Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-05
A MOTHERS REM1N1scExoE.
The Fall OF Richmond and Howe II
Was Heard in Raleigh

It was the thirtieth anniversary of the
the fall of Richmond. My children were
discussing an interesting account they
had just read of the thrilling events
crowded into the last days of the Con-
federacy. when one Of them turned to
me and said: Mother, please tell US
what you were doing this day thirty
Can I forget?'' was the answer that
came involuntarily to my lips:
We'll. I've told you of my having been
sent into the southern lines by special
flag Of truce. and of my stay in a Vir-
ginia city until it was attacked by the
enemy. our household being among the
first who had to seek refuge elsewhere.
We went to the lovely city Of Raleigh. N.
c., where the horrors Of war were
as yet unknown. only its pomp and
circumstances. It seemed to be the haven
tractive place, such culture and refine
ment and hospitality. which even Vir-
ginians might envy. Time and again,
would say: Surely, elegant ease is the
into no misfortune like other folk
Months passed In this Tranquil sort OF
way. when one day visitor came for a
little rest from the cares that attached
to his position with Mr.. Benjamin, and
having spent a day or so (and. as some
body said, almost made US bankrupt by
his enormous appetite, having eaten
nearly whole shad at a meal, when
SHdu Wei e S-u d pail u, dHu UtlllS lSSdllcd
to Richmond. promised to warn us by
telegram of any serious change in the
situation provided the government would
allow the transmission Of any intelll-
gence Of that sort. Finding collapse
Of the government imminent, and being
anxious that 1 should seek a place Of
greater safety, he telegraphed: Ike died
yesterday: Confidential" Just think OF
your mother and several others keeping
a secret like this for twenty-four hours
a secret that told us Of the death OF
our dear Confederacy and dashinS Of our
fondeSt hopes!
I spent most of the night packing my
trunks and concealing very large
amount of bank bills that I had worn
in two bags about my waist, but hearing
Of the approach of the enemy, thought 1t
best to secrete it in some place; SO L
went out on the roof of the piazza, and
finding various and sundry. little crevices
beneath the shingles. I rolled these bank
notes into small bundles and stuffed
them into these holes. Think Of the
thousands of dollars that roof represent
ed! In the dead hours of the night l
worked away at my money hiding, fear
ing even to tell the family.
With the early dawn came the news
to every one that all was over for the
South. Then the tramp Of thousands
of weary soldiers-for days together the
cavalry and infantry passed our house,
and our hearts were bowed with sorrow
The unexpected meeting with friends
who belonged to the different commands;
the handshalSe with many one whom
we had mourned as dead, threw some
sunlight on even this dark picture;
1 could not enjoy the music which a
Confederate surgeon said would be my
last serenade from a Confederate band.
Here they were, poor, dispirited fellows,
in the heat of an April day, pay IL! z
''Lorena,'' Ben Bolt and wait TN
the war, Love, Is Over'-which were
evidently intended to have some special
significance But few hours after they
had all gone sufficed to bring the Yankees