The National tribune., 1904-08-25
scALs oFHiLES:

vas already at Sutherlands Station on the
Southside Railroad, 10 miles west of
Petersburg. and Sheridan. with the cav
airy. OH the night of the ID bivouacked at
Fords, 10 miles still further to the west.
These moves compelled Lee, at the outset,
to make his retreat by the north bank Of
the Appomattox, and threw him upon the
exterior line.
TO the Union force set free for pursuit.
i'm case that should be the order. was
added, on the night of the I'd, the Second
Corps under Humphreys, to whom was at
the same time sent pontoon-train. The
Sixth and Ninth Corps and Ord's COM
mand, meantime, held their close-drawn
lines Of investment around Petersburg,
while from the north side of the James
WeitZel watched Richmond.
But not all the wary eyes of peering
pickets served to discover what was that
night passing in the Confederate camp.
When the long twilight of that May day
Sunday had faded out in the west, and
deep darkness had settled down over the
sleeping Union host, a'ent withdrawal
was begun from the " 1 lie Confederate
front. The Petersburg force, retiring
noiselessly through the town, filed over to
the north bank of the AppomattOx.
Thence marching northward to Chester
field Courthouse, midway between Peters
burg and Richmond, it was joined by the
division holding the front of Bermuda
force remained on the Richmcnl side was
drawn in. and moved southwark to Ches-
terheid Courthouse, when the whole Con-
feGerate army headed westward. The
evacuation was conducted with wonderful
address; and the march being pushed Wig
OrOusly all night, the Army of Northern
Virginia. now reduced to $4,000 men, had
by dawn put 1G miles between it and
Petersburg.
IFE MaNI-yFRING FOR TERMS pFRuApS
1t is said by those who were with the
Confederate commander. that his spirits
were unusually light and cheerful on the
morning of the Sd. Il have got my army
safe out of its breastworks," said he, land,
i'm order TO follow me, my enemy must
abandon lis lines, and can derive no fur
ther benefit from his railroads or the
James River" What then might he now
reasonably hope for? He could certainly
not dream of the triumph of his cause.
That is not to be supposed. But he might
hope so to conduct affairs as to obtain adj
vantageous terms Of peace for the Confed-
eracy. And it is certain that he did ex-
pect to effect a successful retreat-to es-
cape entirely from the tolls of his antag-
onist--to unite with the army under John
q ston, and then so TO act as to elicit good
Oyertures not only for the capitulation of
his army, but for the settlement of a basis
of peace, which, the Confederate Govern
ment being fugitive, lie took it upon him
self TO negotiate should opportunity be af-
forded. How this hope was dashed to the
ground, as well by unforeseen msfortunes
that befell Lee as by the prodigious vigor
with which Grant pushed the pursuit, will
appear IN the course of this narrative 1t
is now necessary 10 look TO the dispositions
end movements of the Union columns.
PETERsBURG FOUND USDEFESDED.
Wien in the gray dawn of Monday,
April 3, the skirmishers advanced from
the lines before Petersburg, the city was
found 10 be evacuated. At the same time
the Union force on the lines confronting
Richmond from the north side of the
James was startled by clamorous uproar
and the sky was seen 10 be lit up with q
lurid glare. Surmising the meaning of thi.
direful bazon, Gen. Weitzel threw for
ward L cavalry party that, entering the city
without let, planted its guidons on thu
Capitol.
Thus Richmond fell, Marvellous as hat
been the one years defense Of the Confed
crate capital its fall was not less strange
Occupied. not captured. Richmond. to gain
which such hecatombs of lives; had beer
sacrificed, was ut length given up by til,
civil authorities 10 body of 40 troopers
The explanation of the portentou,
sounds and sights was soon learned. Tt
the rear guard, under Ewell had been lef
the last duty of blowing up the ironcla,
vessels i'm the james and the bridge.
across that river; and it was the noise o.
the explosions that first announced to Gen
WeItzel that Richmond was given up. Blu
the Confederate officials. i'm addition I,
this work Of destruction (which cannot b.
condemned OH the score that it was no
warranted by the rules of war) adopte e,
measure shocking to every sense of hu