In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Chapter 10 ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 2, a perfect Sunday of the Southern spring, a large congregation assembled as usual at St. Paul’s. I happened to sit in the rear of the President’s pew, so near that I plainly saw the sort of gray pallor that came upon his face as he read a scrap of paper thrust into his hand by a messenger hurrying up the middle aisle. With stern set lips and his usual quick military tread, he left the church, a number of other people rising in their seats and hastening after him, those who were left swept by a universal tremor of alarm. The rector, accustomed as he was to these frequent scenes in church, came down to the altar rail and tenderly begged his people to remain and finish the service, which was done. Before dismissing his congregation the rector announced to them that General Ewell had summoned the local forces to meet for defense of the city at three in the afternoon. We knew then that Longstreet’s regulars must have been suddenly called away, and a sick apprehension filled all hearts. On the sidewalk outside the church we plunged at once into the great stir of evacuation, preluding the beginning of a new era. As if by a flash of electricity , Richmond knew that on the morrow her streets would be crowded with her captors, her rulers fled, her government dispersed into thin air, her high hopes crushed to earth. There was little discussion of events. People meeting each other would exchange silent hand grasps and pass on. I saw many pale faces, some trembling lips, but in all that day I heard no expression of a weakling fear. Movement was everywhere, nowhere panic. Begarlanded Franklin Street, sending up perfume from her many gardens, was the general rendezvous of people who wanted to see the last of their friends. All over town citizens were aiding the departure of the male members of their family who could in any way serve the dispossessed government. In the houses we knew, there was everywhere somebody to be helped to go; somebody for whose sake tears were squeezed back, scant food prepared, words of love and Refugitta of Richmond 154 cheer spoken. Those good, dear women of Richmond, who had been long tried as by fire, might bend but would not break. Between two and three in the afternoon formal announcement was made to the public that the government would vacate Richmond that evening . By nightfall all the flitting shadows of a Lost Cause had passed away under a heaven studded by bright stars. The doomed city lay face to face with what it knew not. In my “Confederate Album” is the original telegram from General J. C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War, to President Davis at Danville, describing the evacuation of Richmond. It is written upon a half sheet of cheap yellowish paper, and marked “206/Collect 103.00,” and runs as follows: red house, via clover station, r. & d. r. r. the presdt. Evacuation of Richmond completed in order on morning of third. Genl. Lee concentrated pretty well about Amelia C. H. on 5th, but enemy occupied Junction that evening, and our forces moved during the night and morning of the 6th to Rice’s Station. During the morning we captured some eight hundred (800) prisoners, but in afternoon met a serious reverse, and portion of army placed across Appomattox at High Bridge and other points. I left Genl. Lee at Farmville yesterday morning, where he was passing main body across the River for temporary relief. He will still try to move around towards North Carolina. There was very little firing yesterday and I hear none today. No definite information as to movements of enemy from Junction towards Danville. Stoneman’s advance reported yesterday to be near Liberty. Lomax1 reports enemy in considerable force advancing up Shenandoah Valley. No news from Echols, but he is supposed to be close on Stoneman’s rear. Genl. Lee has sent orders to Lomax to unite with Echols against Stoneman and to Colston to make firm defence at Lynchburg. The straggling has been great and the situation not favorable. GenIs. Gilmer,2 Lawton, and St. John are with me. We will join you as soon as possible. j. c. breckinridge, Secy. of War. I had gone with my brother to the station in the afternoon, and saw him off with a heart that for the first time in our...

Share