The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1913-05-10

1863 The church bells of Rich.
mond had rung out the summons
10 divine service
At St Panl's Episcopal church the
usual large and aristocratic congrega
tion listened attentivey to the earnest
discourse OF the Rev DR. Minnigerode
Jefferson Davis. the chief executive of
the southern Confederary, occupied his
pew IN the middle Of the central aisle
nearly opposite the now vacant one
belonging to General Robert f Lee
An orderly In uniform entered the
church somewhat preeipitately yet
'swithout disturbance. and delivered a
telegram to MIR. Davis. who quietly
rose and went ont. The occurrence
was noticed but attracted no special
attention among congregation who
during the four wears past Ind grown
accustomed To sudden ALARMS aud I'm
timely notice OF threatened attacks II
was he day after the battle Of Five
E'rrks
The dispatch was from General Lee
announcing his withdrawal from Pc
tersburg and the consequent necessity
for the immediate evacuation OF Rich
nona. Immediate evacuation" meant
getting ont by O'Clock that night
The nrws spread AS oniy such news
aD Women prayed. men wept and
cursed aud dehed: children wondered
ile@rh.s rather enjoyed the excitement.
especially after the issue OF a,procla
nation to the effect that all who wish
ri might come TO the rommSSary de
oartInent and get free provisions.
AS for the soldiers, they had their
cs1ers rom General Lee: Troops were
0 leave their lines everywhere Ut !
O'clock that evening and take up the
Inc Of march for Amelia Court House.
small Virginia village on the Rich
nond and Danville railroad, some for
| miles southwest of Richmond.
Early In the afternoon Colonel Rob
| .rt dillingham; hastily disnOunted from
| as horse In front Of IL house in Frank
| IN street and sptitng up the front
| steps Before he reached the door 1t
lew open and Gertrude, freshly dress
! Il in white lawn. extended both hands
| u eager welcome. BESIDE her. in black
| william clothes, stood what looked like
he ghost Of Kerchival West In the
mck ground appeared another familiar
,:rlptom Of the far paSt-none other
than Dr Eliingham OF Charleston. now
white haired aud more aged looking
i.ian the lapse OF years alone should
have called for.
SISTER. Kcrchlvai old boy. Uncle!'
painted Rob full Of excitement Were
you prepared for the news: What do
you think you'll do?'
"EerchivaI and are going to be
married right away" answered Ger.
trudc. with the astounding iinnerturba.
bilIty OF one who had arranged and
settled everything
"Marriedr' gasped Bob, instinctively
clntching the air. as ir for support
"Now-at such time? Don't you
know that | am under marching or
dcrs and that President Davis and
the cabinet are to leave for Danville
by the evening train and that the Fed
eral army will be occupying Richmond
by this time tomorrow
Yes. Robert. We were I'm church
this morning when the news came
kerchlvai ana have figured 1t all ont
and the doetor agrees with us-that MS
Richmond has fallen and Kerchiva
has been released from Libby on pa
role and unclesis here from Charleston
the only way for us two to guard
against separation again Is to get mar
ried now so that can be with
my husband. whatever happens. Sc
we have sent for the Rev. DR. Min
nigerode, and. now that you are here
the ceremony can be performed and
you be of to join General Lee in hall
an hours time, for suppose he vii
need you now more than ever"