Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to sister Anna
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.080 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 April 1865 Pagination: 5 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Written two days after Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomatox Court House. Describes the scene in Richmond a week after its fall. Criticizes Jefferson Davis' for fleeing after he called for the burning of Richmond. Writes that there were half starved children and women in Richmond whose food supplies had been cut off. Reports that the men in blue gave their food to begging children; an act which later reassured Richmonders that "they were among friends instead of enemies." Painter and his company had expected to encounter another struggle for the capitol after leaving Signal Hill, but instead found an abandoned Confederate camp. Describes more celebrating over the capture of Richmond and Lee's surrender.
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