Charlottesville was occupied by Sheridan’s Cavalry, U.S.A., arriving March 3rd, 1865, and leaving on the 6th. Their entry was from the West, and troops encamped in many sections of the town: “above the University,” South of the University (Piedmont), Belmont, Park Street, what is now Locust Grove, etc.

A committee from the University secured guards for that institution and it was uninjured. There was no burning in the town with the exception of the Woolen Mills, East Market Street, which had furnished material for Confederate uniforms. All approaching bridges were destroyed. Searching homes for hidden arms was almost universal, and there was considerable looting, followed in some instances by mobs of negroes and disorderly whites. A detailed, edited letter in the Magazine of Albemarle County History, Vol. 14, gives the following information:

“As a general thing the citizens suffered little. Parties were sent out in all directions, and did an immense amount of damage. Our country friends suffered dreadfully. Corn, meat, flour, hay, horses, and negroes were in great demand.... I suppose the County has lost many hundred horses, and from 1500 to 2000 negroes. Some families lost almost everything they had, their household stuff being taken away or destroyed.... Hundreds of watches must have been carried out of the County. Poor Mrs. Harper (Farmington) not only lost in servants and horses, but had her house ransacked from garrett to cellar.... Her pictures were spared, her wines, of course, all taken.... I told my servants they had my full consent to go, ... but none of mine left.” (Quartered in his home, 713 Park Street, were Col. Battersby, 1st N. Y. Lincoln Cavalry, his Hungarian orderly, and a negro servant.) “He and his orderly appeared to be perfect gentlemen and conducted themselves in all respects as our guests.” He furnished guards for two neighbors. “Col. Battersby had a fine Newfoundland dog.... He returned to my house the day after his master left, and is now with me. I have written to Col. Battersby and sent my letter to Richmond to go by flag of truce.” Family tradition states that shortly after Appomattox the orderly came for the dog.

Col. Sheridan’s headquarters were successively No. 408 and No. 522 Park St. Major-General Wesley E. Merritt was quartered at 303 East High Street, and Major-General George A. Custer at The Farm—the beautiful house designed by Jefferson, now 1201 East Jefferson Street. It was at the time the home of Capt. Thomas L. Farish, C.S.A.

ESCAPE FROM GALLOWS

Capt. Farish was on Adjutant-General duty in South-side Virginia. He obtained leave to return to Albemarle for the protection of his family. He was captured in civilian dress and taken to the custody of Gen. Custer—in Farish’s own home. Receiving him, Custer said, “Capt. Farish, in these unusual circumstances, I don’t know whether it is my duty to ask you to take a seat or yours to ask me.” The civilian dress classed Farish as a spy, and Sheridan sentenced him to death by hanging. Workmen erected a scaffold beneath one of the giant white oaks on Farish’s lawn. Custer made persistent remonstrance, and in a discussion which lasted until midnight, obtained a change of sentence to parole. (See Farish’s narrative, Weekly Chronicle, Charlottesville, August 4, 1876—Alderman Library.)