Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 22.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[72] host of Federal soldiers, and then followed such a shout of victory as seemed to shake the very ground on which we stood. This large body of Federals, with whose great numbers I was so much impressed, were in the Federal breastworks on the west side of Old Town creek, thrown up the previous morning when the Federals had broken through our lines and taken possession of the territory to the west of this stream; and they had been massed at the point we saw, preliminary to an assault on our works. As these Federals came forward towards us from the Federal earthworks from which they emerged-these works and the Confederate works, at this point, being less than 200 yards apart-Mayor Townes and I attempted to state our mission, but the officers would not take time to stop to hear what we had to say, the men rushing ahead to enter the city, but bade us come along with them, they (the officers) promising to protect us and to protect our people.

When we returned to the city some other Federal troops had already entered, as, upon reaching the court-house, we found the whole building, steeple and all, festooned with small Federal flags. Our mission, however, was now accomplished.