_April,_ 1865.--What a month this has been. On the 6th of April Governor Fenton issued this proclamation: "Richmond has fallen. The wicked men who governed the so-called Confederate States have fled their capital, shorn of their power and influence. The rebel armies have been defeated, broken and scattered. Victory everywhere attends our banners and our armies, and we are rapidly moving to the closing scenes of the war. Through the self-sacrifice and heroic devotion of our soldiers, the life of the republic has been saved and the American Union preserved. I, Reuben E. Fenton, Governor of the State of New York, do designate Friday, the 14th of April, the day appointed for the ceremony of raising the United States flag on Fort Sumter, as a day of Thanksgiving, prayer and praise to Almighty God, for the signal blessings we have received at His hands."
_Saturday, April_ 8.--The cannon has fired a salute of thirty-six guns to celebrate the fall of Richmond. This evening the streets were thronged with men, women and children all acting crazy as if they had not the remotest idea where they were or what they were doing. Atwater block was beautifully lighted and the band was playing in front of it. On the square they fired guns, and bonfires were lighted in the streets. Gov. Clark's house was lighted from the very garret and they had a transparency in front, with "Richmond" on it, which Fred Thompson made. We didn't even light "our other candle," for Grandmother said she preferred to keep Saturday night and pity and pray for the poor suffering, wounded soldiers, who are so apt to be forgotten in the hour of victory.
_Sunday Evening, April_ 9.--There were great crowds at church this morning. Dr. Daggett's text was from Prov. 18: 10: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." It was a very fine sermon. They sang hymns relating to our country and Dr. Daggett's prayers were full of thanksgiving. Mr. Noah T. Clarke had the chapel decorated with flags and opened the Sunday School by singing, "Marching On," "My Country, 'tis of Thee," "The Star Spangled Banner," "Glory, Hallelujah," etc. Hon. Wm. H. Lamport talked very pleasantly and paid a very touching tribute to the memory of the boys, who had gone out to defend their country, who would never come "marching home again." He lost his only son, 18 years old (in the 126th), about two years ago. I sat near Mary and Emma Wheeler and felt so sorry for them. They could not sing.