From the Rutland [VT] Herald,
4/10/1865
From the
Ninth Vermont
Entry Into Richmond
Richmond, Va
April 4th, 1865
“Richmond has fallen.” At 3 o’clock A.M., April 3rd,
deserters brought the report that the Richmond front of the rebel works was
being evacuated. The “On to Richmond” was ordered, and at daylight the
picket line of the 2nd brigade, 3rd division, 24th
corps advanced and took possession of the enemy’s picket line. A few prisoners
were captured and the forts reconnoitered; an intelligent “Johnny” was
selected as a guide, and distinctly informed that he was not expected to lead
the troops on to torpedoes or other infernal machines. Advancing to the line of
abattis, the skirmishers were halted, and the numerous red cloth badges that
marked the localities of torpedoes, pointed out, when, carefully filing through
a narrow opening in the outer works, the line re-formed in rear of Forts Gilmer
and Henry. Advancing rapidly towards the city, we soon arrived near the inner
defences. The detail of the 9th Vermont Vols., consisting of three
officers and one hundred enlisted men were sent forward as skirmishers, the
remainder of the picket line being formed in support. After proceeding a short
distance in this order, it was ascertained that the camps and forts were all
deserted, and the task before us was simply to go forward and take possession of
the abandoned Capitol.
At this time a brigade of colored troops from the 18th
Army Corps came up, and rushed forward to be the first in Richmond, but the
practiced “double quick” of the veterans of the old 18th Army
Corps was in too fast time for the enthusiasm of the darkies, and they had to
fall behind.
Near the city Maj. Gen. Weitzel and staff rode to the
front, and amidst the shouts and cheers of a liberated people, the stars and
stripes passed proudly through the streets of the treason stained capital of
Secessis.
The first troops in the city were the picket line of the 2nd
brigade, 3rd division, 24th Army Corps. The 9th
Vermont Volunteers is the infantry regiment whose representatives first entered
the Capital of Rebeldom.
The city was on fire in many places, the flames spread
rapidly, and the lower portion of the city was soon a surging mass of fire. Most
of the government buildings, with a large amount of private property was
destroyed.
The capture of ordnance and quartermaster stores is
unprecedented, the number of prisoners is also large. The entrance to the city
was more like an ovation to returned heroes than the surrender of a conquered
capital. The streets were lined with the inhabitants, both white and black, and
the cheers and songs of gladness from the side walks drowned the shouts of joy
from the victorious soldiers in the streets.
J. C. B. [Joel C. Baker, 1st LT, 9th
Vermont Infantry]
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