The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-01 00:00:00

AMERICA.

SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday.
The North German Lloyd screw steamship
America, Captain H. Wessels, from New York on
the 20th inst., arrived off Cowes at 3 p.m., and has
gone on to Bremen. She brings 69 passengers for
this port and Havre, and 456 for Bremen; $430,600
for England, $330,000 for France, $l,OOO for
Bremen, and 430 tons of cargo, of which 130 tons
are for England. On the 22d, at 735 a.m., in lat.
40 52 N., long. 63 W., the America spoke the
Edinburgh steamer, bound for New York ; and on
the same clay, at 12 30 p.m., in lat. 41 24 N., long.
61 56 W., the Bremen ship Aristides, bound east.
Nashville despatches of the 18th announce that it

was originally
intended to take President Davis to
Washington via Nashville and Cincinnati, but that
for prudential reasons the route has been changed
to that via Macon and Augusta to Savannah. From
Savannah he was to proceed by steamer to Fortress
Monroe, where quarters had been prepared for him.
Despatches received at Nashville from General Ros-
seau state that Mr. Davis arrived at Macon on the
14th, and the statement is corroborated by tele-
grams received at Cincinnati from Resaca, Georgia.
The Washington correspondent of the Daily News,
however, under date of the 19th, mentions a report
current in that city that the person captured by
General Wilson's cavalry was not President Davis,
but some one who had impersonated him, to draw
the Federals from the real object of their pursuit,
and that the Southern President, together with his

Secretaries, Benjamin, Breckenridge, and others, are

now doubtless safely beyond the Mississippi. The
absence of all official account of the movements of
the captors and their prisoners since the first an-
nouncement of the capture is alleged by the Daily
News to strengthen the probability of the truth of
the report.
A correspondent of the New York Tribune gives
the following particulars of President Davis's flight,
and the dissolution of his party :
" Nashville, Friday, May 19.

"Through Confederate officers who have just

arrived I get a full account of Jeff. Davis's move-
ments up to within a short time of his capture. Gen.
Debrell, who commanded his escort, was engaged in
the battle near Raleigh, North Carolina, when he
received intelligence of the surrender of Lee, and at
the same time Wheeler got a despatch from Jeff.
Davis, dated Greensborough, North Carolina, call-
ing for 1,000 picked men to escort him and what
remained of his Government to Washoe, Georgia.
Debrell was accordingly despatched with the re-
quired force, and after a march of three days reached
Greensborough, at which point he found Jeff. Davis
with his family, Judah P. Benjamin, John C.
Breckinridge, Senator Burnett, of Kentucky, J. H.
Reagan, • Postmaster-General Gustavus A. Hums,
of Tennessee, and other rebel officials. As soon as
General Debrell arrived the party prepared to march,

and they set out on the following day. Jeff. Davis
and the rebel officials rode in front, followed by an
ambulance containing the women and children and
the specie, which was currently reported among the
officers to amount to 11 millions of dollars. It was
put up in heavy iron-bound kegs and boxes, and had
a guard of 1,000 men, led by Debrell, which fol-
lowed the train. At a point about five miles from
Greensborough they camped, Jeff. Davis and family
taking up their quarters in a house in the vicinity.
Here the rank and file first learnt the object of their
mission, and it was discussed with all its surmises
which it naturally excited, the men being exceedingly
anxious to know the destination of their Government.
On the following day Jeff. Davis visited the boys
and made a soul-stirring speech, adverting to the
disasters that had overtaken their beloved Confede-
racy, but giving them every assurance that they
were not irrevocably lost, that all that was neces-
sary to ultimate success was confidence in their Go-
vernment, and the undaunted bravery which had
characterised the Confederate army during its past
career. Upon taking up the line of march they rode
in the same order, Jeff. Davis having by his side
young Colonel Johnston, son of General Albert
Sydney Johnston, in whom he evidently reposed
the most implicit confidence. They reached Char-
lotte, North Carolina, where they again camped, and
Davis harangued the men again, inspiring confidence
in them, and dealing in glowing words of rebel
patriotism. He appeared happy and cheerful, took
the boys by the hand, and entered into cheerful
conversation with them. He would praise their
valour in the presence of the ladies and call them
the faithful thousand, the flower of the Confederacy,
and paid other pretty but not substantial compli-
ments. At this point they were joined by Basil
Duke, Ferguson, and Vaughan, with their brigades,
which increased the escort to the valuable propor-
tions of 5,000 men. After the new comers had
mingled with the others they soon learnt the
condition of things, and they, too, had their surmises.
Like a pack of hungry wolves they were suddenly
reminded that the Government was slightly in-
debted to them, and as the treasure was near at
hand the idea of presenting their bills suggested
itself to them. The men would congregatein groups,
and their low mutterings boded no good to the Go-
vernment. Jeff. found it necessary to redouble his
efforts to conciliate, but his eloquence was wasted now.

The men obeyed their marching orders and followed
Jeff. into South Carolina to Abbeville, where they
again halted, very much fatigued and demoralised.
On the Bth things began to assume a desperate fea-
ture, and Jeff. found it politic to inspire his brave
boys with something more substantial than words.
The treasure was opened, and the division of Gen.
Debrell, with the brigades of Duke, Ferguson, and
Vaughan were formed in line, and the soldiers were
paid off. Some of the men were paid in gold and
silver, the coin being chiefly Mexican dollars, with
few United States ; but few of them received gold.
In the evening Duke sent his Adjutant-General,
Captain Davis, to notify all his men who wished to
go west of the Mississippi River to report at 11
o'clock on the following day. At the appointed
time all the men reported, but Duke refused to take
those who were without arms, and taking only those
who were armed, left the others to shift for them-
selves. They heaped curses on Duke, and with
heavy hearts went to Washoe, Georgia, where they
surrendered to General Wilson, together with the
brigades of Ferguson and Vaughan. The command

of General Debrell escorted Jeff. Davis to Vienna

Valley, on the west bank of the Savannah River,
about 20 miles from Washington, when the grand
dissolution took place on the 9th. At this point
Benjamin, Breckinridge, Burnett, and several
others took a last farewell of Jeff. Davis and his
family. At the hour named Jeff. Davis and suite
crossed the river, and the other portion of the Go-
vernment galloped off to Washington, their pocket-
handkerchiefs in mourning. The command was
apprised of the fact that they were now left to fol-
low the bent of their own inclinations. Benjamin
and Breckinridge, with their friends, no doubt
reached the west bank of the Mississippi."
The New York papers are almost exclusively oc-
cupied
with reports of the trials of the persons
alleged to be implicated in the assassination conspi-
racies. A despatch to the Tribune of the 20th
says :—...

"The court_ "Washington, Friday, May 19.
mom where the conspirators are being tried
was crowded to-days and the proceedings were of great in-
terest. Most of the te '
the latter part of the afternoon bore upon Payne, though in
zor us Dr. Mudd and Atzerott were
somewhat involved.
son of the Secretary,
gave his testimony with considernewraabli, emotion, detailing the
fearful scene of the attempted murder of his father with a
faltering voice, which affected the Court
theft and the assembly.
He thought the prisoner Payneman, but could not
swear positively to his identity. The manacles
off Payne's wrists, under the direction o
fwere taken
Major-General
Hartranft, and the coats and hats which ho wore in his
as-
sault on the Sewards were put on him, that he might be r
cognised. The coats were of light grey material, and the hat:
soft felt. The prisoner seemed to enjoy the freedom of his
arms keenly. His fingers taper and his hands are finely
shaped, soft and white as a woman's. When identified he
would wrinkle his brow and bite his nails nervously. The
nurse and soldier, Robinson, who saved Mr. Seward's life,
were present,and his recognition of the prisoner was instant
and complete. ' Nobody could forget that face,' he said,
' though he looks less fierce and more natural.' The negro boy
who attended the door on that night also identified him with
at degree of terror which was quite amusing. `Yes, that's
the
' That's
n;that's him, I know him.' At which Payne smiled.
him,' added the witness, 'don't you see he knows
me?' At which Payne la
n W laughed and the court joined. The
testimony of Captain
Particularly
gra p_ erm erskirtch, a German, was also 1
graphic and edifying. He testified to having 1

found the photographs of Jeff. Davis, Lee, and others, in
albums at Mrs. Surratt's house, and a photograph of
Wilkes Booth hidden in the back of a little family picture.
Hereupon the lawyer for Mrs. Surratt tried to prove that
such likenesses were to be found in the houses of loyal per-
sons. After whispering to his client he asked, ' Did you
not find photographs of Union generals there ?' To which
the reply was, 'No, sir, none ; there was one of M'Clellan.'
Counsel (indignant)--' Well, air, was not he a Union
general ?" I don't exactly know ; I believe he was em-
ployed on our side.' Again this witness said of Mrs. Surratt
when arrested, she requested permission to kneel down and
pray. 'Ah!' exclaimed the counsel, 'then she knelt down
and prayed, did she ?' Answer—' She knelt down ; don't
know whether she prayed or not.' Considerable additional
evidence has been disclosed to the Judge Advocate General
which will prolong the trial well into next week. Davis
will probably reach Fortress Munroe by Sunday. The Go-
vernment has definitely determined to arraign and try
Jefferson Davis before a civil tribunal—probably before a
jury in Baltimore, with Chief Justice Chase to preside."

The Herald of the 20th has the following article
in reference to the trial :
" In the mass of testimony against the conspirators pre-
sented to the Washington court our readers may have
noticed a great deal which is technically illegal, that is to
say, which would not be regarded as admissible under the
rules of practice in our civil courts. For instance, what John
Surrat said is not legal evidence, since Surrat is neither on
trial nor in custody. What one prisoner said about another
is not legal evidence, unless the other prisoner were present
at the time, or unless the statement referred to the general
scope and object of a previously proven conspiracy. But
the military court at Washington is not limited by the rules
of evidence insisted upon bylawyers. The court is engaged
in the double task of trying assassins and investigating a
conspiracy. It combines the duties of an examination as to
suspected persons and of a trial of the persons under ar-
rest. Great latitude is,:therefore, given to the witnesses, so
that the whole matter, unrestricted by the limitations of
civil courts, may be clearly placed before the public. In
this view the admission of valuable, though technically il-
legal, testimony is not indefensible. But if we adhere to
the strictest rules of evidence, and cast every doubtful word
aside, sufficient legal testimony has already been elicited to
prove the organisation of a conspiracy to capture or kill
President Lincoln, and to show the guilt of all the pri-
soners at the bar. It seems that some kind of an attempt
was made to carry out the conspiracy a few days after the
4th March. Booth said in New York that ho could easily
have killed the President on inauguration day, as he stood
very near him ; but for some reason or other, probably be-
cause no means of escape were yet provided, he did not
want to do the bloody deed at that time. Of the subsequent
attempt we have but few particulars, but we know that
Booth, Surratt, and Atzerott were engaged in it; that Mrs
Surratt knew of it, since she cried while her son was away
that Arnold was privy to it by his own confession ; that
the scheme, whatever it was, dismally failed, and that the
three assassins came back to Mrs. Surratt's in a great rage,
disappointed, vexed, an disheartened. After that Mrs. Sur-
ratt appears to have lent them her brains, for they sadly
lacked brains before. Then the scheme which proved
partly successful was arranged. Booth was assigned to
kill the President ; Atzerott to kill the Vice-President ;
Payne to kill Secretary Seward ; O'Laughlin to kill Grant ;
another man, probably Surratt, to kill Secretary Stanton ;
Spangler to look after the private box in the theatre ; Mrs.
Surratt to see that the carbines were ready at Lloyd's ; Dr.
Mudd to point out the road and furnish refreshments, and
Harrold to assist Booth and make himself generally useful.
Had not Booth been tripped by the American flag and
broken his leg his escape would have been pretty certain ;
but this, like all the rest of the conspiracy, except the Pre-
sident's murder, fell through completely. The evidence
connecting Jeff. Davis and the Canada rebels with the con-
spiracy is morally very strong. We can judge from the
endorsement which Davis gave to plots to burn our cities
and throw trains off the track whether his soul would have
revolted from the crime of assassination. We can under-
stand from the evidence before us why Surratt went to
Richmond and Booth to Canada. It was to obtain advice
and directions in regard to the conspiracy. We think that
when the time of the first attempt is more definitely settled
by witnesses, it will be more apparent that suggestions from
Jeff. Davis revived the drooping spirits of Surratt, Booth,
and Atzerott, and transformed them from kidnappers to
murderers. Surratt declared after his first failure that his
prospects were ruined. Booth was terribly agitated. Atze-
rott was also excited. Arnold, according to his own story,
withdrew from the plot. What was it that gave these men
new courage ? It was Jeff. Davis's advice, and Jeff. Davis's
gold. They would never have repeated their attempt had
they not been urged on by those at Richmond. Booth him-
self declared to Chester, the actor, that he had abandoned

the idea of capturing the President. Surratt, who was
foremost in the first attempt, got out of the way when the
second attempt was made ; or, if ho was at the theatre, as
one witness swears, he took a very subordinate part in the
assassination drama., leaving the principal work to his
associates, We hold that if it had not been for the incen-
tives from Richmond the conspiracy would have broken
down of itself, and the principal actors of it would have re-
tired in disgust. But it is evident that Jeff. Davis had de-
termined that President Lincoln should be put out of the
way, and he clung to his purpose tenaciously. As in the
case of M'Cullock's scheme to burn our cities, so in the case
of the assassination he had discovered a ' plan for over-
coming the difficulty heretofore experienced.' With this
plan, and the strong-minded Mrs. Surratt to arrange its
details, the death of President Lincoln was accomplished."
Governor Brown, of Georgia, reached Washington
on the 18th, and was consigned to the old Capitol
Prison.

The grand review of the armies had been ordered
for the 23d and 24th of May. Instead of the parade
on Manassas Plain, as originally suggested, the
troops were to pass through the principal streets of
Washington, and in front of the White House, from
the steps of which they were to be reviewed by
President Johnson and General Grant. They would
then return by a circuitous route to their encamp-
ment at Alexandria.

Secretary Seward visited the State Department
on the 19th for the first time since his accident.
A general order had been issued from the War
Department at Washington as follows

" All the forces of the enemy east of the Mississippi river
having been duly surrendered by the proper commanding
officers to the armies of the United States, underagreements
of parol and disbandment, and there being no authorised
troops of the enemy east of the Mississippi river, it is or-
dered that from and after the Ist day of June, 1865, any and
all persons found in arms against the United States, or who
may commit acts of hostility against it east of the Missis-
sippi river, will be regarded as guerillas, and punished
with death. The strict enforcement and execution of this
order is especially enjoined upon the commanding officers
of all the United States forces within the territorial limits
to which it applies."

According to another order of the War Depart-
ment the Adjutant-General had been directed to
commence mustering honourably out of service all
general field and staff officers who are unemployed,
or whose service is no longer needed.
"Brigadier-General Seward, son of Secretary Seward,
had tendered the resignation of his commission. It had
been accepted, to take effect on the Ist of June. The Secre-
tary of War, in a letter accepting the resignation, compli-
ments him very highly, and expresses his regret that per-
sonal considerations should necessitate his retirement from
the military seavice."

A despatch of the 19th from Washington says :
" President Johnson has removed Gen. Banks from com-
mand in Louisiana, and appointed Gen. Canby in his place.
This change is based upon the report of Gen. William F.
(Baldy) Smith and Mr. J. T. Brady, who were appointed
by Mr. Lincoln to investigate the management of affairs
under the administration of Generals Butler and Banks in
Louisiana. The report of these commissioners was made
to the President and Cabinet on Wednesday and Thursday,
and resulted in the order for the removal of Banks to-day.
The order restricts Gon. Canby's duties to purely military
affairs, leaving the civil governor (Mr. Wells) full control
over civil affairs, the military commander of the depart-
ment to interfere only upon the requisition of the governor.
By this order Dr. Kennedy, who was summarily displaced
by Gen. Banks, is restored to the position of Mayor of New
Orleans."