The evacuation of Fayetteville.
The following interesting account of the evacuation of Fayetteville is taken from the Biblical Recorder:‘ When General Sherman started on his raid from Savannah, it was generally believed in military circles that he would follow the course of the railroad from Columbia to Charlotte. Preparations were made to check him before he reached the latter place. On arriving at Chester, he turned his column to the right, captured Camden, and moved on the main road to Cheraw. General Hardee was compelled to evacuate the town and retreat to Rockingham. He was then ordered by General Johnston to fall back upon Fayetteville. On reaching the vicinity, on Wednesday, the 8th, he took a position six miles from town, where he was reinforced by the command of Lieutenant-General Hampton. It was believed that a stand would be made and the place defended. It did seem that the splendid arsenal, the seven cotton and three oil factories, etc., made it a place of sufficient importance to the Government to make a more determined defence. On Thursday the artillery and trains began to cross the river. Then it was announced that General Johnston had left; and all hope of defence was abandoned. Thursday was a gloomy day. The weather was inclement, the people sad, the soldiers disappointed.--The citizens began to secrete their provisions, plate, jewelry, etc. The ladies had provisions cooked for the soldiers, and the citizens who were likely to be molested began to prepare to leave.
’ Friday was fast day. In the morning it rained heavily. The church bells called the people to the house of prayer, but few obeyed the call. About noon the clouds passed away, and the sun shone as brightly and the evening was as calm as if the sound of war had never been heard in the land. Late in the afternoon it was announced that the infantry were intrenching, and this led many to believe that the town was not lost. The wish was father to the thought. To those conversant with military movements it indicated an immediate retreat. About sunset, nearly five hundred prisoners, captured in the morning, were brought in and hurried to the front. As the shades of darkness began to cover the old town, the quartermaster and ordnance wagons moved towards the river, and the infantry began to pass to the front. Those of us who intended leaving were assured that we could not remain till morning; and we retired to our homes and partook of our evening repast with feelings that are not easily described. Loved ones separated; fathers embraced their children; husbands and wives parted — but I must stop. The grief of such partings is too sacred for the public eye. On hurrying to the streets, I found them thronged with soldiers. It took me three hours to cross the bridge, just one mile from my residence. On crossing, we repaired to the house of a friend and sought a few hours repose.
Saturday morning we returned to the river. Soldiers and citizens were hurrying across. The enemy had entered the town and been driven back in confusion. The cavalry on the outposts were drawn in and a line formed for the defence of the bridge. The troops crossed in a very orderly, quiet manner. Just before the last detachment of cavalry crossed, the steamers and flats in the river were fired. These well known favorites floated from their moorings as the flames shot up towards the heavens. The enemy, in force, entered the town and commenced firing upon the rear of our retreating column.
The confusion among the citizens was, of course, intense. In a few moments the streets were cleared, and the troops engaged in a spirited fight at long range. Just as-soon as the last detachment crossed, the bridge was fired. In a few moments it was enveloped in flames, and fell with a crash that resembled the roar of artillery. A 32-pounder was posted in front of the bridge, so as to command a portion of Hay street, and all that portion of it which passes through what is called Campbellton. The street was in a few moments crowded with mounted men. The roar of the flames that were consuming the bridge, boats and old warehouses, the exultant cheers of the invaders, the screams of excited females, the hallooing of thoughtless boys, all broke upon the stillness of a lovely morning. The enemy rush in triumph towards the bridge, heedless of danger, when a solid shot from a 32-pounder strikes the head of their column and passes through it. Then, after a momentary pause, the column closes, and on they come. The next moment a shell is thrown into their midst; the shell explodes; there is confusion; another, and another, and the street is deserted. General Hampton then discovered that they were endeavoring to reach a sedan to the left of the bridge. To do this they had to pass over an open field. The gun was moved to a point which commanded the field, and a few well-directed shots completed the evacuation. Scarcely a man was cut off, and no stores were lost.
E. J. Hale, the veteran editor of the Observer, had just finished working off the usual issue of his paper on Thursday. Having a good supply of paper on hand, he put his press to work on Friday, and supplied the troops with the Observer gratis.
A large number of the citizens left, among them Messrs. Hale & Son, McDuffle, McSwain, Haigh, Randall McDaniel, Colonel Cook, S. Johnson, Harden, McMillan, and others.
The citizens, up to the night of the evacuation, continued to receive Confederate money. The ladies were as indefatigable as ever in ministering to the wants of the soldiers. They have the proud satisfaction of knowing that the troops will never forget them. They are a noble people.
