First wagon train entering Petersburg

April 1865

From "War Memories" catalog: As soon as the Rebels were forced to evacuate Petersburg, April 2, 1865, our troops took possession; the inhabitants of the city were in a very destitute condition, almost starving in fact. The U.S. Government at once began issuing rations to these starving people, and great trains loaded with provisions soon rolled into the city. This is a view of the first wagon train that entered the city. The hated Yankees came to them with barrels of flour pork coffee, sugar, and other necessaries to relieve their suffering brought upon them by their friends(?) the Rebels.