This fine mansion on Bolingbroke Street, the residential section of
Petersburg, has now, on the 3d of April, fallen into the hands of
straggling Union soldiers. Its windows have long since been shattered by
shells from distant Federal mortars; one has even burst through the wall.
But it was not till the night of April 2d, when the retreat of the
Confederate forces started, that the citizens began to leave their homes.
At 9 o'clock in the morning General Grant, surrounded by his staff, rode
quietly into the city. The streets were deserted. At length they arrived
at a comfortable home standing back in a yard. There he dismounted and sat
for a while on the piazza. Soon a group of curious citizens gathered on
the sidewalk to gaze at the commander of the Yankee armies. But the Union
troops did not remain long in the deserted homes. Sheridan was already in
pursuit south of the Appomattox, and Grant, after a short conference with
Lincoln, rode to the west in the rear of the hastily marching troops.
Bolingbroke Street and Petersburg soon returned to the ordinary
occupations of peace in an effort to repair the ravages of the historic
nine months' siege.
[Illustration: APPOMATTOX STATION--LEE'S LAST ATTEMPT TO PROVISION HIS
RETREATING ARMY