The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1896-11-05
THE FALL OF RICHMOND
New Light on The Departure Of Presi.
dent JEFF Davis.
FURNISHED BY A MILITARY OFFICER
Hope fingered on to the Very last.
The Beginning of the End OF
the Four Years of bloody Com
fIict-rIighs OF n Motley Crowd.

The real history of the War of the Re-
bellion has not yet been written, and
perhaps it cannot be written for some
years yet to come. The recent rem arka-
BILE revival in interest in the life and times
OF Napoleon show that the world had
comparatively little knowledge OF the re-
markable events that constituted the
throes OF the present century. That
which had been written was largely in
the nature OF special pleading. based on
ex.parte information, some writer's re-
gardng Napoleon as monster, others
being sure that he is entitled to be en-
rolled in the calendar OF earth's loftiest
heroes. So in large degree it Is with
many of the events connected with the
Civil war in America. But meanwhile
he who can record any real facts that
throw new light upon those events onght
to do so. 1t was my privilege recently,
writes George A. Robertson in the Hous-
ton (Tex.) Post, to meet Col. Smith OF
Arkansas, who was in Richmond at the
time Of its evacuation by the Confeder-
ates, and who, being in the military
guard of President Jefferson Davis, was
cognizant of all the events of that inter.
esting time. What be told me coDtro.
verts some Of the statements that have
gone into most of the books that have
thus far been written. Aside from this,
however, Col. Smiths vivid description
OF those last days of the Confederacy are
of great interest.
The spring of 1865 was disastrous for
the South. Grant was closing in around
the Confederate capital; Sherman had
cut the South literally in two by bis
famous march to the sea; defeat was
everywhere and panic prevailed in the
| highest councils. Still the Richmond
cabinet was hopeful that something
would happen to relieve the situation.
They remembered that Mcclellan had
once been at the very gates of their city
and turned back They still believed
that Lee would defeat Grant, as he hat
already defeated Mcclellan. Burnside
Pope, Hooker and Meade. Like Paris
in the gloomiest days OF the revolution
Richmond in these very days was never
gayer. The theaters were in full BIAS
and balls were given. Amusement
seemed to be necessary to take attention
away from the real danger.
Among the most sanguine at this time
seemed President Davis. At reception
given at the executive mansion on Feb
%, 1865, he said: eff worst comes to
worst. we have only to pass the bill, now
under consideration in congress, armine
the negroes, end the tide will immedi
| ately turn in our favor"
The cabinet all agreed with the presi.
dent in this. Alexander H. Stephens,
| who only went into the Confederate
cause when his state insisted upon ii,
was equally confident.
The bill in question was passed soon
after by the Confederate congress. and
was the means of Fastening rather than
retarding the downfall The crisis that
had been threatening all through the
month of March arrived on the I'd day oil
April. Col. Smith described 1t as per.
feet day. The Virginia spring was we'll
along. 1t was Sunday, and the town
was quiet except for the constant tramp.
ing of soldiers. The sullen roar of dis.
tant cannonading was sound that had
become so familiar to the people that il
failed to attract even passing comment.
In the midst of the services at the
church where Mr.. Davis usually wor.
shipped a messenger arrived and a dis
patch was taken to the president. His
wife and he Immediately left the house Of
worship, followed by large crowd, who
seemed to feel instinctively that some
thing unusual had happened. 1t was
only short time till the announcement
was made that Richmond was to be
CfatuatOhs hC Atutuct COntueiOu Gu
sued. No one seemed TO know the full
Significance OF these words. Some cursed
Others began Immediately to pack up q
few of their most cherished personal be.
!ongings, as one would do preparatory To
deserving burning building. Still 9th
ers determined to remain and take what
ever came.
The message which Davis had received
at the church was from Gen. Lee. 1t wal
to the effect that the danger was very
great and that not moment should bl
lost in getting the government out o
Richmond. Reaching home Mr.. Davi.
made preparation for instant departure
The excitement increased every minute
Col. Smith declares that he never wit
messed anything that approached it
Men, women and children mounted OF
horseback and in all manner Of vehicles
and on foot were Fastening from the city
1t was nearly dark when Mr.. Davis en-
tered the carriage that was waiting t
convey him to place OF safety. He wa
apparently as calm and collected a
sha....H H. -. a