New-York tribune., 1911-12-17

eve took Richmond at s15 o'clock inns
morning ] captured many guns. Enemy
left i'm great haste. The city Is on nre 10
two places. Am making every effort 10
put II out"
wild shouts Of rejoicing arose from the
group who heard the message read. The
general alone, who never manifested the
slightest sign Of emotion either over VIC
tory or defeat. showing no marked evil
dence of feeling
II am sorry I did not get this before VIC
left the President" said he However,
suppose he has heard the news by TINS
time. Let the news be circulated among
the troops as rapidly as possible
The end was not far off.
4 correspondent Of The Tribune was
among those who entered Petersburg carly
on the morning of April 3. AS the writer
rode through our lines toward the city at
daybreak." ne wrote. the troops were all
astir: knapsacks were being slung. blank
cts rolled. and every preparation made Tor
an immediate advance. Portions OF our
troops had occupied the town two hours
before. but the majority were denied the
pnvlable pleasure Of breakfasting In the
Cockadc city. general fusilladc was
sounding along our whole line. and as II II
were impossible to indulge sufficiently IN
other noisy demonstrations. muskets were
omptiod of their charges to add TO the uni
vcrsaI din. Bands were playing Hall Co
unbia.' Yankee Doodle Kingdom COM
in Wen All Drink Stone Blind, 1.ani-
gan's Ball polkas. waltZes-ln fact. almost
everything of patriotic or an enliyening
character. II seemed as II Orpheus him
self had gone mad and was trying to rem
der from all of his creations OF lighter
music a grand. triumphant and heaven
swelling chorus in honor of the occasion
Amid this torrent Of mellifuous sounds
arose from one Of the bands that grand Old
! refrain,
Praise God. from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, yc people here below
indicating that some, at least, believed II
hut lust and proper to blend Thanksgiving
with the general jubilation. And thus ala
the noble old Army Of the Potomac and It's
brethren from above the James celebrate
the victory won by their long years or
persevering toll.
when / entered the town men in
blue were clambcring up public buildings
to display their respective flags, and the
city rcsounded with the tramp Of armed
men I'm every direction. The coming OF the
colored troops was the signal for the great
est enthusiasm among the native black
population Of the city. All sorts of demon
strations Of pleasure were INDUCED in. and
when regiment of blacks advanced up
Washington street singing,
Say. darsies hab you seen dc massa
with de mustash on his face
Go down the road some time dis moIhH
Like he gwine TO leab de place.
their delight knew no bounds, and they
gave vent to their feelings in all kinds Of
actions and words.
But the most noticeable OF their move
ments was their congregation in large
squads on the street corners, where score
or more seemed absorbed In lighting Con
federate cigars This was subsequently
explalned by my colored barber in this
wise: Last week said he. any colored man
found smoking on the street was punished
with fifteen lashes, and now dat you alrs
has come. me can smoke as much as me
please.
But few evidences were discovered on
entering the town of great destruction Of
life on the rebel side. They had removed
their dead and wounded. TO hide from the
eye Of our victorious army the full extent
of their disaster The city presented the
appearance usually noticeable in every
rebel town falling into our possession.
Doors were closed and window blinds shut
but. IL I mistake not. saw many a curious
eye intently peering into the street. True
the number Of cOntrabands Of all ages and
sizes congregated on street corners was
legion. and Of ancient and crippled whites
not Il few, but the fairer sex kept close
within doors dsdaning to exhibit their