Washington D.C. April 4-1865

 

                                    My Dear Wife.

                                                                                    How are you to night. Two big days.

 

RICHMOND has gone up and Gold has gone down. Gen Wetzel marched into Richmond with his colored troops at 8-1/4 A.M. yesterday morning and took possession in the name of Uncle Sam. the news was tellegraphed to this city about 11-o-Clock yesterday. business was suspended. I went down Town in the after noon, and never did I see so much excitement and exaultation in my life. The War Office was nearly all covered with Flags. Speaches by Sec Stanton. Sec Seward. Gen Butler. Gen Smith. Senator Nye. Spencer of N.Y. and others. Bands out. Fire Engines going through the Streats Women running about. mouths open from “year to year” Colored People couldent keep still, thus the day passed off. And this day they say, JEFFERSON.DAVIS has gone into the country a short distance for his health of cours, had to have an escott. MR.R.E.LEE and a few thousand have attended him for it is not very safe to travil alone in his own country. This is the last of the Rebelion. there will proberbly be a little bushwhaking but no more Battles, the work is done. VICTORY is ours. The Capitol is illuminated and looks like a sea of light The Whole City is alive with jollyfication this eve.

 

I cannot close this without saying Glory be to God who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let every Christian say Amen

 

                                                                                    Good night my love

                                                                                                Your Husband

                                                                                                            Sergt Daniel Gookin

                                                                                                Co. B, 17^th Maine Vols

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