RICHMOND.
Surrendered April 3, 1865.
Meanwhile, on the same memorable morning, the Mayor of Richmond, Mr. Mayo, had surrendered the capital of the Confederacy to General Weitzel, whose troops immediately marched in and took possession of the city. A portion of it was found to be in flames, General Early having caused it to be fired, on retreating during the night of the 2d instant. 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, four worthless hand-engines, and a large amount of hose, ruined by the retreating rebels. The efforts to subdue the flames were arduous, but finally successful, and before night the city was exceedingly quiet in all respects.
On personally arriving in the city, General Weitzel issued the following order:—
“Major-General Godfrey Weitzel, commanding Detachment of the Army of the James, announces the occupation of the city of Richmond, by the armies of the United States, under command of Lieutenant-General Grant. The people of Richmond are assured that we come to restore to them the blessings of peace, prosperity and freedom, under the flag of the Union.
“The citizens of Richmond are requested to remain for the present quietly within their houses, and to avoid all public assemblages or meetings in the public streets. An efficient provost guard will immediately re-establish order and tranquillity within the city.
“Martial law is, for the present, proclaimed.
“Brigadier-General George F. Shepley, United States Volunteers, is hereby appointed Military Governor of Richmond.
“Lieutenant-Colonel Fred. L. Manning, Provost-Marshal-General, Army of the James, will act as Provost-Marshal of Richmond. Commanders of detachments doing guard duty in the city will report to him for instructions. By command of
“D. D. Wheeler, Assistant Adjutant-General.”
The works in front of Richmond which were occupied by the rebels; and wholly evacuated previous to the Union occupancy of the city, were found to consist of three strong lines, strictly enveloping Richmond. The outer ones were continuous lines; the inner one consisted of a series of strong redoubts and bastion forts. These works mounted upwards of three hundred heavy guns, all of which were captured.
General Weitzel also took one thousand prisoners, besides the wounded. These numbered five thousand, in nine hospitals. He captured cannon, to the number of at least five hundred pieces. Five thousand muskets were found in one lot. Thirty locomotives and three hundred cars were also seized.
The rebels had succeeded in destroying all their vessels of war; but the well known Tredegar iron works were found to be unharmed. Libby Prison and Castle Thunder were also captured, and were speedily filled with rebel prisoners. It was ascertained that the rebels began the work of destroying the city, by firing the Shockoe warehouse, filled with tobacco, as well as the large granary establishment on Carey street, near Twenty-third street. The fire was very destructive; and in addition to destroying the War Department, the general Post Office, the Treasury building, several churches, and many stores, likewise destroyed the offices of the Richmond Enquirer, Dispatch and Examiner; the Virginia Bank, the Farmers’ Bank, and the Bank of Richmond. The United States Custom House was saved, by reason of its being fireproof.
On the 4th of April President Lincoln visited Richmond, where he was received with great enthusiasm. During his stay in the city, he occupied, with General Weitzel, quarters in the house which, only a little while before, had been the residence of the rebel President Jefferson Davis.