Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/183

 Ki-n,-iiiitii,ii '>f ///'.-A///. ,n'/. 177

drawal of my troops was not discovered by General VVeitzel until n ported at or about daylight Monday morning, April 3d. Our tents were all, by Custis Lee's order, left standing, and our guns were not removed from the embrasures.

For the convenience of transportation, a pontoon bridge had pre- viously been thrown across the river at a point between Chaffin's Bluff and Richmond, but not far from our camp. Custis Lee's Di- vision crossed upon this bridge, and was led by him on the south side of the James, several miles in the direction of Manchester. Just before daylight on Monday morning we got in sight of burning Rich- mond, and almost simultaneously with our discovery that Richmond u.is burning we began to hear the report of explosions on the river, which had been caused by the blowing up of the Confederate steamers Jamestown and Athens. These were not ironclads. I have no doubt that these explosions first announced to General Weitzel the with- drawal of the Confederate forces from his front, and the purposed surrender of Richmond.

A scene more awful, and at the same time sublime, I never wit- nessed certainly, or even conceived, than that presented by the burning of the Confederate capital in the distance, rendered, of course, the more impressive by the explosions on the river not far distant, which almost deafened us. It is a scene I shall never forget.

Of course these explosions were caused by our own officers, who in abandoning these vessels had them blown up to avoid the possi- bility of their being of service to the enemy.

I think I have answered above your several inquiries, which it gratifies me to do, and now remain,

Truly your friend,

JOHN WILDER ATKINSON, Former Lieutenant- Colonel Confederate States Artillery.

It should not be omitted to state, what is too little known, that upon approaching the city, then in conflagration, General Weitzel reversed the negro brigade, then in advance, and placed it in the rear, in respect to the feelings of the citizens, and to avoid conflict; and that he promptly addressed his whole command to the arrest and extinguishment of the fire, which was thereby effected, and the whole city saved from immediate peril of destruction. Too much credit and gratitude cannot be accorded in honor of such wise, con- siderate, and noble conduct.

12