The New York Herald Newspaper, April 6, 1865, Page 1

“WHOLE NO. tet Interesting Details of the Occu- pation of tho Rebel Capital. Majors Stevens and Graves the _ iret to Enter the City. Jeff. Davis Takes the Rail for Danville. Zixtra Billy Smith, the Governor, Zeaves His Wife to Look After His Furniture. THE REBEL CABINET NOWHERE. The Virginia Legislature Evacu- »s ate in a Canal Boat. MRS, GENERAL LEE REMAINS IN TOWN, Weitzel Captures Five Hundred Cannon, “Five Thousand Stand of Arms and Six Thousand Prisoners. ONE-THIRD OF THE CITY BURNED. President Lincoln in Richmond *. on Tuesday. ae fe Received with Great Enthu- Slasm by the People, The Rebel Rams Blown Up and Sunk. MORE DETAILS OF THE RECENT BATTLES. HOT PURSUIT OF LEE'S FORCES. Probable Dispersion of the Rem- nant of the Rebel Anny. ’ INTERESTING INCIDENTS, be, be, te. ~ecretary Stanton to Major General Dix. Wan Durarrucrt, ‘Waammarox, April 6—8 P. M, } viajor General Joux A. Dix, Now York :— ‘The following telegram gives all the details received by 1¢ Department in relation tothe military operations at ‘chmond not heretofore published. “ EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. —- Assistant Secretary Dana’s Despatch. Aszn’s Laxving, Va., April 6—11:30 A. M. fon. B. M. Stawrow, Secretary of War:— Little is known at City Point. There are but few off- ama left, and these are overwhelmed with work. Lee telegraphed Devis at three P. M. of Sunday that owas driven back and must evacuate. This was an- ‘ounced in church, Davie had sold his furnitare pre- fously at auction, and was ready to leave, All the lead- \g mon got away that evening. ‘The rebel tron-clads were exploded. The Virginia lies ink ia the James river above the obstructions. Ewell set the city on fire, All the business portion of vain street to the river was destroyed. The bridges sroes the river were also destroyed. ‘Many of the families remain. Mra Lee remains, At Petersburg the public stores were burned, anda ow houses canght fire, but not much damage was done ‘othe city, The bridges there were also destroyed. 1 will weport fully fram Richmond. I cannot get a clear idea of our loss, The only general led te Winthrop, Potter is dangerously wounded in ve groin, General Grant has commanded the armies in person pee the beginning of the operations. ©. A. DANA, Assistant Secretary of War. —_—— Secretary Btanton’s Second Despatch. Wasmoron, April 610 Fae” } «njor Genoral Joan A. Dix, New York :— A telegram, just received by this department ‘ichwond, states that General Weitzel captured in Rich- ond one thousand well prisoners and five thousand bel wounded found in the hospitals; five hundred eces of artillery and five thousand stand of arms wore peared, The President went to Richmond yosterday, and Yo. med to City Point to-day. fhe Surgeon General reports that Mr. Seward, who 8 thrown from his carriage this evening, 1s doimg well, oarm was Dewween ibe elbow and shoulder, ‘His face was much bruised. The fracture ‘hes been re- duced, and the cawe presents no alarming symptoms. EDWIN M. STANTON, Becrotary of War. Seerctary ee Despatch. 14 DEPARTMENT, } wisasieee, bet 5-11 P.M. ‘To Major General Joun A. Drx, New York:— General Grant telegraphs to this department from Not- toway Court House as follows:— Last night Genoral Sheridan was on the Danville Rajl- road, south of Amelia Court House, and sent word to General Meade, who was following with the Second and Sixth corps by what is known as the River road, that if the troops could be got up in time he had hopes of cap- turing or dispersing the whole of Lee’s army. T am moving with the left wing, commanded by Gene- val Ord, by the Cox op direct Burkesville road. We will be to-night at or near Burkesville. T have had no communication with Sheridan or Meade to-day, but hope to hear very soen that they have come up with and captured or broken up the balance of the Army of Northern Virginia. In every direction we hear of the men of that army going home, generally without arms. Sheridan reports Lee at Amelia Court House to-day. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Secretary Stanto Fourth Despatch. War Derarrxesr, Wasmnatox, April 6—10:20 P. M. } Major General Joux A. Dix, New York :— ‘The following details respecting the capture of Rich- mond and its occupation by the Union forces have been telegraphed to this department from that city. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. General Weitzel learned, at three o’clock on the morn- ing of Monday, that Richmond was being evacuated, and at daylight moved forward, first taking care to give hia men breakfast, in the expectation that they might have to fight. He met no opppsition, and on entering the city was greeted with hearty welcome from the mass of the people. The Mayor went out to mect him and to surrender the city, but missed him on the road. General Weitzel finds much suffering and poverty among the population, The rich as well as the poor are destitute of food. He is about to tesue supplies to all who take the oath. Tho inhabitants now number about twenty thousand, half of them of African descent. It is not true that Jeff. sold his furniture before leaving. It is all in his house, where I am now writing. He left at soven P. M. by the Danvillo Railroad. All the members of Congress escaped. Hunter has Gone home, Carson Smith (?) went with the army. Judge Campbell remains here. General Weitzel took here one thousand prisoners, be- sides the wounded. These number five thousand, in nine hospitals, He captured cannon to the number of at least five hundred pieces. Five thousand muskets have been found in one lot. Thirty locomotives and three bun- dred cars are found here. The Petersburg railroad bridge is totally destroyed; that of the Danville road partially, so that connection with Petersburg can easily be made. All the rebel vessels are dostroyed, except an unfinished ram, which has the machinery in her perfect. ‘The Tredegar Works are unharmed, and the machinery here to-day, under General Weitzel’s orders. Libby Prigon and Castle Thunder have also cecaped the Gre, and are filled with rebel prisoners of war. ~ Most of the editors have fled—especially John Mitchel. The Whig appeared yesterday as a Union paper, with the name of the former proprietor at the ead. Tho theatre opens here to-night. General Woitzel describes the reception of the Presi- dent yesterday as cnthusiastic in the extreme. THE HERALD DESPATCHES. OCCUPATION OF RICHMOND. Mr. William H. Merriam’s Despatch. Executive Mantion or Jerr. Davis, } Ricuxorp, Va., April 8, 1965. ave the national honor and pride to announce the fall of the Confederate capital, and ite unconditional sur- render to the gallant Major General Godfrey Weitgol, and the forces under his command, al seven o'clock this morning. DETERMINATION OF DAVIS AND 00. 70 EVACUATE. It seems to have been determined as early as last week Tuesday, at an impressive war council held here, composed of Jefferson Davis, General Lee, the Con- federate Cabinet and a largo number of the leading generals of the rebel army within reach of the falion city, that any attempt fo longer hold those im- mense and powerfully constructed fortifications, rang. ing in several lings of outer, continuous and inner Mines of works in the immodiate front of the city, as well ag the city itself, was no longer practicable, and that an immodiate and general evacua- tion of thom, looking to the surrender of the city to the forces on the north bank of the James, was most impera- tively demanded by the oxigencies growing out of Gcne- ral Grant's splendid combinations. riest nemmarioy or Ti wirmpRawat oF THE ENEMY. At about three o'clock this morning General George F. Shepley, chief of stafto Major General Weitzel, felt convinced, from the statements of the large number of deserters coming within our then lines, confirmed by despatches from General Harteuff's lines on the Bermuda front, that all the rebel works around Richmond were being evacuated, and that Lee and his army, and Jeff, Davis and his government, had already taken up the only available line of retreat to the North Carolina boundary, and that the way was clear for the occupancy of the rebel capital by the forces of the United States. General Weitzel telegraphed those conclusions to Lieutenant General Grant, who replied instantly, say- ing that he had no doubt that General Weitzol could occupy the city without the slightest difficulty. TUR SURRENDER. On the instant General Weitsel, so clear was his mind upon aul despatched Major A. H. Stevens, of the Fourth Massachusetts cavalry, and Major E. EB. Graves, of his staff, with forty cavalry, to investigate the condition of affairs on the roads leading to the rebel works and thence to Richmond. This party had soarcely proceeded far within the rebel lines when they espied a shabby carriage approaching, the driver waving a white fing. Approaching this vehicle, it was found to contain Mayor Mayo, the head of the Richmond city govern- ment; Judge Meredith, of the Superior Court of Rich- mond; Judge Lyon, and several other worthies of the rebel persuasion, who announced that they had come out to surrender the city to the competent authority. This took place within a distance of two miles from the city, after the Union majors had found their way through several lines of torpedoes, and was marked by the fol- lowing conversation :— Mason Srevers—Who ie in command of this flag of truce ? Joven Meneprra—It is Mr. Mayo, Mayor of the city of Richmond. The Judge at the same time introducing the Mayor and all of bis associates to Major Stevens and Major Graves. Mayor Mayo then handed Major Stevens a small slip of he Upon which was written the followin, tie fie ey formally surrender to the federal au- sponte Rn ¢. Ricl dmorton, abd hitherto capital of the ing eye up to ‘ne tm tte, and the defences protect- The document was anproved of, and, Major Stevens ag- NEW YORK, THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1865. cepting its terms in behalf of his commanding general, 6 Was ai once transmitted to Major General Weitzel, who had already vent out his skirmish line, and upon there- ceipt of Mayor Mayo’s surrender instantly. moved his column upon the evacuated city and took possession. ‘THE FIRST TO ENTER THE CITY. The yallant Majors then took charge of the rebel flag of truce party, and advanced upon the city—two capabl2, efficient and popular officers of the stout old Army of the James thas being the first, with their escort, to enter the fallen and capitulating capital of Rebeldom. TRE NATIONAL YLAG RaIsED, With a thoaght and e flash they immediately pro- ceeded to the dilapidated structure wherein treason hes run riot for the past four years, and, creeping to its eum- mit, planted the Stars and Stripes where, but a few hours before, the detestable symbol of the crushed spake kissed the balmy breezes of the morning. The'national symbols thus hoisted by the halyards consisted: of two bright and tasteful gridirons from Companies B and H of the Fourth Massachusetts cavalry, of which the noble Stevens is one of the ablest fleld officers. The colors of the Union were greeted by prolonged cheers and other popular demonstrations of applause on the part of rebel civilians and contrabands. ‘THE OITY ON FIRE. All the commercial part of the city was found to be in flames, General Early having ordered the destruction of the public buildings, which order General Breckiuridge, rebel Secretary of War, strove carnestly to have counter- manded, but without avail, RFFORTS TO EXTINGUISH THR FLAMES. Major Stevens directed the alarm bells to be sounded, and at once assumed direction of the Fire Department of the city, consisting of a few men, two steam fire engines and four worthless hand engines, and a large amount of hose, ruined by the retreating rebels. The following is Major Stevens’ order upon the sub- ject: — General Order—No. 1. Crry or Ricuwoxp, Va, April 3, 1865, This city now being occupied by federal forces, the officers of the Fire Department and police of the city will immediately report to the Mayor's room for tustruc- tions, for the purpose of preserving property and order in the city. By command of Major General GODFREY WEITZEL. Atnerrox H. Stevens, Jr., Major and Provost Marshal, Twenty-fifth Army ‘corps, THE Cary SAVED, The efforts to subdue the flames were arduous but finally successful, and to-night the city is exceedingly quiet in all respects, under the sway of Colonel Frederick L. Manning, Provost Marshal General of the Army of the James and of Richmond. ARRIVAL OF GENERAL WEITZEL AND STAFF. Major General Weitzel and staff, arrived in the city at about twenty minutes to eight, and were received with Joyful acclamations by the troops and the populace; the bands playing and the soldiers cheering. The entry of the Commanding General was truly a triumphal one, and added to the martial arder of the soldiers of the Ar- my of the James, to whose immortal credit it 1s that they entered and occupied the rebel capital, whence the famed nest of iraitors, with Jeff. Davis at their head and John Cabell Breck uwridge at their tail, had just fled. GENERAL WHITZEL'S ORDER ANNOUNCING THE OCCUPATION OF THE crry. On arriving in the city General Weitzel, through his adjutant genoral, Major D. D. Wheeler, issued the fol- lowing order:— yi DeTACHMENT ARMY OF THE JAMRe, er , April 3, 1865, announges The citizens pence are remain for the jetly in thelr hor and to avoid all publi or meetings in the public streets. An efficient provost guard wil! immediately ish order and tranq within the cit: - Martial law i for present, med. Brigadier George ¥. ley, United States Mscmie is hereby appointed Military Governor of ichmond,’ Lieutenant Colonel Fred. L. Manning, Provost Mar. pom ere Army of the James, will ‘act as Provost of Richmond. manders of detachments doing guard duty in the city will report to him for in- by command Major General WEITZEL.. D. D. Wenutas, Assistant Adjutant General. Among those who acoompanied the Commanding Gene- ral and the troops to the city were Colonel Edward W. Smith, an Assistant Adjutant General of the Army of the United States and Adjutant General of the Department of Virginia; Colonel Placidus Ord, Assistant Adjutant General ; Colonel F. L. Manoing, Provost Marshal Gene- ral of Richmond; Captain William B. King, of the De- partment Corps of Engineers; Captain Charles Wheaton, Jt., Department Chiof Commissary of Subsistence; Cap- tain Fred. Marten, Chief of the Department Musters; Captain Lewis H. Bowen, Assistant Commissary of Mus- ters for the Department of Virginia; LAeutenant H. 3. Merrell, Department Staff Quartermaster; Lieutenant Jobn Bishop, of the Connecticut Volunteers and Adsist- ant Provost Marshal of the Army of the James, and the following ent of the Twenty -fifth corps staff:— Volunteers, Geet of Sti aon D. 7. Wheeler, Assistant Adjutant General. anu oe Goodrich, Acting Assistant Adjutant Ceptain Lowis Weitzel dia. de. ma nT Gra A ‘Acting Ald ‘Aid-de.Camp. Vu Ly Goloual 3. A. ‘Acting Assistant In- Chtef of aay. my angiea, Balled States Volunteers, Vv. a Chief pee ren Jr, Chief Commissary of ee be gd me Advocate. F. Howard. ‘Officer. on, foes o Masters. ‘urington, pees Assistant Quarter. he 2 “3 in C. B, ‘Sea Eidetenent ©: O. Phil First Lieatonant ©. B. First Lieutenant H. Strubel, te: Second Lioateant J. L. de ‘Poy ater, Ald Lame Lioutenant E. W. Piper, Acting Commissary of Subsis- GRNBRAL EHRPLEY MILITARY GOVERNOR OF RICHMOND, Brigadier General G. F. Shepley having been announced 8 Military Governor of Richmond has to-day issued the foltowing order :— JARTBRS, yee Governor or Ricumorp, h Ghiet St Am of f Ambulances Signal Officer. effort people of Vii to by fire the capital, wi occupy their arms. Lieutenant Ma General of the the preservation of their beau : hos we mesy ba bd Mente oars tem cney oe aro ine the city, doomed to destruction by the armies tho rebellion. oan Ro peraon wil eare the city of Richmond without the office of the Provost Marshal. Any citizen, soldier, Eximereare “cas "whee or ny whatever’ will be L or offensive ox; or the armies ihe Vaio 5 28 re 38 F Ineulting to of the Union, will here- ace i hmond are respectful: referred Proclamations of the President the t United relation to the rebel! chany property or ‘of ‘any officer thereof, or the records of any public officer whatever, will immodi- report the same to Colonel Manning, Provost Mar- 3 i g g ir EH At 3 f 3 j g “3 Fs a of Richmond are assured a with the restoration of the flag of the Union, oie bf expect the restoration of i tndar te" Col by ene which th ed wi the Onion, of which ing wis Gohoen oa y r Brigadier General United States Volunteers and Muhary of Richmond. PROTECTION OF THR PROFLE AND PRIVATE PROPERTY, Major Stevens is charged with tne execution of the following order :— General Order—No, 2. Heapquarrsns, iceman, Yan ape Rie 1865. } PR mg soldier will, ent enter cater far ny any private sre order from the hi Headquarters rf he Comampandls 4 } venir the Military Governor, or the Provost ‘officer or soldier, with or without such order, eting any private dweling, Wit Gee tinaame, real and officer or soldier entering a private dwelling with- out such authority, or iain to give his mame, rank amor ‘or reporting the same incorrectly, will’be liabl to and po baad punishment. GEO, F. SHEPLEY, Brigadier Goneral Unived States Volunteers and Military ernor of Richmond. ‘THE RUORL WORKS IN FRONT OF RICHMOND. ‘The works in front of Richmond which were occupied by the rebels, and wholly evacuated previous to our oc- cnpaney of the city to-day under General Weitzel, con- sist of three strong lines, wholly envelopmg Richmond. ‘The outer ones are continuous lines, the inner one con- sisting of @ sories of strong redoubts and bastion forte. All these works mount upwards of three hundred heavy guns, all of which we have taken, and would, when prop- erly garrisoned, form au almost impregnable series of de- fenses. ASI rode along these lines they seemed, with the exeeption of the outer one, to have been most indif- |‘ferently garrisoned, and but for the facility with which they could be reinforced at any time by bringing troops up the Petersburg road and crossing them on pontoons, the lines could have been curried by assault. ‘The route which I pursued on entering the rebel capi- tal was that by the Osborn and Ridhmond pike, which leads in a nearly north and south direction, and qnite parallel to the James river. After pasging our picket line the first rebel work encountered was Fort Field, forming # part of the exterior line of rebel defenoe. This work, which isa very strong one in itself, 1s surrounded by three lines of abatis and one of torpedoes. The torpr- does were carefully removed by the advanced guard of Weitzel. These lines of torpedoes were marked out by small flags for safety to the rebels, which flags they neg- lected to remove in their hasty flight. The’ camps of the rebels were loft entire—tents standing and furniture within. After passing this line we came upon the second Hine, which was equally as strong as the first, excepting as to abatis and torpedoes, The third line is just out- side the edge of the town, is situated on high ground, and ig wel) adapted to satisfy the conditions of defence. Each of the detached works forming this line sweep a portion of the line in front of it by its fre, and render- ing that front line untenabis when reached. These works, like the others, monni heavy guna, many of which were navy guns, probably captured at Norfolk in | the early part of the war. Communication between | these works and those on the other side of the river was maintained by four bridges, some of which were pontoon and some ‘pile, im addition to the three railroad bridges at and in Richmond. PARTICULARS OF THE REBFI. EVACUATION OF THE WORKS AND GuTY. The evacuation of the works and city was not generally understood by the troops and people till yesterday (Sun- day) afternoon. The necessity of the movement, as already intimated, was rendered imperative by General Grant’s successes on the left. At bail-past three o'clock yesterday a‘ternoon Jeff. Davis, while in church, received adespatch from General Lee that immediate prepara- tions must be made to evacuate Richmond ang its de- fences at once, as he was wholly unable to: make further headway against Grant's onset on the left, He added that his (Lee's) design was to endeavor to make Danville, and there fortify for a last grand stand. An effort, how- ever, is to be made to fight at Burkes: ille, but it is not thought Lee will bo able to succeed in carrying out this intention. THE PLIGHT OF DAvi¥. Davis J6ft this city last night at eight o'clock by rail for Danville, his family having been seut out five days ego.’ On the train he had horses and carriages embarked, in cage the road was interrupted, in order to easily make his way by these means. In spirits ho was very much depressed, and bore the appearance of an ex- ceedingly haggard and careworn man, his countenance clearly botraying the loss of his cause. He expressed himself as being yet determined not to give up, but to put forth another effort to redeem his hopeless and sunken fortunes. 1 think it may be relied upon that he has nvt yet altogether abandoned his cause, though it is positively known he has but itttle hope left. His resi- dence, when this despatch was written, was desolate in- decd, and everything betokened the extraordinary haste with which ho abandoned his capital and home. BXIRA BILLY SMITH, late so-called Governor of Virginia, did not evacuate the gabernatorial mansion until one o'clock this morning, when he fied, leaving Mrs. Smith behind, and all the furniture in his house, which he had heretofore threat- ened to burn. The residence of the Governor le now the headquarters of General Charies Devens, commanding a divieion in the Twenty-fourth corps, now here. MRS. ORYERAL RB. B. LEK IN RICHMOND. Mrs. Goneral R. E. Loe, wife of the rebel Goneral-in- Chief, is alvo in the city. News has reached here of the death of her son, General W. H. F. Leo, of the rebel army, killed in the batties of last week before Petersburg THE APPEARANCE OF RICHMOND WHILE THE WATIONAL TROOPS WERE ENTERING. 4a wo ontered the town was grand in tho extrome. The entire commercial portion of the city was ip flames, and through the dense lurid smoke would frequently be heard the terrific noises arising from the wholesale ex- plosions of powder, shell and cartridges, which had doubtless been stored for the express purpose of explod- ing to harags our forces and impede our entrance to the city. The effect was wholly the reverse, and I do not hear that a single life was lost to-day by these awful out: bursts of powder. AN INCENDIARY ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP THE CITY. Aplan to fire the city again to-night, and to explode one magazine containing twenty thousand pounds of powder, has been discovered by the Union detectives, and frustrated by the arrest of several of the implicated parties. ‘THE REVEL RAMA. My conjectures in despatches sent you this morning in relation to the probable blowing up of the rebel rams in the James river proved to bescorrect to the letter. The Richmond, Virginia and another one, were all biown to pieces this morning, and now lie at the bottom of the James. The Patrick Henry, # receiving ship, was scut- tled. Such shipping, very little in amgunt, as was lying at the Richmond wharves, was also fired, save, perhaps, the rebel flag of truce steamer Allison. ORNBRAL JOMN #, MULPORD IN RICHMOND. General Jobn BE. Mulford, United States Agent for Ex- change, arrived in the city from Varina late in the fore- noon, and was received with the heartiest congratulations by all. The General came up to take charge of the papers and archives belonging to his bureau. He returns to the city to-morrow with Mrs. General Mulford, and will here- after make Richmond bis headquarters. ‘THR ORDER OF THEIR GOING. Tho preparations for the evacuation of there fortified Places began as carly as last Friday night, though, as be- fore stated, the Richmondites did not wake up to what was going om until Sunday, when the determination to leave was announced from the church pulpite. The Jast of them, consisting of Fits Lee’s and Geary’s cavalry, as a rear guard, passed through the city about sunrise this morning. ‘THE VIRGINA LEOIELATORE wore in session #0 late ag nine o'clock last night, when ‘they took @ Series of canal boats and started for Columbia by way of the Jamos River and Kanawhe Canal, ‘THR RXTENT OF THR PINE IN THE CITY. The conflagration commenced by the authoritivs firing the thockoe warehouse, filled with tobnoco, as weil as the large granary establishment on Carey stroct, near Twen- ty-third street, The fire, as before stated, was very de- structive, consuming quite one-third of the city; and in addition to dosttoying the War Department, the general Post Office, the Treasury building, several churches, and many stores, likewise destzoyed the offices of the Rich- mond Enqwirer, Dispatch and Eeaminer; the Virginia Bank, the Farmers’ Bank, and the Bank of Richmond. The Sewtinel amd Whig offices atill stand, Tho Iatior is io be issued to-morrow morning as a Union journal. The United States Custom Houre was saved by reason of its being fireproof, The Bist Chion quartermaster in Richmond was Colonel Wm. V. Hutchings, of the Twenty-ffth army corp. WHER SRECKIVRIDOS Lepr. John Cabell Breckinridge, ox-Vico President of the United States, and ex-rebel Secretary of War, fled the city ¢o late as haif-past six this morning. The bridges leading out of the city—namely, the Dan- ville Ratiroad bridge, the Petersburg Railroad bridge, Mayo's bridge, leading to Manchester and the opposite side of the Jamga—wore severally burned hy (ug. .7mJ, | REMOVED TO DANVILLE. The rebel States capital has been removed to Danville, while the rebel States harness departinent has gone to Milton, North Carouna. At the momené the rear of Lee’s army left, the lagging rebels distributed the commissary stores among them- selves, with great apparent satisfaction. The only exemp- tion to this rule is the sale of liquor. REBRL FLAGS. A lasge number of rebel flags were brought out in the City to-day, and delivered over to Colonel Manning, Provost Marshal General. Many rebel citizens brought forth Union flags, ana stoutly averred that they had always been Union men. Among those who have labored to-day to bring order out of chaos in this city, Colonel Manning and Colonel Ripley, of the Ninth Vermont, commanding brigade, may be mentioned as working with might and main. Captain Fitch and Captain Weitzel did excellent service in putting out the dre. DISTINGUISHED VISITCNS BXPECTRD. The President and the Lieutenant General are expected to visit Richmond to-morrow, ARREWT OF A NUMBER OF REBEL OFFICERS. To-day Captain Charles Wheaton, .Jr., of the depart- ment staff, arrested the following named rebel officers at the Spottswood House for persisting in the utter- ance of disloyal sentiments :— Srorrawoop Hors, Ricumoxp, Va. April 3, 1865. We, the undersigned, give our Ne of honor to re- main in this hotel until ptain C. Wheaton, Jr., returns with further tostructions. JOHN J. McPHERSON, Paymast 8. B. REARDON, Pa: master C. 8. , Ist cay. div T GREGORIE, A.D. C, to Maj. Gon. Rosser. THR REUFL HOSPITALA IN RICHMOND, From Dr. B. P, Morong, surgeon in chief of the First division, Twenty-fifth army corps, I learn that the general hospitals in and about R'chmond, four in num- ber, contain eight thousand beds. There is an average of five hundred patients in each hospital, They are divided into divisions of five hundred beds, each in charge of a surgeon and eix assistants; barrack buildings in very good condition, and whitewashed inside and out; haye plenty of food for two or three days, Most of the sur- geons and assistants have remained at their post hospi tals in the outskirts of the town, on well selected sites. THE NEW MILITARY GOVERNOR OF KICHMOND, General Shepley, by existing orders the new Military Governor of Pichmond, ‘6 a soldier of ripe experience | in the tield, and in the executive duties incident to the position towhich he has been assigned probably without an equal in the army. General Shepley is a native of Maine, a graduate of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, in the class of 1887. After leaving college the General studied law under the late Judge Story, at | the Cambridge Law School, whence he commenced the | practice of his profession in Bangor, Me. Soon after he removed to Portland, Me., and was United States District Attorney for his native State under the administrations of Polk, Pierce and Buchanan, General Shepley has had the good fortune to decline al! political preferment other than that suggested vy his profession, save a candidacy for the Senate of the United States when William Pitt Fessenden was first elected to that position. Under the authority given by the War Department to Major General Butler to raise a New England division, General Shepley took the field as colonel of the Twelfth Maine Volunteers, which cowmand he raised solely upon the basis of his own merits and popularity in his State, At Ship Island he commanded the Third brigade of General Butler's New England division, and on the occupation of New Oricans he was made milttary commandant of the troops and the city of New Orleans. His administration of civil affairs in New Orleans was so successful that the Preeident of the United States appointed him Military Governor of Loul- sianu, which position he held until the election of a civil Governor by the people of that State. Whon General Butler came up the James in May last General Shepley was left in commaad of the District of Eastern Virginia, which he retained until he was ordered to re. port to the Twenty-fifth army corps, where he has been acting as chief of staff to General Woitzel until hisassign ment to-day as Military Governor of the late rebel capital. The success of his civil administration in New Orleans and Louisiana is an earnest of what will mark his oon- duct of affairs in this now anomalous city. This is all that can be asked. ‘THR FIRST TO RAISE THE NATIONAL FLAG. Major Atherton Hough Stevens, Jr., one of two of the gallant oftieers of the United States service, Major E. €. Graves being the other, both of Major General Weitgel's staf, wero the first to achievo the immortal honor of first raising the colors of their country over the rebel capital. Major Stevens is a native of Cambridge, near Boston, Mavs., where he was bora in the yoar 1826, and is con- sequently thirty-nine yoars of age, his birthday oceur- ring yesterday, the 24 of April. Major Stevens was raised to commercial affairs, enjoying tho ordinary ad- vantages of a cOmmon school education in Mussachu- chusetts, a State wi new pride it will be to remember this most noble service of her gallant son. Major Steveny has for yoars been intimately associated with the volun- wer militia of his State, and entered the service in the present war, raising bis own company in the First Massa- chusetts cavalry in Beptember 1861. He is now a major im the Fourth Massachusetts cavalry, but detached on the corps staff of the Twenty-Oft army corps a Provost Marshal General of that organization, in which capacity he is now acting. OCCUPATION OF PETERSBURG. Mr. 6. T. Bulkiey’s Despatch. Januatt's Prrersrvne, Va., ‘April 8, 1868. Although General Grant has spent months of labor und many valuable lives in the capture of Potersburg, now that he has it, and duds the enemy gone, it has lost its value to him, and with morely a passing glance be pushes on after tho retreating foe, Since our advent this morn- ing till pight the streets have preseuted a scene such as never before was witnessed here, The troops of the Ninth corps have been constantly marching through the city, with music and banners and cheers over onr victory. Everything has been conducted orderly; and w- night the good people of Petersburg can sleep in mare peace and quietness than for many months before. The colored population, of whom there i# a goodly number, have seemed almost frantic with joy. They, as well as the whites, had dou- ned their best Sanday clothes, to make as favorable an Impression as possible upon the Yankees, and lined the tidewalks to seo our regiments pase, Exclamations of wonder and sstonishmont were beard constantly, as something strange or new met their gaze. And the colored troops, especially, came in for a large share of attention. With the exception of tobaces, nothing has been dis- turbed or carried off; and the good behavior of the sul- diers has been remarked by all with whom I have con versed. THE EYTECT OF OUR BNOT GREATER THAN AT FIRAT GUPPORED. ‘The upper part of she town bas suffered but little from our guns; but upon going to the lower part of the city, where most of the busi- news houses are located, 1 find @ great change. Here the houses are literally knocked to pieces. Scarce. ly @ building but has been perforated with shell and damaged more or las, and some of them ecutirely des- troyed. Business has of course been almost entirely suspended, both from want of merchandise, and the dangerous proximity of the stores to our guna. Familica, however, both black and white, have occupied the upper stories of the buildings throughout the whoie seige, and | 1 yndorstand there bas not been a single white person killed. OF PRTERSOURO. Petersburg before war nuinbered a population of twenty thousand people, and was the second in eige and importance In the State. Of course since the war the number has been greatly reduced, and I doubt if there are to-day more than five thousand whites left in the place. Itha@ tho appearance both of a city and viliage, as the streets are wide and the yards filled with trees and shrubbery, It is the haadeomest Southern city I have seen since the war, The churches, of which there ‘are twelve, are some of them handsome and costly. The other public buildings are also some them quite Teape table Bofors ho war there werg two hovels ia Souriebing RK HERALD. PRICE FOUR CENTS. condition; but latterly they have both been closed, e4 Cept to let their rooms, the scarcity of provisions making it impossible to supply the guests. They also have two great market houses, both of whick have for many months been more ornamental tham useful. For newspapers they have been obliged, until the ad- vent of ourarmy, todepend upon tho Petersburg Ea pres: The proprictor left his establishment in running order, and is himself running from the people he has 60 long and unjustly villified. “GRANT'S PETERSBURG PROGRESS."” Another paper, however, made Jts appearance this evening, called Grant's Petersburg Progress. It is pub- lished by Major R. C, Eden and Capt, C, H, MeCherry, both attached, I think, tothe Ninth corps. It isa de- cided improvement, in sentiment, at least, on the Je- Pras, and wil!, we doubt not, soon convert the inbabl- tants into g00d loya! people. Several quite extensive cotton and flouring mills are Jorated here and in running order. Market street ia the Fifth avenue of Petersburg, where most of the wealthy citizens reside, and is really a very handsome street. ‘The houses are many of them elegant, and the grounds surrounding jaid out with taste and filled with flowers and shrabvery. GOOD CONDUCT OF THE TROOPS. Guards were stationed to protect all who deswed it; ‘but there did not seem to be a disposition by any of our soldiers to enier the houses or disturb property. THE LADIZi TIMID. Tn this locality the ladies were, during the early part of the day, disposed to shut themselves up, expecting, we ure told, that they would be insulted by our troops; but when they saw how quietly the Yankees behaved they showed themselves ut their doors and windows, and some of them in the streets, GENBRAL GRANT'S HEADQUARTERS. General Grant, while in the city, selected the house of lawyer Wallace for his headquarters, It is a fine, baud- some brick building, situated on Market street. THE DESIRE TO SEK A YANKBE LIEUTENANT GENKRAL, The General did not enter the house, but sat on the front stoop, surrounded by his staff, and was the ob- served of all observers. Several of the pinininent citi- zens called to pay their respects to him, and crowds of people of all colors surrounded the house to catch a glimpse of the greatest genera! of the age. GENERAL MEADE IN PORSUIT OF THE ENEMY. General Meade came into town for ashort time and consulted with General Grant. By twelve o'clock, how- ever, he started in pursuit of General Lee, LEE NEARLY CAPTURED. Yesterday I Joarn that Jeff. Davis, with all his Cabinet, | arrived here to consult with General Lee. They went to the front and were present, during a part of the engage- ment. General Lee himeelf came within au ace of being captured when the Sixth corps broke through the ene- my’s line, Five minutes later he would have been taken, with his whole staif. PARTICULARS OF TUE REUKL GRNERAL WLL'S DRATH. Lieutenant Geueral A. P. Hill was killed, beyond a doubt, in the engagement yesterday. He was cut off with two divisions frota the balance of the army, and was killed while aitempting to fight bis way back. H's body was brought to Petersburg in a coffin and has been sent to his friends, THE ENEMY'S WOUNDED. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded yester- day was quite heavy. All the slightly wounded they ‘took with them, leaving the balance in our hands. Sur- goons were left to take care of them. KOGER A, PRYOR REMAINS DEMIND. Among the celebrities who remained in town is Roger A. Pryor, who was a short time since a prisoner ta oar hands. I saw him to-day walking about town, scem- ing!» content to be once more within our lines. FSTIMATE OF THE CAPTURES OF THE THREM DAYS’ BATTLES. The enomy spiked most of the heavy guns whieh'they were obliged to abandon in their hasty retreat. I have not been able to ascertain officially the numberof guns captured in the last three days, but thimk it will mot fall short of one hundred. The prisoners arc estimated at fifteen thousand. LAB’ ARMY NOT OVER FIFTY THOUSAND STRONG. Tam eatisfied from conversation with citizens and desorters that Lee's army ts not over forty or fifty thou- sand strong, and his men are constantly leaving when opportunity offers. Preparations for the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond have been, I am told, in progress for montha. Supplies have been quietly shipped to Lyachburg in an- ticipation of this result; and that is the present destina- tion of the rebel army. FRELINGS OF THR, CITIBEN®, Among the citizens here there seems to be a general desire to abandon the contest, They will net acknow- ledge their cause unjust, but that they are (00 woak to cope with us longer, and that a further wrote of life is useless. They acknowledyo that slavery ia forever dead, and as that was the primary cauee of the contest it ts bottor to give it up than to fight longer againet such vast odds. NO HALT OV 186 ARMY AT PETPRERORC, With the exception of the Second brigade, Firet di- vision of the Ninth corps, doing provost duty here, the whole army bas left. Tho strects aro ag quict to-night as though no army was within a hundred miles. BRADQUARTERS ON THE NIGHT OF THE 3D. The headquarters of Genern's Grant and Meade to-night are to be at Sutherland station, some ten miles from the city. The army will be pushed abead with the utmost rapidity, end General Leo will find Lyochburg no safer than Petersburg. FURRIDAN AT WORK, General Sheridan wae heard from this morning. He was engaged with the enemy all day yesterday, and was still pushing on. Geucrals Custer’s aud Morritt’s divisions of cavulry were engaged from ten o'clock in the morning till night. The Second division, under General Crook, was guard- ing the train. I did not learn whether the Fifth corps were fighting yesterday. BAILAOAD COMMUNICATION WITH CITY POTHT. The railroad from City Poimt will be completed and running into Petersburg to-morrow. This will, for the present doubtless, be the base of supplies, Large quantities of tobacco, ras, Sarg ‘bacon were destroyed by the rebels befure leaving The citisens complain yreatly because the bacon was not distributed ‘among the suffering inhabitants, The negroes seem to be the only oves who got anything, and they helped themecives. A large amount of tobacco is, without doubt, concealed about the city, awaiting an opportunity to be disposed of. The troops made « pretty thorough soarch in buildiags without safeguards, and succeeded in Dringing to light considerable quantities, Apple brandy was also found in profusion, the effects of which were soon visible, both in officers and men. Revel mouey is ai a decided discount to-day. I saws pegro trying to sell a hundred dollar bill for a dotins in greenbacks, aud he bad considerable difficulty in Ond- ing a purchaser. In my despatch of thie morning J stated that the city was surrendered to General Edwards, of the Sixth corpse. anertionit peancyiane Oy 7mB SUERENOGR @7) Furan® This was true ae regards the line in front of the Sixth corps, but the formal surrender was made to Colonel Ralph Ely, commanding Stoond brigade, First division, Nioth corpx Ho was met by the Mayor and two other Citizens selected for the purpose with a fing uf truce, who made « formal surrender of the city, The foliowing was all the correspondence on the sub- 0, 8 Sau eens Cae Lc a menggeain the protection person and property pre We aoa renpettalss ww. DARCY, CHAS, Perenerono, April 8, 1866. The communieation wen forwarded to beadquarters ‘and the committse assured they stould receive every protection they do“tred. THRER HERALD CONN DC7ONDRIT® AMONG THE MINET OF PETERS ‘Ae usual, two HERaLp corredpondents were amon Wi ¢