| From the Raleigh Confederate |
| |
| April 5, 1865 |
| |
| The Evacuation of Richmond |
| Danville, April 4 |
| The evacuation of Richmond
commenced Sunday afternoon, President Davis, and Cabinet arrived here
Monday, very few persons were able to leave the city except Government
officials in consequence of the suddenness of the movement. The enemy
broke through Lee's lines Saturday night near Petersburg after several
days hard fighting and made it necessary for him to withdraw so as to
uncover the capital. |
| The position of the army now unknown. No
telegraph beyond the Junction {of the Richmond
& Danville RR and the South Side RR}. The Richmond Arsenal and the Banks in
the city, and the specie belonging to the Government were removed {on
the Richmond & Danville RR}.
Passengers by the last train report a great mob in the city, burning
mills, warehouses and plundering stores. This was done by foreigners
and the low classes. The rolling stock of the Richmond & Danville
Railroad were all saved. The enemy had not occupied the city at last
accounts. |
| The President will probably remain here
for the present, all the Richmond, newspapers left in the city. Gov.
Smith went towards Lynchburg. Archives of the State Government left
behind. |
|