Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22

In church at Richmond on Sunday, April 2, but
Immediately rose ard withdrew. The confed-
crate government, nfter hasty preparations, left
that night by the Richmond and Danville rail-
road. 1t was Immediately followed by the
troops Of Ewell. who were holding the lines
Gbou. the city. Panic seized upon the poprlace,
the poorer portion Of which was starving. The
city was fired that night and pandemonium
reigned.
THE SURRENDER
The next morning. April 8, it was found
that the inner lines of the confederates and
Petersburg itself had been abandoned during
the night. Lee in fact had begun his retreat
about 10 o'clock Of the previous evening. The
town had surrendered to Col Ralph Ely of
Parkes corps at u. IN. News came that Rich
mond also had been evacuated and was in pos
session OF Weitzers troops, with the Union flag
waving over tho capitol and Union soldiers
fighting the fire to save the city from destruc-
ton. Gems. Grant and Meade rode into Peters
burg about 9 o'clock in the morning Soon
President Lincoln joined Grant. the happiest
man in the whole world. his rugged face actually
beaminS with JOY, pouring out his thanks to tho
commander who had at last finished up the
job"
But while these sentimental proceedings were
in progress the main business was not being
neglected. There vas no rest for Lees vet
Grams, toiling westward over the frightful Nir-
ginia roads toward safety and a final junction
with Joe Johnston's army in North Carolina
for a renewal OF the contest on new lines The
sleepless and relentless Sheridan knowing what
would follow, with his cavalry and the indomita-
bic fifth corps, had instantly sprang forward in
chase on parallel lines TO the southwark,
| with unfagging determination and enthusiasm.
| The soldiers, officers and men, raw the end
now. Their homes at last were in sight. The
other corps OF the army were soon headed in
| the same direction.
| Sheridans movements were SO rapid that Lee
| was soon compelled to abandon the original OBJ
| jective Of his march-Danville-an changed
| direction toward Lynchburg. His supplies were
| cut off and his army suffering for food. Still
| 1t bravely struggled on. At Sailors creek Oh
| the 9th Sheridan headed off Ewell's corps with
| the cavalry. The old sixth corps coming up in
| Its rear, general onset followed, resulting in
the capture of Ewell himself, seven or eight
| other generals, 5000 or 1000 prisoners and al
| their artillery and trains. 1t was terrible
| blow. Heavy fighting occurred daily, and wher
| headed off one line the confederatcs struck
| off for new one. Il was difficult for the Union
infantry to march fast enough to get across
| their 'front.' The cavalry easily did SO and
greatly impeded Lees retreat.
| At last. however, the infantry Of the Army OF
the Potomac after unexampled efforts and tire
less marching, was fairly deployed in his imme
| diate front across Lees last line of retrea
| toward Lynchburg. With no supplies and but
few hungry, dcmoralizcd troops left under
| Longstreet Lee forced to throw up the
sponge. Gen. Grant met the confederat,
chicftain by appointment at the HON,
OF Mr. Wilmer Mclean in the village Of Apo
mattox Court House, where generous term
we're granted the remaining $4,000 men of thu
vanquished army, quickly acceded to by Gen
Lee, and the long strain was over. The worl
Of the Army of the Potomac was done. Includ
ing Sheridans cavalry, it had lost in this fina
campaign 9,944 men killed, wounded anc
missing
Leaving other officers to close up the fina
details of the surrender Grant immediatel,
rode away to Washington, not even visiting tn
camp of his fallen foe. Gen Lee after bidding
a sad farewell to the veterans who had won i'm
perishabe renown under his command, retired
to his homo, and his army silently and quick.
scattered to theirs. The Union army marche,
back to Richmond, thence to Washington
where after the grand review, they were mus
tered out Of the service, end they, too, wen
home. Peace at last reigned, and none were 81
glad as the soldiers who had SO long borne thei
respective banners in the field.