which
covered every part of them kicking up the
dirt. The atmosphere was suffocating, and
Mr.. Lincoln could be seen plainly by every
man, woman and child, towering head and
shoulder above that crowd. He overtopped
every man there. He carried his hat in his
hand, tanning his face, from which the per.
spiration was pouring
He looked as if he would have given his
presidency for glass Of water-I would bave
given my teeth for half a one.
Now came another phase in the procession.
As we entered the city, every window few
up from below to the roof and every one
was filed with eager, peering faces which
turned one to another and seemed to ask
'Is this large man with soft eyes and kind,
benevolent face the one who has been held
up to us as ths incarnation of wiokedness-
the destroyer OF the South Z" l think that
illusion vanished, if it was ever hsrbored by
any one there. l don't know what there was
to amuse them in looking at this scene, but
never saw a merrier crowd in my life, black
and white.
We were brought TO a halt by the dense
Jam before we had gone square the town
was still on fire at the Tredegar Works and
in the str uctures theresbouts. and the smoke
setting our way almost choked US.
had not seen a soldier whom l could send
to General Weitzel to ask for an escort, and
it wonld have been useless to send one of the
contrabands, for he would have been too
much interested in seeing the sights and in
looking at the President, from whom none
took their eyes. l don't think any one no.
tioed the rest of the party.
/ think the people could not have had q
gala day since the Confederates occupied
Richmond as headquarters. Judging from
present appearances, they certainly were not
grieving at the loss Of the government which
had Just fed There was nothing like taunt
or defiance in the faces of those who were
gazing from the windows, or craning their
necks from the sidewalks, to catch view of
the President The look of every one was
that of eager curiosity more.
While We were stopped for moment by
the crowd white man, in his shirt sleeves
rushed from the 9dewalk toward the Presi-
dent. His looks were 80 eager that felt ap.
prehensive that he was not friend, and pre-
pared to receive him on the point of my
sword, bnt when he got within ten feet of US
he suddenly stopped short, took oil his hat,
and cried out Abraham Lincoln, God bless
you, you are tue poor mans friend!' Then
he tried to force his way to the President to
shake hands with him. He would not take
no for an answer, until | had to treat him
rather roughly, when he stood off, his arms
folded and looked eagerly after us. The last
saw of him he was throwing his hat into
the air.
just after this a beautiful girl came from
| the sidewalk with large bouquet of roses i'll
her hand, and advanced, struggling through
the crowd toward the President. The mass
of people opened to let her pass, but she had
a hard time in reaching him. Her clothes
we're very much disarranged in making the
| journey across the street.
reached out and helped her within the
circle of the sailors bayonets, where, al
though she Was almost stlhed with the dust,
| she gracefully presented her bouquet and
made a neat little speech, while the President
held her hand. She was very pretty, and
about II years old-which made the presen-
| tation still more touching.
There was a label on the bouquet with
these simple words From Eva to the Lib
orator of the Slaves" Sue stayed no longer
than to deliver her present; then two of the
| sailors were sent to escort her back to the
walk.
There was no cheering at this, yet there
was no disapprobation shown, only she was
| met by the same eager, curious faces which
surrounded her and piled her with questions.
This was the only event of the kind that oc-
CURED.
asked myself what all this could mean
but that the people of Richmond were glad
to see the end of the strife, and to see the
advent of milder form of government than
that which had just departed in such an ig-
noble manner
At length got hold of a cavalryman. He
was resting his horse near the sidewalk
blocked in by the people, and looking on
with the same expression of interest as the
others. He was the only soldier had seen
since we landed, showing that the general
commanding the Union forces had no desire
to interfere, in any case, with the comfort of
the citizens. There were only guards enough
posted about the streets to protect property
and to prevent Irregularities.
go TO the general l said to the cavalry
man, land tell him to send military escort
here to guard the President, and get him
through this crowd" "Is that old Abe q
asked the soldier, his eyes as large as saucers.
The sight of the President was as strange to
him as to the inhabitants, but of he went as
fast as the crowd would allow him, and in 20
minutes heard the clatter over the stones OF
horses feet, as troop of cavalry came gal
Looping and clearing the street, which they
did with as much gentleness as if they were
at parade.
For the frat time we we're able 10 walk
along continuously since starting from the
water. In short time we reached the man