The New York Herald Newspaper, July 4, 1865, Page 2

pooner yg immediately wanted. It was, pelle tion of fy left the churett No sone PES Sats Feros. wine mere ovity then thie enapelen inal gence shot from eye to eye of that dismayed congrega- tion, Had ap unseen hand g doom on ‘she wail.in letters of Are, the, effedt’ ould yot have been moro appalling or more instantaneous. “Inother churches @ kindred scene ¢ sued; and thus, from pulpit and ganctuary, as though the people were expressly gathered fogether for such & the dismal tidings spread ‘that the day of doom had dawned for Richmond, prayed ‘they ever so fervently to the contrary. ‘TRS D!MAY OF THE PEOPLE. By two o'clock all was known, or what, in regult, was all—the evacuation of the rebel capital decided on. Beyond this little was certain. Rumor had her count- foes tongues at) work, and victory was as:much believed |° fn as defeat. ‘It was’only a strategic move; only wise to give Lee full scope and not embarrass him with the defence of such a place; better far that the deed so dreaded, when \it was, more distant, bad been consum- matea two “Nevertheless, for all that flagging ‘city was an unbroken ‘TEE BvAcvATiON. Orders were issued, about two o'clock, to the principal oMglals to ail the government remove, ready by sevenvetaigck; what could not be ‘astly trangported were to be destroyod. Orders were ‘eiso given to these same personagesto meet Mr. Davis at the Danville depot by eight o’clock, wage could urge, the of dismay and % Samamonue | From the issuing of these orders to the time of dopar; ture, the city assumed the character of apr Out of every government building hi ce tumbled as if a fre were in the rear "icab wetb Mstica off in wagons, with jaded myles. ane horses —a ‘whipped by shouting ni It was strange. apd suggestive to. observe the hearty will of the ‘colored officials’’—that is to say, the black ‘monsengers and servants of the several ¢ and the teamsters. They worked with an ‘energy and earhest- ness which were either the*rewult of sympathy for the predicament of their employers, or an eagerness to be rid of thom. Which? Many of them followed the f tunes of the fugitive government to Southern Virgi 80, I presume, fo them the answer is easy; but'for the others Iam in doubt, Toward the time of departure every street poured out its contribution of volun- tary exiles—private citizens hurrying to and fro, followed by negroes bearing | portmanteaus,” boxes, valises, carpot bags and. all other sorts of travelling gear. Coaches were in waiting at one in every ten houses—coaches which in most cases took their fair fares to the trains to be disappointed; for, not one-ffth Of those who started to leave were enabled to go. Only. & fow of the privileged beside the officials were thus favored. HOW THE NEGRORS APPRECIATED THE SITUATION. As Iwas myself on the way to join Mr. Davis’ party one scome struck me with singular force. It iga scene of which the Tribune may, perhaps, make much; although I saw it ina far different light from any which Mr. Greeley may yiew it, as I shall take occasion to tell you at another time. I am now narrating, not comment- ing. It is this;—Coming down the upper part of Frank- lin street, above Fourth street—all around being utt disorder and consternation—rushing hither ‘amd th:ther Of excited men equipped as refugees and followed by, or following, such worldly goods as it was possible for. them to transport or get tramsported—coming.down ans i this wild bustle of whitemen, whiter tban nsual, astreamof placid negrges and nogresses, just pone from the'Bécond African.church. They either did not. comprehend the excitement or wore indifferent tot. They were dressed to that gorgeous excess which Thave only noticed .among negroes in the South, and Jooked on, in quiet wonderment, at-what was taking around them. Their sang froid was enviable. an eager gentleman in that moving throng toa ible acquaintance :— ‘Jack, come and help me with this trunk to the Dan. qrille cars.’’ { “I've to see Jane home, sir, or I would;’’ and Jack pooly walked on in his slow gait, inno way disturbed, while Jane whisked her satin dress, as though to say “what impudence!’? not in Jack, but in his white acquaintance. bad ANOTHER STRANGE PHASE amid the tumult was this:—At all the private houses I (passed—houses of rogular Richmond families—the bal- ‘conies wore filled with ladies, evidently resolved to brave ‘the dangers consequent on being left alone. They were mute. They looked terror stricken, and in many caves powerless and irrcsolute. The crisis had come with fearfal suddenness upon them, although for years ft impended. ‘Wolf’ was cried 0 often, that when at last it came, they could not credit the fact, or, crediting dt, they were palsied. It was not resignation; it was mearer akin to desperation. The chances of getting away ‘wore few; the ability to make the effort was of the faint- eat desoription. They beheld fate and saw nothing for it put such a reluctant embrace as necessity enforced. It ‘was woeful to witness their sturdy, stolid sadness, 4 ‘THE RcarR. All the way to the rendevouz assigned for the flying “Presidential party" was blocked by panting fugitives, or by groups of wonder-gapers. At last the Danville depot is reached @ crush of eager men scram- Dling for sdmission to the platform. Two militia regi- ments had parties on duty. None were admitted to the “Presidential train’’ except a specified few, Other trains ‘had gone, others were to go. The crowd must push aside. Provost Marshal Carrington, with a select guard, saw that ‘Ro one entered unless duly authorized. He called fr ani Cabin amiors, to designate hip Apoctal few. Itwas and General Stuart, Colonel Preston Johnston, Colonel Burton Harrison, Colonel Ives, Colonel Taylor ‘Wood and Colonel Lubbock, ex-Governor of Texas. In ‘an adjoining car were the various heads of bureaus and other chiefs. By eight o’clock all intended for this train wero seated ‘and ready to go. Several other trains were in course of Bat it was ton o'clock before the Davis (rain moved. The delay begat a variety of surmises. flome held that Lee had won a great victory, and that tho necessity for going had passed away, Others imagined while the militia, who were doing guard duty, began Gradvaily to “go home;” and before we left not half the Bumber wero at their posts; meanwhile, alvo, pillage and riot had begun in the city, of which we were bliss- fully ignorant; meanwhile, too, a guard of two hundred picked men entered a car ready for them between the @ngine and the Davis carriage; meanwh'le, finally, General Breckinridge arrived with news for the Davis party that Leo could vot save the city, but that the road was cloar, and likely to remain #0 until this precious freight was out of immediate danger. ‘THE FLiGuT sRaUN, ' Then Mr. Davis and his party tightened their spurs to their heels (horses were in a car for the Cabinet and staff), paw to their small arma, leaned back on their seats and the signal puff was given. And then and there began the flight—there, at ton o'clock on the night of April 2, 1865—there, amid a turmor! seldom equalled, and thence through scenes and incidents as varied and harrassing as any in history. ‘THR THOVORTS OF THR FLYING PARTiO. \ The night was supremely clear and calm—the dome of heaven spread out ita radiance, glittering as T have rarely geen it— a Bo ee eee “Silent aa if it watched the sleeping earth.” Tet it seldom shed its peaceful effulgence on more dev. erate deods—soldom flung its glittering mantle over ‘more dismal and degrading scenes—seldom threw its Soyriad rays of ‘‘perfect quiet” into horrors more demo- minc, What was transpiring in the city we were fleeing ‘we had not the least conception of—knew nothing ‘of the fearful acts with which the half starved mob so Yong cbecked, and at tongth lot loose, signalized otir de- of a beaming spring sky—none &@ moment occurred to any of us as possible. all thinking not of the horrors in the city, , but of carnage inthe vicinity of which we wore passing. waa. in what seemed likely to confront usin the front, not in What was raging In the rear, that all our specula- tions centered. sary General St. Joba left us 10 find their way to Lea's headquarters, and there gather consolation or offor it, It was close on and to the dense darkness of the ‘nether earth’ stood oat the bold! brightness of the ‘upper air.” Cooped up ip-that train, with the dim lights of a gasleas station fitting here and there on the platform, one could not avold feeling the touch of doom sending ite direful spasms tobis heart. Tho wind grew bolder and bolder, and cach gust had a dolesome melody. Reba othe a3 am, came sit ih “cm 50 mons." Bleep was as yet attempted by mo one, and se-ane-sp- ‘of ite tntiuonee than ‘Mr. the soul’ betrayed what was passing withm him. He spoke little and only by way of question. “Colonel Lab- bock, of Texas, was the most loquaciéus of his party, To bina it seemed that the part of an ald-de-camp was not fully performed.if he did not sayymuch and bustle more, be doing or seem to be doing a great deal, aid ho discharged the imagined duty fairly. It was bright and calm, he thought, and all tho. usual portents denoted good luck. To which a wag too peftinently replied, from Coleridge's ballad of “Sir Patrick Spens’ T saw the new moon, moon in her arm; And I fear, I fear, my master dear, We have a deadly storm. On we went from this halting place abreast of Peters- burg—on without exacily knowing how affairs stood as to tho battle. That the Soathside road—long a disputed prize—that the avenue of escape was uninvested, e felt pretty certain, and in the security of this knowled+- many gradually yielded to sleep, and asked the god of dreams to Wess them with sweeter visions than reality Indeed thete were several who suspected that the whouw -aing was a dream, and made comical efforts to arouserrom it; comical yet serious efforts. Few could comprehend the calamity which occasioned this flight; few could grasp it in its details or its effects. Ameng those few was Mr. Macfarland, the Richmond bank President, a gentioman once pronounced by the Richmond Examiner as ‘tho most exquisite goul in Virginia,” He bore the horrors of the flight with fashionable bravery, as becamo tho venerable exquisite he indubitably was, He was among the last to pay tribute to Somnus, and Mr. Benjamin among the figt. Had Mr. Macfarland the faintest idea of the sacking and scr.mmaging, the distractions and de- structions, at that very timogoing on in the city of his love, he, who had so much personally at stakethero, would have been the most miserable of all in that misery- filled train, HOW THE CONSPIRATORS LOOKED, Among the earliest to evince somnolence, and to give audible evidence of its force, were two distin- guished preachers, who saw fit Movks they had so often roused, These wore Messrs. Duncan and Burrows; in his way, It was amusing and yet it was melan- choly—a passing practical paradox—to note the efforts of tho famous men who held the central portion of the “Presidential car’ to'avert or ward off sleep. All were long since drowsy, yet few cared to be caught napping. Benjamin whiffed his cigar till midnight, and was soon after midnight whiffed off by Morpheus. Mallory dosed with a good-humored smile playing on his features—a “salle made the pleasanter by the flickering light which fell indirectly on him. Trenholm was by bimeelf, an invalid, attended by his wifo—the ouly Cabinct offeer wlio had or needed the gentle care of “swect woman,” Attorney Genoral Davis took an occasional pull at a brandy bottle which was kept by Harrison and others to arrest the progress of discomfort if not of drowsiness. Reagan chewed his tobacco and ruminated in a lonely way. The only one ofall the throng who seemed, as com- pared: to the rest, a very king m dignity, even to the Tesistance of sleep, was Jefferson Davis; yot washe « sad and sobered looking one. My God! it was a melancholy thing For such a man, who would full fain preserve His soul in calmness, but force mus* feel For all his fighting brethren. Ob, my God! hk cone upon the heart, that he ‘must think t uproar and what strife may now be chasing ‘This way or that way thro’ the silent night. “Silent night?” Verily, ft was silent in all outside our train except the city we had fied from. Grant and Lee were resting on their arms, with bated breath, ready to resume the flerce and bloody and noisome struggle at dawn, and we were hastening as far as prudent and prac- ticable from the vicinity of the conflict, But Richmond, far beb‘nd us, was not silent. Alas! the tumult there was of the most furious quality, anda “silent night” can only be thought of in connection with it if we deem ita silent night forthe regions of Pluto. Of that, how- ever, I presume you have already heard quite enough, For the rest, I have only to say that our car at last slept as it slipped along. I certainly slept, maugre the snoring me. -ARING FOR AN EXPROTED RAsD. we reached the next station north of the manic bulk." He did not propose to 1ide—perhaps he could not—in caso of an attack; all the others were ready to mount at a moment's notice. “Ye won't surely leave me," he cried, as he shivered from the first effect of rousing. The appeal uttered by him, ina Frenchy tone, and somewhat piteously, bad a ludicrous effect, yet so full of concern and mortification were all upon whom the effect told, that no one ventured to laugh, though more than one felt so disposed. On rolled the train into the clear gray of morning, Mr. Davis and ali around him shaking thomsclves with a tremor ora yawn, or @ nervous stretch. No hostile cavalry was in sight; no trace of it could be found on inquiry. Then again repose resumed such sway as was possible under the jolting circumstances of the case. PRLLOW FUGLIVER, ‘We pasred a train of cars between Burkesville and Richmond—a train filled with fugitives—chiefly ladios— from Peteraburg, expecting to find shelter in Richmond. Imagine their dismay on discovering that our train con- tained the emblem of the protection they sought, and bore away from the sanctuary they were flying to a'l that made it, in their eyes, sacred wd substantial. At first they were loath to credit what was told them; but when the aasurance was put so that it wes no longer rea- sonable to doubt, some cried, while most held thetr heads down in utter consternation. “All is up,” shrieked a young soldier in that tra‘n, on his way to rejoin his command under Lee; “all is up," and he could not utter another word. “No, sir,’’ cried Colonel Wood, “all is down, unless ‘absentees like you hasten to the front." The young soldier jumped from the cars, and, with a heart teeming with blended sorrow and rage, dashid to the window from which he was thus reproached, shr.ek- ing, “Damn you, had all the bombproofs like you been as often to the front as i you wouldn't be on the back (track now.” ‘What might have ensied.n0.on0 Can toll, for the sol dior was in for fighting his friends since he could not {m- mediately got at bis foes; but the cars rollod off, and ieft him to his mutterings and she-ootonel to a inild rebuke from headquarters-in-the-cars, Sy oes BURKRAVILLE, which Wo rene st after daybreak, was the first piace at whieh gn Ts mon got off the t. nit Was, +. “first placo we had a clent-oyed view of since the night before. Iam particular in mentionin, 2's for there was something ominous in that Brat ‘aaa ahd fest view, Tt wan a wreck—a woeful tuin—one of the saddest bavoc sights Mr. Davis had yet feon. Raiders had torn it to pieces, and tho pleasant bustling little junction of offer was only visible iw Mepemneeantsied Botbing V6 the duvos Which wee gue, Ye voqigon, Mr, Revie got oul pnd walked a fow = TORE EA, TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1865, amen: early at the station. a was also out, and, even that early, busy at whittling o ‘Stick and chewing his quid. As soon ae the few stragglers: ‘at the station knew that the train contalued their Presi- dent they sought him, crowded around bim, Kindly apd respectfully spoke ‘emothiered toned looked moat eorrowful. Passing from the Jupotion and its traces of destruc- of hunger, and as dainty provisions. were im abundance, ‘We fared sumptuously enough for coerced travellers, ‘The morning was'very fine, and as ‘The level sunshine giimmered with grees light over the landscape all looked fruitful, though neglected. The corn, wheat and oat crops goemed. most, promising; but sic vag mom, gobis. was tho sad commentary of tho ‘Tugitives. A BRRAK DOWN. ‘About forty miles beyond ‘the junction ‘we came up with two, trains which had ‘stopped. Both contained ‘tainor officials and convalescent soldiers, and both gone off the track. ‘The foremost train had one of care broken, five lives being the cost of the forever witiin the confines of 06 common, coffinless preparing for them. was no neod to give Sia zest to Seite ‘wo aif folt! ‘but’ this’ cétainity upon which we so unexpectedly trod ‘eft us Stiznned by death's twice tadrtal macs, | Mr. Davis got out to inguire into the circumstances of “the disaster; all the others Bot out too; but no’one éx, cept myself wont over to where the ‘tnamnlens heroes tay’? in & most molanoholy row—a farmer keep, ing the files from their ghastly tacés and two negroes dig, ging a long hole in which what was left of the luckloas soldiers was to be deposited. . EVIL OMENB AND FREDESTIRATIOR, “Taking this sort of interruption ag an omen, I don’t relish it,” said Benjamin, whon his companions were once more seated. “Yet it {s preferable to the kind we expected,” re- marked a Major Wheeler immodiately behind him, who had a holy horror of Sheridan: “Not preferable," cried Lubbock, sharply. “Some may distrust their personal safety; but we are enough to wh'p ‘a whole brigade of raiders. Give me an interruption from living Yankees, whom I can slay, but no interruption like, this."” “Tt was to be,"’ whined one of the preachers emphatl- cally. LER RESPOMSBIB FOR THR BURNING OF TER BRIDGRS AT RICEMOND, Mr. Davis said not a word, sighed, and leaned back to peer vacantly at dim distance. In about twenty minutes we wore again moving on slowly and drearily, At the noxt station, as indeed at all On the road, anxious in- uirfes were made for news—a message from Leo, or Brockinridge, or any one, At the noxt station we hada inessage, but only in allusion to the burning of the bridges over the James, at Richmond. ‘This’ gave rise to & tart despatch as to the necessity or pélicy of such an act as thus to cut Richmond off completely from the South. ‘Mr. Macfariand would have been strong in his denuneia- tions of it had not the responsibility been shown tohelong to Lee, That was sufficient for any Virginina, if not for any Southron. XO HOPE OR CONSOLATION FOR OTHERS, Although the trains on thia road, a#on all the Southern: roads, had of late beon most irregular, our train was the occasion of mtith wondér—so long, 80 thronged, 80 much better looking than the customary cars, and so unusually early. ° Tidings of the evacuation had floated down the road, but so vaguely that:it was only the presence of the evacuators which really brought the news along. Every face was soleomn—doom glanced out of every throng ‘which pressed to exhibit ite sympathy for their fying President, He could tell them nothing of all they were eager to know, beyond the fact his journey itself told. In vain were crowds clamorous to discover how Lee was whipping Grant ; for, in spite of evacuation, that was the theory—in vain wore eager sisters and mothers piteously asking if this or that brigade was in the fight yet. Words of hope were spoken—glittering consolation freely given ; Dut, though the Southern government, body and soul, ‘was in this train, it had no information with which even to feed its own hopes, or gild its own consolation. No- thing to animate it, except a prowd, defiant confidence ‘that all would yet be weil. I did not hear one word of doubt at any side as to the final issue ; ultimate triumph in the teeth of staggering disaster was the creed of all, or nearly all. For himself the flying President said little, and what he did say bore rather tho sign of determination to see the struggle through to exhaustion than a braggart confidence in its absolute success. PLAYING THR BRAGGART WITH THEIR TONGUES. Approaching Danville the quostion “Whither are we going?’’ came up for cons‘deration. To leave Richmond by. the safest route and get clear of Grant was the only object in view at starting. Now that Richmond was abandoned to Grant, and the escaped government free from imme- diate danger, its destination was not castly determined. Danville was supposed to be too small for a temporary capital, and the good points of all other eligible cities wore discussed generally and warmly. At length Mr. Davia put a stop to the matter by saying that he would not leave Virginia until Lee was whipped out of it. “Then you can make up your mind to a long resi- dense,” said Mr. Bruce, of .Kentucky, confidently, “a day or two more will decide that,’ was the wary remark of Mr. Benjamin. “and if adversely,” said the Attorney General, “Char. lotte is our goint.”” He had been advocating Charictte from. the first, and very naturally, as it wastohime home. Onoe it-qas detormined that Danville should bear the Burdetisome honor of the tcmporary capital, it became serious question with most of us how we were to got lodged there. The fortunes of war—the fate of Lee's army, of of Grant’s—were things which grew little for the few minutes that this selfish subject occupied our thoughts, Hastening to a town of very scant dimensions, with the prospect of having its population alarmingly increased by a sudden influx of officials and rofugees, it was not easy to feol assured that one in ten of all could obtain even ordinary shelter. Those who had friends and acquaintances and those in high place were pretty certain of homes; but those who had none of these were naturally afraid of Danville. While we were contem- plating the subject in no hopeful humor, an assurance was brought that the city was alive to the occasion, and provision would be made forthe whole ‘Presidential party’ at least. This was aqast relief to most of us, Nearly five hundred persons, almost all more or loss distinguished, and some two or three hun- dred soldiers wero on our train. Behind usa, on the road, were trains bringing about five or six thousand more fugitives—all for Danville. Here there was @ ready made population for a yoodly sized town to come ina few hours into what was only a goodly sized town, But our party was made sure of shelter, and gave itself little Concern for the rest. Am I ashamed, for myself and the others, to confess this? Why should [ Strivo to expel strong nature? Tis in vain— With double force she will return again. TAKING CARE OF NUMER ONF, While in doubt aa to what might become of ourselves wo only thought of ourselves. Once pretty certain of being provided for we could afford to think of others, and we gave at least our pity to those not likely to bo 80 for. tunate as telegraphic promiso indaced us to imagine our- selves, Sympathy, compassion and ali that gort of thing are exceedingly cheap, We had a superabundance of the article the instant our condition was favorably fixed, We had even more. Wo had practient ruggestions. Why noteamp all others out? Provisions—commierary pro- visions were abundant—let gil others be fod gn soldiers’ fare. We, we—omphgacilly we—would fare as so tuously as | Danvillg's hospitality allowed. Then, again, ns Walt the oxpect®| officinia goon to Charlotte, N. ©. s7e some Siher city. ‘There was no reason why thosd unim- portant entities should cumber us. And, verily, it wan 80 decided before we feached Danville, The minor officiais of the Treasury and Post Office ments— tho most numerous—were not to temain in Danville A renceens a each would answer every purpone— say the head of department and bis principal sub- ordinates, The War and Navy Departments were to ro- main intact at Danville, As the State Department had nobody but Mr. Benjamin and hie assistant, Mr. Wash. ington, there was no trouble about that, As the Navy Department had only Mr. Mallory and three others, there ram Lie Kouba Aeewh With An Wie Doveriunedd of Hastie hed only Davis himself, theve was n0 Cooper and a host that was the only ‘At the depotin Danvitle a crowd, but not agreat one, spurs, spectacles and other similar appurtenances, 3o did.all those, who with him had pre- pared themselves for an attack ands diferent sort of flight across the. country. He, Walked Out to-ttio plat form, accompanied by Colonels Johnsted, fuubbock and Ives, After him went his Cabinet, follawediby Generala Cooper, Terry and, Stuart. Colonel Mr. Daviat private seoretary, remained to seo to the’ tial baggage. On the platform were gentlemen representing the city of Danville to} ‘offer its’ héspitelities fo the capitalleas. President and. his fleeing followers. Major Sunderland, one of the most eminent citizens of Danville, was present to invite Mr. Davis and Mr. Mallory to the most palatial residence in the place. The Mayor (Walker) was indofatigable in his attentions to all others, He was chief of a committee having charge of the'hospi- talities, and his committee did all that men could do to ‘uphold Old Virginia’s claim to genial gonerosity. Every Private house in the city was thrown open to all in our train; not a being along with us was unprovided with » home ten minutes after the arrival of the train. The Mayor himself took three distinguished gentlemen to bis house, who, to use their own words, ‘fared as they never id sinoe the war began.’’ I, myself, was invited to the home ofa veritable Southern Yankes—a Massachusetts Virginian, who was lavish of kindnoss, he and his, Touching that, let me tell you this Virginiaized Yankee was de foul mex cour for the South; and, in truth, so I found them all; heartily, absolutely rebela, That they ‘were no‘at all, in the face of a: bitter local hatred to the very idea of their nativity was a puzzle to me, a foreigner tm toto; yet, I but give my experience when I assure you T found them in all, or nearly all cases, more Southern than the Southerners. ‘VIRGINIA: HOSPITALITY. The better to comptehend the quality and tho spirit of the good Old Virginia hospitality extended to the Rich- mond fugitives in Danville, I shall just relate an inci- dent or two immediately following our ‘arrival, While standing with General Terry opposite tho Tunstal Hotel— ‘the Astor Howse of Danville—three gentlemen ap- proached us, knowing us to be strangors. “Are you provided . with homes?” agked one of them in a most courteous manner. I replied that we were, but that some gentlemen who had arrived since we camo, and who were near at hand, needed the kindness proffered to ourselves. Instantly they met these gentlemen and assigned them homes at most respectable families, where they, or such as they, were oxpodted, ANOTHER INGTANOR, Walking quietly along a by-stroot, wo passed a no- ble looking house. Two ladies and a gentleman—all advanced in years—were standing on the baloony. Seeing us saunteting down that unfrequented way, and being impressed with the peculiarity of the occasion they ac- costed us thus:— “Do you require a home, gentlomen?’’ our obeisance, and answering, thanked them. “Thon,” said the elder of the ladies, “be good enough to serd us two or three. No Oné has come here yot and wo are ready to make at least three comfortable." ‘Thero was hospitality for you—genlal, genuine, grand: We made Nothing like the Virginian hospitality of Danville has. come within my observation im any other American State, It was pure and catholic and unstinted. NO WORD FROM LEB. - But, aside from this, what a sad plight we wore in. Not a word of encouragement from Lee—not a word at all, in fact. Rumors there were in great abundance— Tumors that Leo had far the best of it, now that he was relieved of the Richmond embarrassment—rumors that Grant had sacrificed so many lives that he could not con- tinue the contest without yielding up his prestige. These, however, were only rumors. Nota direct word was yet bad from Lee, and it was only the unswerving con- fidence which all Axed on the success of the cause that could porsibly sustain them in this suspense. Every fresh train from Richmond—and trains continged to come all night filled with fugitives and archives—was Desieged by crowds of citizens atid ~ sojourners. The mows, the least particle of news, was.asked for with the intensest eagernees. We who had arrived in the a‘ter- noon passed the neighborhood whero the news was making, or to be made, while its manufacture was aus. pended, Those who came later were supposed | to. have had opportunities greater than oure—the latest, the exact. very fresh-come batch of ‘‘rel able gentle. | men" felt the importance’ of: the position to which im- patient news-cravers elovated them. And they had news—more in most cases than could be well digested. Lee was giving Grant « fearful castigation; 80 enfeebled were the Yankees, that, although Richmond was open to them, they did not enter it—Richmond was in ashes—Richmond was filled with nigger soldiors— Richmond was not disturbed—Richmond had ceased to be—Grant was gathering his army up to fly away—it was not possible for him to hold out against Lee's braves another day. To each item of this character which your ‘reliable gentlemen’’ delivered to gaping listeners, thoy invariably added an averment which clinched its tr.th. And all that was so far known of the actual condition of things—known even to Mr. Davie—consisted of wild and contradictory stories like those I havesummed up. It was on that sort of stuff we slept our first night at Danville, GETTING BRAVE AGAIN IN WoRDS. Next morning the street and depot nows was slightly more definite, Mr. Davis was up very carly and out on the portico of his Danville res'dence, anxiously awaiting the arrival of @ despatch or a ‘or. None, however, came, and both Lee and Breekinridge were pronounced remiss, He issued a proclamation to reassure the public and to persuade them that it was for the special accom- modation of Leo's new tactics—tield tactick as opposed to entrenched positions—that Richmond was abandoned. ‘The proclamation was very spirited, aud breathed dof- ance to the last, ‘THY NEWS GATHERERS, In the absence of authentic news the governm nt dig- nitaries had to content themselves with such gossip aa was brought by the latest arrivals, This was fragimen. tary and such as scared fugitives were likely to possess— in all cases distorted and exaggerated, but in no case un- favorable, Danville was one moving inass of news tol lors and news seckers—cilizens and strangers huddled togethor at every porch or shady nook—diseuasing pro babilities and poesibilities aWith feverish oar nertacss. Ovcastonally a solf-constittted courier would cren'e 4 rensation by some story of a “despatch to the Proside:..” which ho had just delivered, Tteoomtonts world be my: - jms emi and gradually a consistent piece «¢ Fore packs ola obese be ecker avtesian and the imposition oxpored. RATADLISMING A CAPIPAL. Having nothing cls» to do, and confident that ‘no news was good nows,” Mr. Davie resolved on o:tabiish- ing his capital. An executive office was rented, and the President’s aids get to work opening and reforring let- tors, General Cooper started a war department, and Mr. Mallory an office for the navy. Judge Reagan seised tho Masonic Mall for a post office department of burents to go on with the goneral’e brother—went os. of #1, arden pad dastadl ollion foe sha No hayw 9¢ base, and "and Mallory no Catholic chapel ; himself soon as busy as ever he was in Richmond, Attor- Goneral Davis and ‘affairs wore in pada igs PSS Mr. Trenholm opened the Treasury at one of the banks and delighted all Danville, resident and fugitive, by offering Mexican silver for Confederate notes—seventy dollars for one! That struck me as a significant commen- tary—the government in the market to depreciate its own currency! About $40,000 in siiver-wee thas dis-. posed of in thecourse of two daya This course of the Treasury Secretary, though most acceptable a8 an accom. Heaninidap pre gire yey sana nein Fyne ‘sions produced by the President's SeMERS ON BS GuoRY, Makiva 4 BIG ‘S@PLAY OW NOTHING.’ Morning, noon int evening of the 4h of Apritng nome, ond ovenr san of baling, ox cence "Ht Capital. Eligible structures were impressed for some of olroumidcution office, Admiral Semmes ‘put all his deers Weave iato osigadaeneite bovthd of the flew Bicbmond. He was dubbed a brigt {ec gaia coon abbemasayald anganbsoghs bass ries, Much fuss and no little fustian was the immediate Semmes. oald.oe, ready in a day to give Stonoman « reg ? (te enthing af af Agel ,qrom atoreay, aad | ‘awaited us, All,,eras-ellance and-endness, Mr. Davis |' Mitchel. | If any tatest grrival was Ukely to have news, surely howrasthe man, yet, be knew. very litle beyond | that General Hill was killed « id ta oan Sale i an immense conflagration hed ravaged) “Richmond, One {noldétit fh Ris journéy t# Worth repeat- ing as an illustration of the frightfut uncertainty str. rounding all. “ Wheh''at a wayéide’ station, about forty! miles from Danville, he got out, of the train—it wag the fast that left Richmond—and was instantly socosted by a young indy who know him. ‘Oh, Mr, Mitohel, how, did»you leave them at home?!’ Mitohel is very near-sighted, and, for a moment, did not know his questioner, with whom and whoge family he.was intimate, The instant he recognized her he re- colled. She noticed the movement, and taking it asa boding of evil, clung to him with questions. The lady was Miss Pogram, sister. of the young general who was killed only a few weeks before, and a few days after his marriage. She had left Richmond weeks prior to the evacuation, and was staying in the neighborhood whore she then met John Mitchel. “Do tell me what is the matter with them!” she im- “Nothing; Toft them all well at home—very well, in- deed." “and Willie, what of him? His command, they tell me, has been hotly engaged." “I foar he is badly wounded, Miss Pogram."” ‘Badly wounded! Tell me all, Mr. Mitchel; oh, tell me all; your look is fearful." Mi tated, ‘Ho pad seen her poor brother's corpes a. before—the third victim which that one family had offered on the altar of the atruggle. But how could he tell her that the young and gallant colonel—the brave brother in whom all her sister's love -was cen- tred—tell her, as aclimax'to her many sufferings, that he indeed was slain. “Yot he told it; for his looks spoke more than words, and the afflicted girl read the awful truth in big hesitation. “She fainted, and was borne away just es he had‘ to re onter the train, _MAOPARLAND DETERMINES TO GO RACK TO. RIOEMOND. ‘The Sti of April-came, and yet no news. Ramors crept out with wonderful fecundity, and all rather of the pleasant order—all except what related to Richmond. No rumorist put the horrors of the riot and fire in Rich- mond in other than the most appaling colors. The effect ‘was that all the natives of Richmond who were with us, or others whose families wore there, felt the keencet alarm. Even divesting rumor of its grossness, of its most outlandish phases, sufficient horror remained to ter- rity the feast timid, Poor Mr. Macfariand, the exquisite old banker, was in a perpetual agony. Sitting by one of the notched pillars, of the Tunstall House, watching the rain and pondering on probabilities, he looked the moat forlora specimen of fallen groatnoss I have yet ob- sorved. He may not like my pity, but he had it to the fullest extent, and it followed him when he fled back to Richmond next day, unable to longer endure the sus-. pense, and ready to risk his chance with Grant, OMNOUB SILANGB. The 6th, Teh and 8th of April, came, and went, yet mot s word from Lee. Most ominous silence! In vain rumorists got up pleasing fictions—to no purpose were sweeping theories devised—apprehension laid hold of every one, and some misfortune was expected. Mr. Davis evinced uncasiness, but no alarm. He was oxem- plary tn his patience. It was that sort of patience which may be called carnage in repose. Scipio and Tell were noble fellows; but: Regulus and Arnold Van Winklebried were of agrander mould. The placid endurance of the latter, their self control, their martyrdom of mind, sur- passed, in very majesty, the dash and enthusiasm of the others, AN ENCOURAGING sTORY. Late on Saturday evening, the 8tb, a handsome story ‘crept out and bloomed all over the city. A despatch ‘was sald to be received—indeed, Captain Loe, the Gen- Oral’s brother, told me it Was received—and i¢ read thus:— ‘We have beaten fight. Leo isall and his army well in hand. 5 This sont 0 thrill through the olty, and when Sunday came, with fine, clear weather, the now capital looked cece avn ern te | happy, haloyon. Ae such » delightful Setion had 6 Sun- day to bask in—a day on which only persons connected ‘with btm troubled Mr. Devis—it flourished without ex- posure, It wase warm, gonial Sunday, and for the first time sincg my, arrival I thought of viewing the oity as a city. DaNYnLLE is what may be termod a very pretty town, and if the war had not baulked its efforts would by this time have been avery thriving one. The opportunities for mills of all descriptions and machinery which can be worked by water areas great as in Richmond. Some cloth and other factories stood on the river's edge, finished and un- finished, in spectral silence. Decay had set in before the place was ripe. The city is billy and neatly laid out, many of its mansions being of a most imposing character. ‘Taking it all in all, I would style it a ragged and abridged edition of Richmond, with villa advantages peculiar to iteelf. DANVILLE GLADDENED AT ITS BRIGHTENING PROSPROTA, Mr. Davia was, of course, at the Episcopal church on that first Sunday in his new capital, and heard a most encouraging discourse, Benjamin had no synagogue, #0 they alone, of all the Cabinet, could not pray according to public formula. Governor Smith and other State notabilities arrived dur- ing the day, and enjoyed the seductive rumor of the pre- vious evening. Arrangements were advanced for com pleting the oficial accommodation, and that night Dan- ville had made up its mind to be the capital. Lee was falling back at his leisure to have his lines on the Staun ton, and the condition of the confodcracy waa serene and steady. There was only one regret—the specie had boen sent off to Charlotte, in the charge of the midshipmen, who were acmed as soldiers, Danville was desirous of being burdened with it, and could #00 no reason, in the light of things as they now looked, for despatching it to any other place, Stoneman was much more likely to get it whore it was going than in the security of confident Danville. But it would be brought back, and Danville was very sanguine of its own safety and its own claims. STORMA GATHRRING, Everything looked prosperous on Monday morn ng, the 10th—everything bat the weather, and that was lowering. About the sual breakfast time, however, peoples faces’ wore asombrs appearance. The brilliant news bubble whick gayly Moved oti day before was burst, and no news was still. the answer to all inquiries about Lee. The effect was worse than if the fiction had not been tnvented. Toward midday the anxious crowds in the vicinity of the hotel, or loitering around the im. provised department offices, or lounzing at tho railromd depot, began to be mote than lugubrious. ‘The railroad track at Burkeaville was at last known to be torn up; the tolograph wires in that locality were known to be cut; the Union army was Known to bo between us and Lee, for the hopes of Danville and the defonsi¢e offorte Of Brigadier General and Admiral Gommos. Informa. of all this was too positive and too perplexing. ay ry ib tgok a shape which soatiered to fond sar vvlanene a Suyday, Oo proce, Pee dee Town aye peste a! rect news, bad at last arrived from Lee. 3 ‘Tam stoma BORIC, But, heavens! what news it was The consternatiog im Richmond at the evacuation wasas nothing whem com+ gesnd wiih the semen denieted on ever Sa paris. “ ‘as soon’ as that nows leaked out. Lee had been Sse ak IE B. Lee do avy such thing! The very thought seemed abe ‘eurd. bint pantepnrincnngiconmane EVACUATING DANVILLE. Orders were given for the evacuation of Denville af fave o'clock on the of Sunday, the 10h of Ae pot pete . britsie doputiet Now they these pest Be amir nina Mr. av" . k~ for end coum welcome when it came, stunned all. Its effect on moat of the old citizens of Richmond was to deter them from lag ery “4 the first, The silence in thejmmodiate vicinity of Mr. Davis was dolesome. mar Pom tenn Da 4 NARROW 2ecars. onthe road.as accident te our engine, ‘and we had to wait for afresh one. Had the delay been much longetour train would have run a close » chance of capture. Soarcely had we passed a point ot the road within’s few miles of Greensboro when a raid. ing party tore.up the track, and assailed 9 train which we only met ten minutes befote. But we got to Greens boro in safety. Our progress was the progress of {ll nows speeding apace. As tidings.of the..evecuation of Richmond ha@ not preceded but acoompanied us, eo intelligence of Lee's surrender was-borng'alang by_ur presence. No one ia Greonsbord even Suspected It. “We arrived early in the #- day. Both Johnston-and-Beauregard—the latter first, he being in command there—were soon with Mr. Davis, The “THE INHOSPITALITY OF GREENSBORO. 1a In Greensboro, "as th Denville, hornaval store was well stocked. meme Ne in Danville, the people were inhospitable. ‘The ol ttn pihca koa sas @ railroad car. Not a soul of- very ill, wastendered the shelter of a house, and he waa - taken to Governor Morehead's: ~All the others, Cabinet Fg and mealed in the cars. ar ously in Grebosboro, anit’ « moewqgilibie gr reasegnay imagine that, presented by our “dfstingutshed party” the’ drainage. of leaky cars. Most--fortunately.tor-meI founda friend om town," and got a room of a most luxurious quatity.’ Cine bretinod OAS SOM 2 there had been propriety inthe doing 80, or. his'Cabinet, who wore all uhacoustomed “to” but they had resolved to let" Greensboro’s hospitality aa severely alone as it threatened to leavevthem.)(Inthe- | case of Mr. Davis he was persuaded to adopt acompro- - mise—to sleep at a little house in which the wife, and family of Colonel Taylor Wood had for «ome woeka been staying, and to spend the rest of his tine, with his, com —" panions in the cars. ‘THR CONFEDERACY COOPED UP IN 4 CAR. It would have been ludicrous, if {t were less provoos- tive of painful reflections, to think of the whole febel Government cooped in those miserable cars.’ Atid there and thus for five days Jefferson Davis, his Osbinet and staff, with other high officials, lived. Colonel’ Labbock: acted as a sort of foraging officer, and General Staart as caterer, and fare rather better than camp fare was’ the result of their efforts. It was not so uppleasant, this { foasting in the cars—eating at no set hoars,.but just as we felt hungry. There was something, novel), about it, and for one I think Mr. Benjamin enjoyed it. greatly. "ag further he got South the more buoyant became. .¥ Attorney General Davis thought it fine; but J on gan, the most robust. of. all, relished it least, Ho im pressed me with a conviction that the crisis was weigh- ing more heavily on his spirits than on any one of bis peers, GENERAL BRECKIVRIDOR joined us at Greensboro, and brought all the details of _ Lee's surrender. Soon after his arrival he ‘atid’ Mr. Davis and Generals Johnston and Beauregard had a oro- * longed consultation. °° ‘AN BISTORIO SPOT. " Tt was held on the’ slope of a’ little Det gay guedend Sohanes tminaconshowas Mal lory, Reagan and Geo. Davis another. Here and. there, in clusters of fives and sixes, were other’ and other high functionaries. Altogether that pre. sented a series of gatherings which an artist would have - had much difficulty in arranging better for purposes of JOUNSTON REFUSES TO OBEY DAVIS’ ORDERS TO From. Neither Johnston nor Beauregard betrayed |b trace of despondency. It was obvious, however, that they re garded the struggle as over. Mr. Davis felt much con- cern, and rather showed it, He di-trusted Johneton, but relied on Breckinridge to foil him in any antimely move. Johaston was instructed to fight. He did not approve the order, and ditputed not only tts wisdom, bul tle powes over his action. He left the hill at, last, undotermined as to his course, reserving to himself a right of decision im accordance with the development of event Mr. Davis saw him no more. He had gone tohis army head. quarters, near Hillsboro. Beauregard, whose head- quarters were in a railway car, not far from our train, we often saw afterward. THE CONPEDRRACY DESPAIRED OF, Although the collapse of the confederacy was evident to every one, since the surrender of Lee's army, the completeness of that sudden and astounding: wae not thoroughly manifest until after this interview on the little historic bill beside the railroad at Greensboro, The indecision and vacillation of the ‘eonstitutignal ad- visers’’ of Jefforson Davis were distressing. Neither he nor they seemed to know what noxt should bé attempted, or what they should do even with: themselves, They wore utterly powerless, and evinced an absolute inca pactty to deal with the dangers which eneireled thom a individuals. “Did you over know the bottom te fill dutof aay bucket so suddenly and completely as thiW?”* said Colones Brent, of Beauresard’s ata, to a friem® near me, “No,” was the reply, “and the seewite condnet of the | bucket carriers since [ve soeu them here makes.me Wonder it could have #0 tome held water.” ( BYRD K OF TRE DEVORANZATION OF THR RENTER / The Orst startling evidence o Uke Reported donsaralimm, tion of the Soustern artay wile 2 witnessed was dace jog this drewy stay at Greeusbern, The Cagy—homes- for thonsanas of Cugitives—were systematicauy pillaged by <oldiers, Cayalrymce broke into public und private stores, aust the military anthorities were ubable give redress of protection. Tt was anarcny all around vs. The commissary warchotises were demolished and all de- scriptions of goods hauled openly thrangh ihe strects,! paraded as plunder. One day a spasmofiic attompt waa toade to arrest this, and three or fout ol Whooier's rathor notorious cavairy were shot by am iufaatry guard sent to carb thelr dopredations, After Vhat there was mos order and (ower outrages, RVACUATING GMERNSNORG, Qo Quad Frida ordece Were aiven We evaguale Arvonds