Year: 1865


April 9Th, 1865.
Probably no army that ever existed ex-
perienced such time of unbOunded re-
joicing as this one has to-day. From
early forenoon to sunset the tide of enthu-
siasm swept from camp to camp and kept
rolling upward III one unceasing flood OF
cheers From Major General to private
the entire army seems to be rapt in trans
port of joy.


need hardly say that the occasion of
all this has been the announcement of the
fall of Petersburg end Richmond. The
glorious news reHAaed Goldsboro about
nine a. N. and soon afterward began to
sweep like Wildfire through the army
Everywhere the bands began to play and
from myriads of voices the Joyous "hur-
rah" swelled in deafening storm upon
the breeze. RjchRs0nd is taken was
the rapturous utterance of every lip, the
thrilling inspiration of every heart. Bat
taliOns, brigades, divisions, and corps wed
with each other in the vociferous express
sionof an ecstacy of delight, while at least
one among them all said to himself in
silent yet unutterable thankfulness "GOd
be praised


Then Richmond is indeed ours! After
four years of stupendous war the capital
Of the Southern Confederacy has sue





lions Of treasure and oceans of blood this
noble government, this glorious Union,
has vindicated itself against the greatest
rebellion, the most gigantic treason of
modern times. After terrific four years
struggle Freedom has gained the earnest
Of speedy and complete triumph over
Slavery, and this magnificent land of ours
is free throughout all its borders GOD
BE PRAISED


The heart sickens as It contemplates
what infinite blood and suffering this con-
summation has cost. The living can rejoice
only when they forget that our triumphant
flag waves over unnumbered graves of
patriot slain. Yet the achievment is fully
worth the sacrifice, ay, more than worth
it. Principles are Of as much more value
than lives as the hopes and destinies of
individuals are outWeighed by those of all
mankind. Whatever the struggle may
cost, truth must triumph over error and
right over wrong.


''Tho conquering mandate by


Humanity given


Rights battle fails not though m en- die


The hosts Of Wrong driv


And earth shall yet with victor souls


Be popuious as heaven


Richmond has fallen Thegreat Baby
Ion of American Slavery Is no more. Let
US rejoice that the power of the tyrants is
broken and that his chosen citadel covers
beneath the starry folds of the banner of
freedom. Let humanity rejoice, let earth
rejoice, for this conquest is the world s.
None can regret, now, that to our genera
tion and our people belongs the praise for
having achieved it.


It is a matter for congratulation that
the capital of the Confederacy is the ex-
elusive trophy Of that noble army which
has so long, so patiently and so heroically
struggled for its capture The Army Of
the Potomac has on many Il hard fought,
bloody field earned the glory of taking
Richmond. To that gallant army all the
praise of It's capture belongs. Let it be
ascribed without stint, and the army of
Atlanta, Savannah and Columbia will say
amen.


Despite this glorious triumph let no one
be sanguine the war is over. There may
be much hard fighting yet, for the enemy
Is desperate and means to die game. The
armies under Sherman are already prepar-
ing to intercept his retreat into the Gulf
States, but the wary foe may elude their
vigilance, surpass their activity, or, with
the bold energy of despair cut his way
through their lines. Yet with careful and
energetic handling of the armies of the
Union the speedy and utter overthrow Of
the rebellion is now certain. Then for
the last crOwning struggle of the war, let
us


Rally round the flag, boys,


Rally again,


Shouting the battle-cry of freedom
Wen rally from the hillside, we II gather from the


Shouting the battle cry of freedom


The Union forever, hurruh boys, hurrah :.
Down with the traitor, up with the star
While We rally round the flag boys, rally once again


Shouting the batte-cry OF freedom"