Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-08
departure DE check was not cashed, and !

departure the check was not cashed, anu
have n now.
Leaving the house as II was. and taking
only our clothing. 4 made ready WITH nly
young sister and my four little cniiaru.nh,
into the unknown. Mr. Burton N. Harri-
son, the Presidents private secretary, was
to protect and see us safely settled ~
Charlotte, where we had hired furnisheu
house. Mr.. George A. Trenholm's iovey
daughters were also to accompany US W
remain with friends there.
| had bought several barrels OK nont,
and intended to take them WIN
me, but Mr.. Davis said lou
cannot remove anything in the snapes
of food from here. the people want
it, and you must leave IL here"
The deepest depression had settled upon
the whole city: the streets were aihos'
deserted.
SHOWED FER HOW TO SHOOT.
The day before our departure Mr.. DAVIS
gave me pistol and showed me now 10
load, aim. and fire it. He was very appre..
hensiye of our falling into the hands Oh
the disorganized bands of troops rowing
about the country and said: You can, 81
least, if reduced to the last extremity force
your assailsnts to kill you. but cnaIee
you solemnly to leave when you hear tne s
enemy are approaching, and IT you cannos
remain undsturbed in our own county
make for the Florida coast and take ship
there for a foreign country"
With hearts bowed down by DESPAIR we
left Richmond. Mr.. Davis almost gave
way when our little JET begged to remain
with him, and Maggie chung to HIM con-
yulsively, for il was evident he thought ne
was looking his last upon US.
THE EVACUATION OF RICHMOND.
iChapter LVIII.l
give Mr.. Davis's story of the evacua-
| ton of Richmond in his own words -,
ION Sunday, April I'd, while was IN 81
| Pauls church General Lees telegram an
nouncing his speedy withdrawal from Pe-
| tersburg and the consequent necessity lot
evacuating Richmond was handed me.
| quietly left the church. The Occurrences
| probably attracted attention, but the peo-
! Die had been beleaguered, had known me
| too often TO receive notice of threatened at
| tacks, and the congregation ofSt. Paul s was
! too refined to make scene at anticipated
| danger. / went TO my Office and assembled
| the heads of departments and bureaus as
| far as they could be found on a day when
all the Offices were closed and gave the
needful instruction for our removal that
night, simultaneously with General Lee
| from Petersburg. The event was fore
|
made for 1t, though. as 1t came sooner
| than was expected, there was yet mucn 20
| be done. The executive papers were ar
ragged for removal. -,
This occupied myself and staff until
| late in the afternoon. BY this time the re,
| port that Richmond was TO be evacuated
| had spread through the town, and many
who saw me walking toward my residence
| left their houses 10 inquire whether the re-
port was true. Upon my admission OF the
painful fact, qualified, however, by, the
| expression of my hope that we should I'M
| der better auspices again return, they all
the ladies especially, with generous SYM
| pathy and patriotic impulse responded,
If the success of the cause requires you
to give up Richmond, we are content
1.-THE affection and confidence of this
noble people in the hour of disaster were
more distressing to me than complacent
and unjust censure would have been.
Being alone in Richmond, few ar
rangements needful for my personal wants
were soon made after reaching home.
Then leaving all else in tho care of the
housekeeper, / waited until notified OF the
time would depart, and going to the sta
ton. started for Danville, whittier | sup
posed General Lee would proceed with his
army" .
WHY GRANT PURSUED.
In connection with the evacuation of
Richmond, the following incident IS re-
lated by General g. W. @. Lee:
After / was taken prisoner at Sailors
creek, with the greater part of the. COM
mands Of General Ewell and General Dick
Anderson, and was on my way to Peters
burg with the officers of the three com