The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-22
NO THIRST FOR BLOOD
ANIMATED JOHN Y. BEALL
Pathetic Letter Written Before His Execution
Explains Motives Of Murdered
Southern Hero
Hon W. W. Baker Member Of Virginia House Of Delegates
Southern Hero.

After receiving furlough / spent
some days at my granGmother's in
Chesterfield. and was tnen sent for
by Mr.. Allegro, OF the Enquirer, who
placed me in charge in the printing
and mailing of tho Enquirer at night.
He also had mo placed on light duty
with Major Darlington as clerk In the
passport Office. where / remained until
tho evacuation of Richmond by, Con-
oral Leo. Tho Sunday OF the eYacua-
ton. I was plaed In charge OF the pass
port office, with instructions from Colo
mel Darlington not to ISSUE any pass
ports to any one except by order of the
Secretary of War. and remained in tho
office until about eight O'Clock. After
making out passes for every route
out OF Richmond By order Of the Sc
cretary of War. ! went down and took
charge OF the work at tho Enquirer.
asked Mr.. Allegro. who was at that
time postmaster OF Richmond, II he
wanted me to have the paper printed.
and he replied hc didn't care a rap
what I did. that might print 1t or
not Steam was up and had tho form
brought down and placed on the press.
and told Jim tho pressman to hold on
until I went out on tho street, and !
would come back and tell what to do.
The City Afrc.
When I reached Main Street. / found
that several fires were burning and
that the streets were filled with scream
Ing men and women who were break
ing into stores and carrying away In
wagons and in their arms everything
they could get hands on.
Continuing down Main Street and
turning into Pearl Street. found q
very pandemonium. Stores OF whiskies
and hrandies were being emptied in
the streets, and men and women drunk
and apparently crazy. I went down
to the Richmond and Danville depot,
and found that the mob was breaking
open boxes OF blankets and provisions.
and had set fire to the depot.
Just then ! saw an engine with three
or four box cars standing near tho
bridge. I ran back into the depot,
gathered up an armful OF bacon and
climbed to the top OF one of the box
cars. which was filled with soldiers
The engine pulled out In few min
utes and we reached the 17-nilc pos,
about nine o'clock tho next morning.
/ Jumped down with my bacon and ran
over to my grandmother's, about one.
half mile distant and after giving her
my supply OF bacon walked over to
neighbor's to say Sood-by TO young
lady friend. then walked UP TO Gent
to. and there overlook the 25th Va.
Battalion. Joining them, / continued
with them until tho battle of Sailors
Creek, where after severe battle
nearly tho whole brigade were captured.
about ten OF us getting away after we
had been surrounded by General Sherl-
dams command. again caught up
with a part OF General Lees army a.
High Bridge. and then connected my
self with Texas regiment and con-
tinued with them until we reached
Appomatto Courthouse. We had sew
eral slight skirmishes on our way. but
no pitched battle after Sailors Creek
] was paroled at Appomattox and re-
turned via Howardsvillc to Chester
field. in company OF several of my
friends who were so fortunate as 10 be
able to return.
BcBll's Last Adventure.
After being exchanged, Captain Beall
organized another party and started to