USA > New Hampshire > History of the Twelfth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers in the war of the rebellion > Part 35
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approached the city we found other roads leading into ours, with other troops hurrying toward the same destination, and a race commenced to see who should get there first. Knapsacks, haversacks, blankets, and everything to impede their motion were thrown away.
Our brigde-the Second - got at the junction of the roads first, but our right of way was only given to those who actually held it in advance, and soon officers and men of different commands were more or less intermixed. It was "on to Richmond" sure now. Our brigade got into the city first of all infantry troops, save only the picket lines. General Weitzel and some cavalry were ahead of us.
As soon as I got away a little from General Donohoe, I let out my horse and left him and his command behind. Clouds of smoke were rising in the city. As I went on I could see much of it on fire. Meeting negroes I inquired for Libby prison, and being shown the way, I went to it direct. It was empty. No Yankee or rebel soldier was there. I went all over it. Soon others came. I looked for something to capture as a souvenir, but everything was so filthy I feared to touch it. I could find nothing till, walking by the corner nearest the basement door, I saw a key lying upon the ground. I picked it up. It was not rusty, but bright as if in use. I went back to the door and found the key would lock and unlock it readily. I said, "This is the key to Libby prison," and believing it such, I kept it and have it now. I have no doubt about its being the one the rebels used. I next pushed on to the capitol building, where I found the brigade headquarters and soldiers, many. I then went to Jeff. Davis's house. These premises were crowded. I saw the table, chairs, demijohn, decanter, and glasses as last used by that traitor before he evacuated. A guard was soon put on, and all the soldiers, and officers as well, were now called to put out the fire. We all responded readily, though some less willingly, and after a hard struggle succeeded in stopping the fast devouring flames; and so the Yankee army saved from ashes the homes and property of the great city that the rebels themselves had tried to destroy. The citizens acknowledged this, and were very thankful for it.
Let this be recorded as a matter of history that the " northern vandals," as they had called us, proved more merciful to them than their own soldiers.
Capt. Hosea Q. Sargent who, though wearing the same insignia of rank as Captain Kelley, was really second in command of the brigade picket line by date of commission, and who, as above stated in the extract from the city daily, commanded the left wing of that line, in con- firmation of the claim of Captain Kelley and the statement of the editor, says :
We arrived in the city of Richmond about S o'clock on the morning of April 3, thoroughly exhausted, yet our hearts beat high with exultation and triumph. I am certain that the part of the picket line of which I was in command was the first infantry in the city, and the first troops of any kind, except a squad of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, to whom the mayor and council surrendered about thirty minutes before we reached the place.
Corporal Newell Davidson, of Company G, was one of the fleet-footed racers from the Twelfth who were on the picket line on the night of the
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2d, and he is still living at Plymouth, N. H. He was one of the first to mount the enemy's works, and as soon as he found that there was a better chance for a race than a fight, he stripped himself of everything above his feet but his shirt and pants, and being almost as swift as a deer, soon outran all the rest, and found himself alone, so far as his comrades were concerned, among the citizens of Richmond.
Learning from other members of his company that he was, as they believed, the first man of the picket line to reach the city, he was written to by the author, and here is his reply :
I believe I was the first live man, wearing the blue, to enter Richmond on the morning of its capture, but of course I cannot prove it. If I am correct, and there are some still living - Sergeant Clarke for one - who will testify in my favor, then was the " Old Twelfth " represented there ahead of any other regi- ment. I ran all the way to get there ahead of the rest, and I could run some at that time. I went up Main street all alone, but citizens, black and white, were on the street, with now and then one in rebel uniform, but unarmed so far as I saw. I began to wish that some of my comrades were with me, for I did not feel quite safe ; but every one seemed to be too busy caring for his own or plundering from some one else to take much notice of me. The city was on fire in several places, and from this cause, and the expectation that our army was coming, the whole population seemed wild with excitement. I got a little boy to show me Jeff. Davis's house, and I think I was the first Union soldier to enter it. Jeff. himself had skipped, but some of his servants remained. He had evidently left in a hurry. I then went to the State Capitol building. There were none of our colors flying there then, or anywhere else in Richmond, that I remember of seeing, and I should remember it if there had been. Among other incidents that come back to my memory is this :
There was a young girl at the state house square, standing guard over her uncle's goods that they were bringing from his house, near the fire. She told me that she came from New York to visit her uncle, and the war breaking out she could not get back home. She gave me two or three presents for remaining with her for a while, for she was much frightened, and no wonder, at the scene around her, and feared that some of the lawless ones would steal the goods left in her charge.
Among the things she gave me was a canteen full of " apple jack. " She told me not to take any from the old rebel residents as they might put poison in it.
She said that most of the citizens were very bitter against the northern soldiers, but there were many who in their hearts would welcome us into the city.
She was young and handsome, and looked up so wishfully, when she saw that I was a Union soldier, that I could not help speaking to her. She said that I was the first blue-clad soldier she had seen that morning.
When I left, after some of her folks had joined her, she gave me a box of fine combs, a pack of cards, and a gold ring. The ring I wore until I broke it a few years ago. I only wish I knew her name and address, if living, for I could then prove what I have written about my being the first Union soldier she had seen.
I was in Richmond a long time, as it seemed to me, before I saw a soldier wearing the same uniform as myself, but I should have been glad to have met
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such, for I confess I felt a little skittish. But I know of course that it could not have been much more than half an hour before the rest of my picket line reached the city, for they came on the " double-quick " most or all of the way.
Now, in conclusion, I want to tell you what I know, that the pickets of our brigade - the Second -were the first to enter the rebel capital, any claim or talk to the contrary notwithstanding. There are many others beside myself who still live to back me up in this statement, and if there were not, there would be no doubt about it in my own mind, for I was there in season to see for myself, and "know whereof I affirm."
In addition to what has already been written about the capture and occupation of Richmond by the Union forces, the account given by Thomas Thatcher Graves, then aide to General Weitzel, and previously referred to in this chapter, is in part quoted here, as better worth the time and attention of the readers than any effort of the author, concerning the interesting subjects of which he writes.
After referring to the position and extent of the line held by the Army of the James in the spring of 1865, and its early start for Richmond on the morning of April 3, he continues :
As we approached the line of defenses we saw in the distance divisions of our troops, many of them upon the " double-quick," aiming to be the first in the city ; a white and a colored division were having a regular race, the white troops on the turnpike, and the colored in the fields. As we neared the city the fires seemed to increase in number and size, and at intervals loud explosions were heard. On entering we found Capitol Square covered with people who had fled there to escape the fire, and who were utterly worn out with fatigue and fright. Details were at once made to scour the city and press into the service every able-bodied man, white or black, and make them assist in extinguishing the flames. General Deven's division marched into the city, stacked arms and went to work. Parson's engineer company assisted by blowing up houses to check the advance of the flames, as about every engine was destroyed or rendered useless by the mob. In this manner the fire was extinguished, and perfect order restored in an incredibly short time after we occupied the city.
There was absolutely no plundering upon the part of our soldiers. Orders were issued forbidding anything to be taken without remuneration, and no com- plaints were made of any infringement of these orders.
Gen. G. F. Shepley was placed on duty as military governor. He had occupied a similar position in New Orleans, after its capture in 1862, and was eminently fitted for it by education and experience.
As we entered the suburbs the General ordered me to take half a dozen cavalrymen and go to Libby prison, for our thoughts were upon the wretched men whom we supposed were still confined within its walls. It was very early in the morning, and we were the first Union troops to arrive before Libby. Not a guard, not an inmate remained; the doors were wide open, and only a few negroes greeted us with, " Dey's all done gone, marsa ! "
The next day after our entry into the city, on passing out from Clay street, from Jefferson Davis's house, I saw a crowd coming along, headed by President
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Lincoln, who was walking with his usual long careless stride. looking about with an interested air and taking in everything. Upon my saluting, he said : .. Is it far to President Davis's house?" I accompanied him to the house which was occupied by General Weitzel as his headquarters. The President had arrived at about 9 o'clock at the landing called " Rocketts" upon Admiral Porter's flagship, the " Malvern," and as soon as the boat was made fast, without ceremony, he walked ashore and started off up town. As soon as Admiral Porter was informed of it, he ordered a guard of marines to follow as escort ; but in the walk of about two miles they never saw him, and he was directed by negroes.
At the Davis house he was shown into the reception room, with the remark that the housekeeper had said that that room was President Davis's office. As he seated himself he said: "This must have been President Davis's chair." and, crossing his legs, he looked far off with a serious, dreamy expression. At length he asked me if the housekeeper was in the house. Upon learning that she had left, he jumped up and said in a boyish manner : " Come, let us look at the house." We went pretty much all over it. I retailed all that the house- keeper had told me, and he seemed interested in everything. As we came down the staircase, General Weitzel came in breathless haste, and at once President Lincoln's face lost its boyish expression, as he recalled that duty must be resumed. Soon afterwards Judge Campbell, General Anderson (Confederates) . and others called and asked for an interview with the President. It was granted, and took place in the parlor, with closed doors. I accompanied President Lincoln and General Weitzel to Libby prison and Castle Thunder, and heard General Weitzel ask the President what he (General Weitzel) should do in regard to the conquered people. President Lincoln replied that he did not wish to give any orders on that subject, but, as he expressed it, " If I were in your place I'd let 'em up easy, let 'em up easy."
A few days after our entry General Lee surrendered, and early one morning we learned that he had just arrived at his house in the city. General Weitzel called me into a private room, and taking out a large, well filled pocket-book, said : " Go to General Lee's house, find Fitzhugh Lee and say to him that his old West Point chum, Godfrey Weitzel, wishes to know if he needs any- thing, and urges him to take what he may need from that pocket-book." Upon reaching General Lee's house I knocked, and Gen. Fitzhugh Lee came to the door. lle was dressed in a Confederate uniform. Upon my introducing my- self, he asked me in, showing me into a parlor with double or folding doors, explaining that the servants had not yet returned. He was so overcome by Weitzel's message that for a moment he was obliged to walk to the other end of the room. He excused himself, and passed into an inner room, where I noticed Gen. Robert E. Lee sitting with a tired, worn expression upon his face. Fitzhugh Lee knelt beside his General, as he sat leaning over, and placed a hand upon his knee. After a few moments he came back, and in a most dignified and courteous manner sent his love to General Weitzel, and assured him that he did not require any loan of money, but, if it would be entirely proper for General Weitzel to issue a pass for some ladies of General Lee's household to return to the city, it would be esteemed a favor ; but he impressed me to state, that if this would embarrass his friend in any way, on no account would they request the
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favor. It is needless to state that the ladies were back in the house as soon as possible.
As bearing close relation to the last part of the foregoing, a foot-note thereto will be given :
As one of our aides was riding through the streets, engaged in gathering to- gether the able-bodied men to assist in extinguishing the fire, he was hailed by a servant in front of a house towards which the fire seemed to be moving. The servant told him that his mistress wished to speak with him. He dismounted and entered the house, and was met by a lady who stated that her mother was an invalid, confined to her bed, and as the fire seemed to be approaching, she asked for assistance. Subsequent conversation developed the fact that the invalid was no other than the wife of Gen. R. E. Lee, and the lady who addressed the aide. was her daughter, Miss Lee. An ambulance was furnished by Col. E. H. Ripley, of the Ninth Vermont, and a corporal and two men guarded them until all danger was over.
Richmond, when captured, was a starving city, and one of the first things that demanded the attention of the military authority, after ex- tinguishing the flames and restoring order, was the feeding of the citi- zens, rich and poor, white and black. A hungry stomach is a powerful pleader, and will have its urgent demand satisfied, regardless of pride. hatred, anger. or prejudice. And hence some of the richest and proudest of that aristocratic centre of southern chivalry were obliged to beg of those whom they most strongly despised and bitterly hated. or starve.
It was to them a most distressing alternative, and the choice they were obliged to make humiliating indeed. For women, dressed in silks and wearing costly jewelry, to be obliged to welcome to their homes Union officers, whom at heart they really detested, that they might procure through them meat and flour enough for the servants to cook to feed both themselves and their hated Yankee boarders, was a strange but not un- common thing.
Several officers of the Twelfth found board and lodging in just such families, but dreamed not of their destitution until made known to them by painful necessity. All the male members of such families, able to carry a sword or a gun, were of course in the rebel army, and the fear of being molested, as they claimed, by our soldiers - they really had much more fear of their own former slaves and plundering citizens - was another reason for tolerating the poluting presence of our officers.
But many of these southern born and bred ladies soon found that not all of the Yankees were thieves and villians, but that some of them, at least, were as kind as they were keen, and not entirely void of good manners. Many individual illustrations of this might here be given, and as many Richmond ladies, if living, would willingly testify thereto.
So deeply bitter was the hatred of some of these boarding mistresses toward the northern soldiers that fears were entertained and expressed
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that they might poison them, but no such a suspicion was ever realized, and it is but giving such charity as we would receive to say, that if such a thing was ever seriously thought of, something more Christian-like than fear prompted a restraining influence.
One of the chief objects of interest to the northern soldier, to be found in Richmond. was Libby prison. As understood by the writer, its doors were first opened by the company of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, who have the honor of being the first Federal troops to enter the city.
If it was a day of joy and gladness to the deliverers, how much more so it must have been to the delivered. From filth, starvation, torture, and death to step, all unexpectedly, into the pure, free air of unrestricted freedom, and that, too, by the final success of the great cause for which, on the field and in prison, they had so long fought and suffered, was such a glory of gladness as seldom fills the heart of suffering humanity. It must have come to them like an angel's visit in a heavenly vision.
Quite an excavation was found under the building, which led some to believe that the report of its being mined, and all ready to blow up at one time during the war, when the rescue of its inmates was strongly threatened by Sheridan's cavalry, was probably true.
But however it may have been as a matter of fact, there is no denying that the cruel and inhuman treatment of our soldiers in this and other southern prisons fully justified one in believing the report.
But while we execrate the Confederate authorities for their barbarous and heartless treatment of the unfortunate inmates of Libby. Raleigh, Salisbury, and Andersonville, let it not be forgotten that our own govern- ment, acting under the wish and advice of General Grant, who strongly disfavored an exchange of prisoners, is far from being blameless.
Truth, plain and unvarnished, here leaves a record of history that every manly-hearted American must read in sorrow and in shame : for he who suffers wrong, having both the privilege and the power to avoid the same, is nearly, if not quite, as guilty as he who perpetrates it.
Prompted more, as it seems. by measures of policy than feelings of humanity, the Confederate government made strong and persistent efforts during the last of the war to effect an exchange of prisoners; and the Federal authorities, only too well knowing the terrible suffering of their own soldiers confined in the death-pens of the South, acting upon the same principle, or rather want of principle. as the rebels, refused with equal persistency to consent to any exchange.
The South wanted just what the exchange would have given them - more of their own men to fight and less of ours to feed ; while the North, looking at it as a bad trade, was content with just the reverse.
As a last appeal. a delegation from the prisoners at Andersonville was sent to plead their cause before the authorities at Washington. But this even proved of no avail.
It is said that President Lincoln refused to see them, but it is much
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more probable that they were not allowed the privilege of seeing him by those of authority who stood between ; for he was not the man to close his ears to the cries of mercy and pity. especially when heard from those waiting at his own threshold.
Grant and Stanton by their obstinate refusal to make or allow any ex- change of prisoners assumed " a fearful responsibility for the many thousands of lives thus sacrificed by the most cruel forms of death from cold, starvation, and pestilence in the prison pens of Raleigh and Ander- sonville, being more than all the British soldiers killed in the wars of Napoleon."
They may have been honestly patriotic in taking the course they did, but a short personal experience in Andersonville would soon have re- vealed things to them in a far different light.
Though the doors of Libby prison swung quickly open for the egress of its inmates then and there confined, they were very soon closed again. but upon men who wore the gray instead of the blue.
And some who had jeered, insulted, and threatened the Union soldiers imprisoned there, had their tables so completely overturned as to find themselves in the same brick box. And one day, after this sudden ex- change, while some of the Twelfth boys were on duty near by, there came along a member of another regiment, who, as he said, had lost a brother from starvation within its walls. No one who heard ever could forget the mad torrent of accusation and malediction that he poured upon those now obliged to listen behind the same grates that had confined his brother. The longer he talked the madder he grew, until his threats of vengeance he apparently intended to, and doubtlessly would, have exe- cuted with the musket that he had with him, as some thought, for that very purpose, had not others interfered and succeeded at last in persuad- ing him to desist and go away.
Veterans of the Twelfth will also remember the large bloodhound, " Nero," that had been kept at the prison, and that was too brave to imitate the example of many of the citizens and run away at the approach of the Yankees.
This dog is supposed to be the same that confronted Thompson and Bacheler on the night of their escape as related in a subsequent chapter.
After the war he was taken north and exhibited in some of our large cities.
Reference to this reminds the writer of another dog, but of Union pro- clivities, that belonging to or staying with one of the regiments of the Second Brigade, was on the picket line the morning of the capture of Richmond, and was blown to pieces by a torpedo when going over the enemy's works. He did not know the meaning of the little red flags, or strips of red cloth, that had been stuck up by those who planted the tor- pedoes for their own safety, and forgot in their hasty retreat to pull them down ; nor did he any better understand the warning words of his human
* General Butler's report before the Congressional Committee.
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companions as they shouted to each other : Look out for the torpedoes there! Be careful how you step, and keep away from the little red flags !
The same torpedo whose explosion killed the dog is said to have wounded a man in the Fifth Maryland Regiment, and that was all the damage done by the many torpedoes around and between which the men quickly and safely picked their way on their first trip to Richmond.
As soon as the excitement and enthusiasm of taking the rebel citadel had subsided a little, the soldiers became greatly interested in what Grant and his corps commanders were doing to cut off Lee's retreat. There were fears that what was left of the rebel " Army of Northern Virginia," would elude the pursuit of our forces, and, escaping into some mountain region of the south, might be able with the assistance of Johnson's army, to prolong the war into a full realization of what was Lee's only hope and Grant's only fear.
And so, when on the evening of the 9th the joyful news came to the troops in Richmond that Lee's whole army were prisoners of war, and that .. Unconditional Surrender " Grant was boss of not only the situation, but the whole rebel crew who had stacked arms for the last time at Ap- pomattox, all were wild with delight. They knew that the surrender of Lee was the end of the Rebellion, and that they would soon be allowed to go home, for their work was accomplished.
Of course the great loyal heart of the North leaped with joy at the bright cheering prospect of peace, and even the small minority of the people in the northern states who sympathized with the rebels, and had been known as " copperheads," were not ashamed, as they should have been, to make pretentions of gladness.
But most joyful of all were the mothers, wives, and sisters of the vet- eran heroes who still lived, and for whose speedy and safe return they now had so much reason to confidently hope.
To such it was like the sun, long obscured by the destructive and threatening storm, bursting into its full effulgence from a clear sky to gladden the heart of the tempest-tossed mariner : but for those whose dear ones were sleeping in soldiers' graves, and those perhaps unmarked and unknown, it was like the moon's pale beams struggling through the broken fragments of the black cloud whose lightnings had struck down their dearest ones of earth.
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