Confederate Evacuation of Richmond
Information about the Confederate Evacuation of Richmond, VA.

Richmond was evacuated on the 2nd of April, 1865.

The fleeing Confederates set fire to several warehouses and the fire got out of hand. In addition, a mob formed, looting and spreading the fire.

The next day the Federals received the city's surrender and entered the city.

Written Accounts

1865-08-01, Richmond Commercial Bulletin; column about the dangerous condition of the ruins of Richmond – particular attention paid to the Warwick & Barksdale (Gallego) mills.
1865-08-01, Richmond Commercial Bulletin; State Library is open, though there is no librarian, and the evacuation caused a great loss of books
1865-08-18, Richmond Whig; Exchange Hotel is reopening under new management
1865-08-23, Richmond Commercial Bulletin; extremely long description of the State Penitentiary, with details about damage done during the evacuation
1865-09-05, Richmond Whig; details about the wrecks at Rocketts – call for their removal
1865-10-20, Richmond Whig; The granite front of the Exchange Bank, destroyed in the evacuation fire, is being repaired and to be reused as a bank
1865-12-20, Official Records, Ser. I, Vol. XLVI/1, p. 1292-1295; Ewell's report on the fall of Richmond and the retreat to Appomattox
1865, William Clemens Letters; outstanding account of Lincoln's visit to Richmond
1866-01-09, Richmond Whig; important article about the re-organization of the Public Guard, to guard the Penitentiary, Capitol Square, “and the Armory, when we have one.”
1866-01-13, Richmond Examiner; negroes found with stolen goods, believed to have been taken during the evacuation

Page 9 of 16

Go to top