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[Special Correspondence of The Press]

Richmond, May 12, 1865.

The event yesterday was the passage through this city of the left wing of Sherman’s army, consisting of the 14^th and 20^th Corps, under Major General Slocum. Considerable disappointment was experienced in its not breaking camp day before yesterday, as officially announced, but large throngs assembled along the route of the parade. The soldiers have been camped for several days in Manchester, which is connected by a pontoon bridge with this city and many of them have availed themselves of the opportunity to visit Richmond and observe the points of interest.

Citation:Philadelphia Press. Philadelphia, 15 May 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5447

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Grant Demands the Surrender of Johnston’ Army.

Fortress Monroe, April 27.—a steamer arrived here to-day, from Morehead city, bringing advices from Newbern that General Grant has effectually put an end to the armistice of Sherman.

It was reported in Newbern that Grant had given Johnston up to 6 A.M. yesterday to surrender his army (conditions unknown), but announcing that after that hour hostilities would at once be resumed. To this Johnston is said to have replied that if Jeff. Davis and the leading General officers of the Confederacy were pardoned and permission given them to leave the country, free and unmolested, he would be authorized to accept the terms proposed by Lieutenant-General Grant.

Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. 29 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546

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The Funeral Procession in New York

New York, April 25.- A constant stream of people have been passing through the room in the City Hall, where the remains of the late President have been exposed to view, ever since yesterday afternoon. They pass at a rate of eighty per minute.

At midnight the German singers, numbering about one thousand voices, chaunted dirges. Throughout the night the long line of citizens, anxious to view the remains, was kept moving.

Early this morning, it seemed diminished very little, and soon after daylight was lengthened greatly, extending from Warren to John streets on the west side of City Hall, while there was another line of greater length running through the streets on the east side of the hall…

Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer.  Philadelphia, 26 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546

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Our Dead President in Philadelphia

Philadelphia, the birth-place of American Independence, has no day in her history like that of Saturday. At half-past four in the afternoon, the remains of Abraham Lincoln, the gentle and humane President, whom she loved as she loved Washington in other days, arrived within her limits. Half a million of sorrow stricken people were upon the streets. To do honor to all that was left of the man whom they respected, revered and loved with an affection never before bestowed on any other, save the Father of his Country. Universal grief was depicted on the faces of all. Hearts beat quick and fast with the throb of a sorrow which they had never experienced. Young and old alike bowed in solemn reverence before the draped chariot which bore the body of our deceased, assassinated President. The feeling was too deep for expression. The wet cheeks of a strong man, the tearful eyes of the maiden and matron, the hush which pervaded the atmosphere and made it oppressive, the steady measured tread of the military and the civic procession, the mournful dirges of the bands, the dismal tolling of the bells and the boom of the minute guns, told more than it is possible for language to express. Slowly and sadly the funeral cortege moved over the designated route. Everywhere were the emblems of mourning. The flags were all at half-mast and heavily draped, and not a house along the line of procession, indeed, not a house in all this vast city, but exhibited the signs of grief, the weeds of woe. Rome never paid such honors to her dead heroes. Greece never lavished such expressions of sorrow and regret over the remains of her departed great. The day was a day of mourning in Philadelphia. It was a day devoted solely as a mighty tribute of regard to the illustrious dead, and as the funeral car bearing casket which inclosed the precious dust passed along the crowded streets, all felt too much respect could not be given to the dead President, whose every thought, whose every pulsation of his generous heart, and whose only ambition were for the welfare of his poor bleeding country.

The mourning throngs at last realized, what it was so difficult to realize just one week previous, that the noble ruler, who for four years has been striving to secure the perpetuity of our institutions, and preserve the untarnished the luster of our old flag, had passed from life unto death.

Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. 24 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546

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Ten Thousand Dollars Reward Offered for the Arrest of Booth

Proclamation of Governor Curtin.

Harrisburg, April 20.- The following proclamation was issued today:-

In the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the said Commonwealth:-

Whereas, it is rumored that J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln, has, within a day or two, been seen in Pennsylvania, now, therefore, I, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor as aforesaid, do hereby offer a reward of ten thousand (10,000) dollars to be paid to the person or persons who shall apprehend said Booth within this Commonwealth, so that he may be brought to justice; and said reward to be paid immediately after the necessary appropriation shall have been made by the Legislature.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State, at Harrisburg, this twentieth (20^th) day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred an d sixty-five (1865) and of the Commonwealth the eighty-ninth (89^th).

By the Governor.

Eli Slifer

Secretary of the Commonwealth

Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, 21 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN.P5446

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Special Dispatches to the Inquirer

Washington April 17, 1865.

The Assassination of the President

Every hour passing goes to prove that the assassination of President Lincoln and Cabinet … originated with the Knights of the Golden Circle, the same plotters who designed last fall to revolutionize the great West by murdering the Governors of the States of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, &c.

…

Booth’s Conduct of Late.

For two months he has appeared to be greatly occupied with something, something that weighed heavily upon his mind, and of so large a magnitude that he would not disclose it to his most importunate and intimate friends. Among his companions he was often silent, and when talking frequently absent-minded and wandering. The hideous crime he had in contemplation and which he had sworn to accomplish, was the cause.

The Murder Fixed for the 4^th of March.

The fourth of March was fixed originally for the assassination, and Booth was on the ground, but either through fear of not being able to effect his escape or because of the failure of his accomplice to meet him at that time, the attempt was not made.

The Assassin Lies in Wait.

He is now known to have waited for the President on that day, on the embankment near the north wing of the Capitol, close to which Mr. Lincoln would pass.

Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. 18 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546

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Important Announcement by the Secretary Stanton-Drafting and recruiting in the loyal states is to be stopped-purchases and expenses to be curtailed-military restrictions on trade to be removed.

Washington, April 13, 1865.-To Major-General Dix, New York.- This department, after mature consideration and consultation with the Lieutenant-General upon the results of the recent campaign, has come to the following determination, which will be carried into effect by appropriate orders, to be immediately issued:-

First. To stop all drafting and recruiting in the loyal States.

Second. To curtail purchases for arms, ammunition, Quartermaster and Commissary supplies, and reduce the expenses of the military establishment in its several branches.

Third. To reduce the number of general and staff officers to the actual necessities of the service.

Fourth. To remove all military restrictions upon trade and commerce so far as may be consistent with the public safety.

As soon as these measures can be put in operation it will be made known by public orders.

Edwin M. Stanton

Secretary of War

Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. 14 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546

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Our Special Washington Dispatch.

Washington, April 3 – Midnight

A dispatch received here, dated Spotswood House, Richmond, 1:30 P.M. to-day, says that but little property was destroyed by the fire in Richmond, which was mainly confined to the tobacco warehouses.

The reception of the Union Troops was enthusiastic beyond all expectation, and confirmed the statement so often made that there were large numbers of Unionists in that city. Many Union flags were displayed, and great rejoicing manifested at the deliverance so long and so anxiously looked for.

From private information received here to-day we learn that President Lincoln designed going himself to Richmond, and may have done so before now.

A telegraphic dispatch received here to-night from the President states that he spent the night in Petersburg and returned to City Point to-night.

It does not seem to have been generally remembered that to-day is the anniversary of Lieutenant General Grant’s taking command of the army in person at Culpepper Court House, Va.

Caption: New York Herald. 4 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .N56792

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Newbern, N.C., March 12, 1865.

Yesterday the enemy fell back across the Neuse River, after burning the bridge over that stream.

It is reported that they also burned the Rebel ram at the same time, which was guarding the bridge.

Timber is now going forward to rebuild the bridge.

The railroad is completed to within a short distance of the river, opposite Kinston.

The enemy will not be able to remain in Kinston long, even if the decide to make another stand, of which there is much doubt.

Deserters and refugees continue to come into our lines.

The enemy suffered the most, owing to their repeated charges on out works, in which they were repulsed each time with severe loss.

Our troops stand their ground manfully, and are in high spirits over the prospect of meeting Sherman soon.

Citation: New York Daily Tribune. 16 March 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab.