The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-02-17
Richmond In April, 1866.

Mary Tucker Magill, in the Independ-
emit, gives an account of what was done
at Richmond in the last days of the con-
federacy, from which we quote as fol-
lows: " Never did the sun shine more
brilliantly than on the I'd day of April,
1865, day long to be remembered by
all those who anchored their hopes to
the dying cause 1t was Sabbath
day, and as / was entering the Rev. DR..
Hoge's church | saw friend who was
an officer in the commissary depart
ment. What news?' l asked. All
quiet was the answer. A dearth of
Sunday rumors; even the croakers are
quiet and peaceful, and were undis-
turbed by few shots along the line
early this morning. l did see some
stragglers looking at the bulletin board,
as passed; but did not stop. You
think Richmond is safe?' 1 asked
Never safer. She made narrow es-
cape from being starved out, few
weeks ago, and this frightened the
people into crowding their provisions
into the city; and / was assured this
morning by Captain H. that we had
not been so safe for months | ex-
pressed my Joy at the assurance, and
we passed into the church together.
My seat was very far forward, and
scarcely noticed, what 1 remembered
afterward, that there was slight con-
fusion during the service. AT the sum-
mons of the sexton, one person after
another left the church. Among these
was the mayor of the city and the medi-
cal director of the army. DR.. Hoge had
NJ 1, oil J.; Il
prayer, and was reading the hymn when
the sexton handed him note. Think
ing it was some notice to be given out,
the reverend gentleman laid it beside
him and finished his task; and then, in
turning to his seat, read the note. In a
second before the choir had time to sound
the first note of praise, he turned back to
his desk; and those who saw him can
never forget the change which that mo-
ment had wrought Winters of sor-
row seemed to have rolled over his
face in that second of time. So marked
was the change that the whole congre-
cation rose to their feet as one man,
and stood, as with suspended shrek,
awaiting their doom from his lips. II
was delayed for one moment, while
with quivering face, he struggled to
command himself sufficiently to speak.
His voice came at last, shaking and
quivering, as he said My friends,
have just had news-news which wrings
my heart for myself, for you and for
your children. 1 may not meet you
again for long time. thank you for
many kindnesses. Farewell! Go quietly
to your homes, and remember amidst all
these waves of sorrow that your Father
holds the helm Then, although he had
not told us, we knew that the fate of
Richmond was sealed. Thereafter fol-
lowed scene which beggars description
There was little noisy demonstration
though woman could be heard crying
here and there; but faces were distorted
with grief, though few tears were shed.
Now that the inevitable had arrived,
do not remember any recriminations OF
bitter criticisms. We were one in sor-
row and sympathy. If errors had beer
made, this was no time to recall them
Friends grasped the hands of friends
as on the eve of a long parting-a part
ing where life's hopes lie dead. There
were comforters who told that Genera
Lee had said that move from Rich
mond would be the best thing for the
confederacy; and we women seized or
it as drowning man catches at straws,
and believed it. We said to each other
that this was the turning point; and We
tried to smile and convince each Other
and the men that this, after all, wa'
the very best thing that could happen.
The scene in the streets no pen can de-
scribe. Men, with gloom upon theil
faces, hurried to the government offices
The banks were opened, and deposi
tors were withdrawing their gold, while
the directors superintendent the remova
of the bullion. Officers rode madly
about the streets, giving orders; loaded
wagons crowded the thoroughfares
householders busted themselves secret
ing their valuables against the sackins
of the city, which was confidently pre-
dicted. Richmond had for so long beef
the bone of contention between the tw'
armies that the accumulated horrors o
the whole war were anticipated"