Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-31
INTERIOR VIEW OF ST. PAUEs CHURCH.
Lee pews are marked.

md Lee pews are marked.
1 Having In 1859 signed a parole which
prohibited me from entering the Union
lines without permission, l was advised
TO see General Grant OH my way to Rich
mond. The next day General Meade de-
tached Major H TO accompany our
party TO City Point. where we went In a
few hours by train. City Point was then
the centre OF everything on account OF
Its being General Grants headquarters,
ard was then filed to overlooking with
soldiers and civilians. As we stood on a
wharf, watching the boats with which the
river was filed, I saw-to us-a most
novel sight-an itinerant vender who had
for sale some MISUNDERSTANDING plume
and figs. Plum cake! I had not seen
such for years, and. Involuntary, l said
so aloud. TO my surprise and delight. a
few minutes later gentleman in
civilians dres: approached me and,
raising his hat respectfully handed me
a paper parcel and disappeared. on open
ing ii, 10! generous supply OF the covet-
ed dainties greeted my astonished eyes.
/ have never had an opportunity to thank
that Good Samaritan do so now.
We waited some little time on the
river-bank for Major Il, and upon
his return he gave us In charge to Major
B who by General Grants orders
escorted us to his private steamboat,
which was anchored in the middle OF the
stream. and when we were provided with
quarters for the night. / then. with due
solemnty. presented my kindly Union
officer, Major H. with an old tin
cup as a relic. pretending that its value
would be greatly enhanced in his eyes.
because IL had once been used by Gene
raj Early
The next day we were transferred to
another boat bound for Richmond, and
made a much more tranquil voyage than
/ anticipated, as 1 was terribly afraid
that some one Of the many torpedoes
which our people had planted in the
James river might have been overlooked
by the Union soldiers. and that we should
be hoist on our own petaIu.
SADNESS AND DESOLATION HERE
The spectacle that met our eyes when
We landed In Richmond can hardly be
described, and our bewilderment and dis
tress over the extent OF the burned dis
trict was almost overwhelming There
were no means OF transportation except
little donkey-carts, driven by small boys:
and having put the trunk on one of these.
we walked bv It's side the saddest part OF
our journey, for we could not even de-
termlne where our homes had once stood.
/ Miss l. at last found the site of her
former house. but II was in ashes I was
more fortunate. for the house on Frank
lin street remained standing, but every
pane OF glass had been shattered by the
explosions, and when. after my long
march. i finally reached II, Aunt Emily
and all the servants came flying out TO
greet me with the demonstration Of tears
and laughter of which their versatile race
is capable. Indeed. I may well pay a
just tribute OF gratitude to my faithful
old servants. The government rations.
for which / was most grateful were
provided me: but they did not suit Aunt
Emily's ideas. so. without word to me.
the good old soul made pies and cakes
tof which art she was past-mistress), and
sold them in the streets, and with the
money thus obtained purchased and
brought mo spring lamb. peas, and all
the delicacies TO which / had long been
stranger. and which she thought due her
young Miss"
After two months OF weary waiting
received the revocation OF my parole. and
was put on board government TRANSPORT
bound for Washington, where l at last
found myself reunited to my anxious
family, and where I had many an anec-
dote beside this TO tell OF my three
years separation from them and nv
escape from Richmond
ct will be readily seen that WHARF Dr
M and DR.. Il are used thew
refer to Rev. Drs. Minnegerode and Hoge.
Some OF our older residents may recog-
nize some OF the other INITIALS used in
this article.-Editor Dispatch.)