New York Herald, 4/7/1865, p. 1, c. 1

THE HERALD DESPATCHES.
AFFAIRS IN RICHMOND.
Mr. William H. Merriam's Despatch.

MAJOR GENERAL WEITZEL'S HEADQUARTERS,
RICHMOND, Va., April 4, 1865.

The constant recurrence of enlivening scenes in Richmond since the Union accession, is so much in contrast with the sober realities of a life is camp, to which I have been so largely accustomed of late, that I have not as yet addressed myself to the writing up of those many scenes marking rebel life and manners which will go to history, when written, as remembrances of our occupation of the rebel capital.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN IN RICHMOND.

Perhaps, however, it may be said, no one incident of of all this drama will so attract and fix the attention of the American people and the civilized world as the appearance to-day in the city of Richmond – erased capital of infernal traitors – of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States.

HIS ARRIVAL AND GREETING.

On yesterday it came to be known that the President would enter Richmond, and hold counsel with all who might be desirous of lending a helping hand to the restoration of the Union. Mr. Lincoln left City Point in the flagship of Admiral Porter, accompanied by the Bat, and, ascending the James, arrived at Rockett's Landing early in the day. He was accompanied, in the way of a guard, by one company of marines and one company of armed sailors (a distinction without a difference). As the President approached the headquarters of Major General Weitzel the salutes were opened, and he was found to be accompanied by Admiral Porter and an immense crowd of the people, who accorded to their liberator the cordial acclamations of a race owing him so much. It was truly a cheering sight to see Abraham Lincoln walking, rather than riding in pageant, the streets of Richmond – proud, but fallen city of the South – followed by an admiring crowd, where, but a few hours before, he would have been the subject of rebel jest and ribaldry, which his own patience has overcome, even to the approaching point of rebel reconsideration of folly.

MR. LINCOLN IN JEFF. DAVIS' LATE RESIDENCE.

The President, upon his arrival in the city, was immediately escorted, by his own choice, upon foot, to the headquarters of Major General Weitzel, commanding department, which are in the house of Jefferson Davis, and the threshold of which that arch-rebel crossed for the last time on Sunday evening, to take the cars for Danville, followed by his broken army. The President of the United States receiving the congratulations of an admiring auditory in the city of Richmond, and within the (late) domestic precincts of Jefferson Davis, needs no comment to cause the American people to believe that this atrocious struggle is quite at its end.

A RECEPTION

Major General Weitzel, upon the sudden appearance of Mr. Lincoln, held extemporized drawing room receptions in the Executive mansion of the confederacy, to which the President loaned, in his presence, the chiefest attraction. He was introduced to the leading general and staff officers of the Department of Virginia and the Army of the James now present in Richmond, among whom were General Shepley, General Kautz, General Devens, Gen. Roberts, Colonel Ed. W. Smith, Assistant Adjutant General; Colonel F. S. Manning, Provost Marshal General Army of the James; Colonel Coughlin, Provost of the Department of Virginia; Colonel Placidus Ord, Assistant Adjutant General; Colonel Donnohoe, commanding brigade; Colonel W. V. Hutchings, Major A. H. Stevens, Major D. D. Wheeler, Major E. E. Graves, Captain Fred. Marten, Captain Lewis Weitzel, Captain Fitch, Captain Graves, Captain Howard, Lieutenant H. S. Merrell, United States Army, and Lieutenant Struble.

THE PRESIDENT RIDES THROUGH THE CITY.

Just subsequent to the reception there was a private conference, after which the President rode out to see the city of Richmond – object of all his Presidential affections.

RETURN TO THE STEAMER IN THE JAMES.

The ride over, the President proceeded to his ship, leaving us to the kindly realm of future developments. The President's condition of body and mind is best understood by the presentation of the fact, that physical inability, confessed to those with him in his carriage, alone prevented him from hoisting the flag of his country over the ancient Capitol building of Virginia – several hundred years of age in respect of patriotism, only four years old in treason.

THE PRESENT CONTENTS OF LIBBY.

The late prison of Union patriots – Libby Prison – rejoices to-day in a crowded complement of rebel officers and soldiers. They are there for the express purpose of being permitted to Libby-ize just as our men suffered.

HONORS TO GENERAL WEITZEL.

The following telegraphic dispatch was received this evening by Major General Weitzel, the first of the Union generals to enter Richmond. The dispatch is signed by the Mayor and other prominent citizens: -

CINCINNATI, April 4, 1865.

Major General WEITZEL: -
The Queen City of the West sends greeting to her native son. He has deserved well of the republic.
This gratifying dispatch found General Weitzel surrounded by a number of friends, all of whom shared in the glorious enterprise of the occupancy of Richmond.

SOBRIETY – AN ORDER.

The following order indicates that nobody shall keep a grocery in or about Richmond: -

OFFICE PROVOST MARSHAL,
RICHMOND, April 3, 1865.

All places in the city of Richmond where intoxicating liquors are sold are hereby ordered to be immediately closed. Any person whatever, who shall sell or give to any enlisted man of the armies of the United States any intoxicating liquor, will be immediately arrested and summarily punished.

By direction of Brig. Gen. GEO. F. SHEPLEY,
Military Governor of Richmond.

FRED. L. MANNING, Lieutenant Colonel and Provost Marshal of Richmond.

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