The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-03-04


Richmond In April, 1865.
Mary Tucker Msgill in the Independent
gives an account OF what was done q,
Richmond in the last days OF the confed-
eracy, from which we quote as follows:
"Never did the sun shine more brightly
than on the I'd day Of April, 1866. 4 day
long to be remembered by oil those who
anchored their hopes to the dying cause.
It was Sabbath day, and ss ! was entering
the Rev. DR.. Hoge's church saw friend
who was an officer in the sommissary de.
partment. What news? said All quiet,
was the answer A dearth OF Sunday ru :
mors; even the croakers are quiet and
peaceful, and we're undisturbed by few
shots along the line early this morning.
/ did see some stragglers looking at the
bulletin board as passed; but did not
stop You think Richmond is safe?
asked. Never safer. She made narrow
escape from being starved out few weeks
ago. and this frightened the people into
crowding their provisions into the city;
and l was assured this morning by Cap
tain Il. that we had not been so safe for
months l expressed my Joy at the assur-
ance, and we passed into the church to-.
gether My seat was very far forward,
and l scarcely noticed, what remember
ed afterward, that there was slight con
fusion during the service. At the sum
mons Of the sexton, one man after another
left the church. Am ong these was the
mayor Of the city and the medical director
Of the army. Dr. Hoge had finished his
sermon and the closing prayer, and was
reading hymn when the sexton handed
him note. Thinking 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 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 moment had wrought Winters Of
sorrow seemed to have rolled over his face
in that second Of time. So marked was
the change that the whole congregation
rose to their feet as one man, and stood,
as with suspended shrek, awaiting their
doom from his lips. 1t was delayed for
one moment, while with quivering face,
he struggled TO command himself suffici-
emily to speak. His voice came at last,
shaking and quivering, as be said: my
friends, have just had news news that
wrings my heart for myself, for you and
for your children. may not meet You
again for long time. l thank you for
many kindpesses. Farewell! Go quietly
10 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 Rich
nond was sealed Thereafter followed q
scene which beQgars description. There
was little noisy demonstration, though
woman could be heard crying here and
here; but faces were distorted with grief,
though few tears were shed. Now that
he inevitable bad arrived, do not re-
member any recriminations or bitter crit
cisms. We we're one in sorrow and sym
,athy. II errors had been made, this was
10 time to recall them. Friends grasped |
he hands OF friends rs on the eve Of
ong partiDg--a parting where LIES hopes
ie dead. There we're comforters who told
hat General Lee had said that move
rom Richmond would be the best thing
or the confederacy; and we women seized
70 it as drowning man catches at straws,
md believed it. We said to each other
hat this was the turning point; and we
ried to smile and convince each other and
be men that this, after all. was the very
,est thing that could happen. The scene
a the streets no pen can describe Men,
nth gloom upon their faces, hurried to
be government Offices. The banks we're
'pened, and depositors were withdrawing
heir gold, while the directors superin.
ended the removal OF the bullion. Officers
ode madly about the streets. giving order;
osded wagons crowded the thorough
ares; householders busted themselves
their vsluables against the
seking Of the city, which was confidently
PREDICTED. Richmond bad for so long
,een the bone OF conteoiion between the
20 armies that the accumulated horrors
4 the whole war we're anticipated"
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