Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/258

250 The explosion which took place at the railway depot on the outskirt of the town, about daylight on the morning of the evacuation, was caused by men sleeping among ammunition stored there. The depot alone was destroyed and no fire spread from it. I visited the spot before leaving the city, which I did about nine A. M., as the enemy were entering the town.

An officer of General Sherman's staff (Major Murray), now attached to the New York Herald's editorial corps, informed me several years ago that he went to General Sherman and begged him to stop his soldiers from burning the city, and that he turned a deaf ear to him. I furnished General Hampton with the name of this, officer at the time, as he authorized me to do so.

Yours, truly,.

October 23d, 1863.

General ,

Adjutant and Inspector-General, C. S. A., Richmond, Va.: General—In advance of a detailed report I have the honor to submit for the information of the Department the following outline of the recent operations of this army. With the design of bringing on an engagement with the Federal army, which was encamped around Culpeper Courthouse, extending thence to the Rapidan, this army crossed that river on the 9th instant, and advanced by way of Madison Courthouse. Our progress was necessarily slow, as the march was by circuitous and concealed roads, in order to avoid the observation of the enemy. General Fitz. Lee, with his cavalry division and a detachment of infantry, remained to hold