Under the Stars and Stripes Again: Taking Richmond with the 4th New Jersey Battery

For nearly four years, the mantra of the Army of the Potomac was “On to Richmond!” In early April 1865, that long cherished goal was finally accomplished and First Lieutenant James Morris of the 4th New Jersey Battery was on hand to witness the historic occasion.

          “At early daybreak a dense cloud of smoke was observed hanging over the city and when we came in sight of the city, the scene was terribly grand,” he recorded. “I thought at first that Lee was trying to play Moscow on us. Great clouds of fire and smoke were rolling up from a score of buildings in the heart of the city. The arsenal was on fire and the immense quantity of shells stored therein were bursting continually, scattering destruction and death among the terrified women and children whose homes were in flames.”

          “One of our bands struck up “Yankee Doodle” and when a young lady was asked by an office how she liked that tune, she replied, “I would to God that I heard it two years ago!” The people are almost entirely without food as their pinched looks plainly show and they eagerly accepted the hardtack from our soldiers’ haversacks. We could hardly believe that this is Richmond, so different is the bearing of the people from what we expected,” Morris observed.

          Lieutenant Morris’s account of the occupation of Richmond first saw publication in the April 13, 1865, edition of the Monmouth Democrat published in Freehold, New Jersey.

 

"At early daybreak a dense cloud of smoke was observed hanging over the city and when we came in sight of the city, the scene was terribly grand," recalled Lieutenant James Morris of the 4th New Jersey Battery. After nearly four years of effort, the Army of the Potomac had finally taken Richmond and the end of the Confederacy was within sight. 

Richmond, Virginia

April 3, 1865

          This has been a glorious day for us. This morning, at about 3 o’clock, the troops were aroused by stunning reports of the exploding Rebel gunboats in the river. In a moment, the whole line was aroused. As daylight approached, it was discovered that the Rebel line was evacuated and our pickets immediately advanced and took possession of the deserted works without firing a shot. A few prisoners were captured without resistance.

          The army was soon in motion. To the 4th New Jersey Battery was assigned the task of bringing in the captured artillery which was a rather dangerous task on account of the torpedoes planted around the abattis of the forts. The guns were brought in safely however and our own battery was soon en route with the column for Richmond. We arrived in the city at 11 a.m. Our advance was close on the heels of the Rebel rear guard. Not a shot was fired while on the march. So sudden was the evacuation that about 2,000 Rebel soldiers in the hospital and stragglers about town were captured.

          At early daybreak a dense cloud of smoke was observed hanging over the city and when we came in sight of the city, the scene was terribly grand. I thought at first that Lee was trying to play Moscow on us. Great clouds of fire and smoke were rolling up from a score of buildings in the heart of the city. The arsenal was on fire and the immense quantity of shells stored therein were bursting continually, scattering destruction and death among the terrified women and children whose homes were in flames. They were made beggars by the very ones who they were taught to believe were their saviors. General Lee had ordered these buildings to be burned to the ground and it was pitiful to see the gorgeous furniture, splendid pianos, and costly mirrors tossed about the streets. Beautiful women and innocent children were jostled by the swaying, surging throng.

          General [Godfrey] Weitzel established his headquarters in the Confederate capitol building about 8 a.m. There is true Union sentiment in Richmond without doubt. Very few of the inhabitants had the opportunity to leave with the Rebel army. Old U.S. flags, bearing the name Millard Fillmore on the stripes, were today waved in the streets for the first time in four years. Flags that have been carefully hid from Rebel scrutiny were fluttered today from many a window and doorway. The white population are very polite and kind to our troops and the Negroes were wild with excitement. Everywhere when the stars and stripes were displayed, the Negroes took off their hats and bowed and were very loud in their demonstrations of joy. The windows were crowded with happy faces. “That’s the flag, boys! Thank God we are under the stars and stripes again! They’re the colors after all,” and innumerable expressions of the like we heard constantly as the crowd caught sight of our guidon.

First Lt. James B. Morris
Battery D, 1st New Jersey Light Artillery
Dept. of State, State of New Jersey

          One of our bands struck up “Yankee Doodle” and when a young lady was asked by an office how she liked that tune, she replied, “I would to God that I heard it two years ago!” The people are almost entirely without food as their pinched looks plainly show and they eagerly accepted the hardtack from our soldiers’ haversacks. We could hardly believe that this is Richmond, so different is the bearing of the people from what we expected.

          Libby Prison was set on fire by the Rebels but the fire was extinguished before much damage was done. I rode past there about 4 o’clock this afternoon and found it crowded with Rebel prisoners. A group of Union soldiers who had formerly been inmates of the prison were standing on the pavement shaking their fists defiantly at the graybacks now behind the bars. “The tables are turned now, boys,” one of them said and their earnest manner showed that they appreciated the change.

          We now have possession of the whole Rebel line from Richmond to Petersburg. We captured today over 500 pieces of artillery in the defenses around this city. From Chapin’s Farm to Richmond, the country was cut up with line after line of entrenchments and the defensive position was splendid. If the Rebs can’t hold such a line as that, the game is up with them.

          We have encamped for the night in a very pleasant spot on the western border of the city near the Danville railroad. I am writing these hasty notes on the blank pages of a “Confederate roster of the prisoner’s guard on Belle Isle.” The number of prisoners is increasing every hour, hundreds being found concealed in houses and in the woods outside the city. The capitol park is occupied by a brigade of the 24th Army Corps. The Rebel quartermaster’s department was broken open by the citizens as soon as the fact of the evacuation became known and everyone, white and black, are sporting new Confederate uniforms. Jackets, shoes, pants, red caps and blankets were carried off by the Yankees. I heard several ladies say they had more to eat today than at any one time in two years. They denounce Jeff Davis and General Lee bitterly as the destroyers of their homes and murderers of their sons and brothers.

          President Davis left Richmond for Danville on the Danville railroad yesterday and probably he is now playing for the role of a disguised prince. The Rebel army has probably gone to Lynchburg.

          Our army is in splendid condition and this victory is all the more glorious because it is bloodless. We are anxiously waiting for news from the Army of the Potomac. Now that the Rebs have started, we won’t give them any rest until there is nothing left of them. I send you $5,000 worth of Confederate checks taken from the office of the Secretary of State which would bring in Freehold about 25 cents.

          The morale of the troops would be better if there was no more ale sold allowed to be sold to them by the citizens. Tobacco is cheap as dirt, five pounds of Killikinick selling for 50 cents. The steamer Allison and another tug were not destroyed with the rest of the shipping by the Rebels on account of their being private property. They were promptly seized by General Weitzel and used to transport troops across the river who took immediate possession of Fort Darling on Drury’s Bluff. Merriam, the N.Y. Herald correspondent, wrote his dispatches today on the desk of the Secretary of War.

 

Source:

Letter from First Lieutenant James B. Morris, Battery D, 1st New Jersey Light Artillery (AKA 4th New Jersey Battery), Monmouth Democrat (New Jersey), April 13, 1865, pg. 2

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