Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-16
IN THE LAST DAYS.
The Occupation of Farmville by the
Federal Army.

The Occupation of Earmville by the
Federal Army.
DR.. W. W. II. Thackston contributes
this to the Farmville Herald:
The saddest day that ever dawned
upon the people Of Farmvilie was April
Z, 1S65-a day never 10 be for
gotten by a people who had worked
and prayed, who had fought and bled.
who had given the blood and lives of
kindred. friends. and fellow-citizens for
a cause they then and still believe TO
have been just and right-a cause which
their patriotism and their religion fully
recognized and approved and which
they had fondly trusted Heaven would
smile upon and prosper; but alas! a
day marked by the retreat Of brave
and gallant army, decimated, reduced in
numbers, ragged, worn, and hungry, but
still barring their breasts 10 the 'leaden
storms" and fearlessy contesting every
inch of ground, repulsing and checking
the advance OF overwhelming numbers
who were in rapid pursuit with all the
''pomp and circumstances" with all the
resources and appointments and all the
paraphernalia Of victorious and con-
quering host. So was ushered in upon
the town of Farmville. April z, 1866.
Was IL strange or remarkable that a
pail should have spread It's sombre folds
over the homes, and shrouded the hearts
of our people with gloom and doubt and
almost despair? or that with many
Faith IN Providence was stretched
and strained to it's utmost tension? or
that with some the maxim of Napoleon.
that Providence was always on the side
OF the heaviest artillery and the strongest
battalions," should have been accepted as
correct and true?
Attrition, exhaustion. and disaster had
befallen the efforts. the skill, the gall
lantry the sacrifices, privations, and
hareships OF the noblest army upon which
the sun Of Heaven had ever shed It's
rays. and victory was about TO perch upon
the banners of an invading foe.
Trusting to the righteousness OF a
cause and principle which we yet believe
will be INDICATED by truthful, honest.
and impartial history; trusting TO the
promises and pledges Of the leading ma
tons abroad for sympathy and reeogni-
ton, but betrayed, deceived, and aban-
doned, the Confederate States had main
tanned for four long years bloody and
most unequal contest in which southern
valor and courage. southern gallantry,
and endurance were illustrated and i'm
mortalized upon more than hundred bat
tle-helds, In which the enemy, always
outnumbering our forces, were defeated
and vanquished.
But the South had from the beginning
been isolated, blockaded and shut out
from all outside aid or assistance, while
its enemy had the world from which
TO draw supplies, and 10 recruit and re-
enforce his whipped and routed armies.
Europe was dotted over with stations
to gather In the "Hessians" and MERGE
naries Of 1876, who focked TO the
MI o. M rHC hcfr
money. AMI rehlled the crushed and
broken ranks Of the North.
The Confederates, thinned and ex-
hausted by losses In battle, worn almost
10 a thread by privations, sickness, and
unceasing watching, marching, and fight
ing, their army could not longer hold the
lines of defence around our capital city,
but, still brave and dauntless, took up
the lines Of march TO our mountain fast
ness or TO form a junction with the Army
OF the Tennessee. under General Joseph
h. Johnston, where they might still fight
and fall, or conquer for their homes and
hearth-stones. A weary and exhausting
march from our broken lines, with no
rest, and daily combats with the pursuing
enemy, our still gallant undlsmayed yete-
rams. with nearly as many prisoners as
they had men In ranks, reached our town
the evening OF the 9Th Of April. Every
thing possible was done by our citizens to
relieve and minister to the wants and
needs OF the men who to the last had
stood true and faithful.
LITTLE LEFT.
There had little been left US IN the way
OF food or supplies OF any description
our own commissaries and ouarternasters
had well nigh Cleaned US out" Of ali
but bare subsistence before the army
reached our town. but the little left was
oheerfuily divided with the soldiers TO
the last crust and crumb.
The morning OF the Tth was ushered
In with clouds of potent. clouds in the
air around and above US. and darker ana
blacker clouds Of northern soldiers, bum
mers, and thievish camp-folowers.
covered nearly all the visible surface of
the land about us. Our worn and foot
sore men were promptly called into
Zine OF battle" to check the advance OF
the enemy, and took position upon the
heights OF historic Bizarre" which over
looked the town, and commanded It's APP
proaches. General Lee. TO protect his
supply trains. felt obliged 10 hold the
crossing OF tho river until they could |
get beyond the danger OF capture. and. |
anticipating . battle Ia or across the !