The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18

Major Rays story of His Entrance Into the
city Alter the Comfeherates Left.

HAvEEHTIL. Mass. June 1.-The contro-
vcrsy "a to the Union troops first to enter
Richmond. Va. after it, evacuation by the
Confederate army during the civil war seems
to he settled by n letter in the possession of
Major Albert +. Ray Of this city This coutrO-
Nersv has recently hcen revived in New Eng
land 10y the published statement that Thomas
CosGrove OF East Lexington. Mass was the
first Union solder to enter Richmond on that
memorable day Tho letter referred to was
written by Mrs Pickett. widow Of Gen Pickett.
who led the famous charge at Gettysburg. and
was addressed to Hosea Il. Carter Of Concord,
n, II. As Major Ray was the second person TO
enter the city after its surrender. the letter
WAS sent TO him by Mr.. Carter
The letter says that the writer was living in
Richmond at the time of its surrender. and she.
with others. anxiOusly awaited the appearance
OF the Union troops. When the boys in blue
arrived. Mrs, Pickett first saw the guidons Of
the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. which was
tn" H. ST to enter. and she recognized some Of
the officers OF the command This statement
Is apparently conclusive.
;, Al the time al the siege Of Richmond. Major
Nay was n cQmm4nd OF the Fourth Massa-
chuselts Cavalry. lie was CAPTAIN of Com
Iahy II. whlch was entirely COMPOSED Of Bos-
ton men. and h. served with distinction
throughout the civil war. going out With The he
Cavalry was organized Major Ray was ordered
to Boston. where he was ass gned to tho Can
made in 1874, an in the following year w EaS
the Mon forces began operations about Iich.
bnnI. ana o - success nly tenned the rebels
Of Gen. Mcitzcl. who was in command OF the
Twenty nth Army Corps MAJOR lays y story org
OF he entrance Of the cavalry into tile capitni
Ct the Contederacy. as told in an interview with
The SUI c9rrespondrnt. is interesting,
Ant Sah ri The n@ DAY after the
by Gen, Weitzel to enter Richmond with two
r com los 0, cavalry ! was the senior Cap.
mand. although MAJOR stevens who arc"ni
panic! us, received III" surrender Of the city
Hap Wsm o F HGnE t ot T2 ndrS officer
in immediate commnnd of the second com
n!aMH, # rayalry W9en, our command en-
not entirely left. and there we're also mn n",i
EHcET.l'as. WIZ caused my men much trouble.
city, Aftrrrntering the city we proceeded , d.
rect rrrtiy to the Gaptoli the cnvalrymcn being
company guld"ns md hung them from tho
nf arntc T aS HSI q the bnGs hS
ihlrf found 10y some of the men Iaunmcd in n
b9rrr ~ one OF the attic rooms Of the Capitoi
word that the rehe!s had set fire to the Mnvun
bridge, nna With t"w men / started for the
Sc me OF ,o tHI mrG me bridge leads from Rich
we found that tho Confcderates had piScnI
t nhnrreS n OF tar n the structure ana then set
from across tie river. and as our efforts 10
Iu"nrh the flames were unavaiiinr w. w., -"
turned TO IN" city proper, This fire communi
caltu with arg" buildings in tho immediota
Nl'lnlS' ana inc guerrilas also set many firrS
IN other iarts OF III" city. When 1 lett The Ara
"MS sweeping in every direction Wv ''''
after remaining IN IN" city for two diva
returned I" ticn. McmHrl and was ordera, -
aApp"matt"H Court House with n messar"
Az Ion on nsS' waS Obliged to rass directly
thr p"rl"ncc was unique. arrived nj ia
."urt rouse a few hours after Gen Loo hsI
surrthurTe.i thcn returned TO Grn We,tz"i
anI lpHnd that my cummgnd had beer, tnker'
NJ lilgh BrldE" ~ Gen. LuuEstrcet AMI NJ
kchnond '''"iheu from
-, MAJOR stevens. who receiyekth aur-rndcr
Oh hlchmonl from Mayor Mayo, died Soma
the only OFFICER. left who was with the an pst
com Iany OF Union soldiers that entered ~ ~
city at4r ito evacuation" 'A''i'u the