Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15
Il raJen, :Davi.. Plantation.

Inc new CrteanS correspondent OF Cne N.
Y. ReraM gives the following interesting
particulars relative to the disposition of JEFF.
Davis plantation $500 -
"Just below Vicksburg is the plantation of
jeff Davis, By the side of that of his brother,
Joe Davis. Before the war these were among
the finest of the plantations on the river but
,.hay have met the fate allotted to other scces-
sion property. When Farragut's feet came
up the river, on the occasion of the first siege
Of Vic.sbarg, landing was made at this
point The sailors from the feet were allow
ed on shore, and despoiled the plan ations of
most Of their beauty. Every thing Of value
was either carried away or destroy ed, and
the plantations presented the appearance OF
having suffered deluge and tornado at the
same time With that forssight which is one
Of his characteristics, MIR. Davis had removed
his negroes to plantation near Edward 5
Station, about half way between Jackson and
Vicksburg. Here they were considered safe,
and would have been so had none of our
troops passed in that direction. The progress
Of events in the siege of Vicksburg, sent Gen.
Grant in the vicinity Of Edwards Station, to
take up his position in the rear Of the town
that the rebels believed impregnab.e. jeff.
Davis negroes wete made free, and passed
forever from the control Of that arch-rebel.-
The man who stands foremost in rebellion
for the protection Of slavery has lost by the
event of the war the very property he wished
to secure. Not only he but thousands of his
fellow rebels have similarly suffered.
"The loss of his slaves is not all. The
commissioners in charge Of the contrabands
on the Mississippi have taken possession of
the Davises plantations and are about estab-
fishing contraband camp The abandoned
and runaway negroes are to be gathered there
previous to distribution, and the plantations
are to be cultivated by their labor. The river
here forms great ben enclosing both the
plantat, ems on peninsula whose neck is less
than half a mile across. Fortifcations will
be thrown up across the neck, and the place
will be securely garrisoned by negro troops.
GuerrilIas will not find it to their interest to
pay visit, especially as it is the design to
establish there station for gunboat to
cover our troops in case of an emergency
The whole property on the peninsula will be
con6scated unless some astute lawyer can be
found who will prove to the satisfaction Of a
court ofclaims that JEFF. Davis is not disloyal
The fate OF these estates is good instance ol
the results of the war. Three years ago they
were secure, and had there been no political
or other great quarrels there was no real
reason to suppose they would ever be in jeop.
ardy. Now their chief owner is at the head
of pseudo government, fast crumbling in
pieces. His possessions have fallen to the
government against which he rebelled, and
are made the site Of colony of freedmen o
the very. race he was 50 ANXIOUS to faster
more securely. Instead Of. perpetuating sla
very he has caused blow to be dealt thai
will shake it to, its foundations, if it does mo-
blot it out completely. Though unwilling K
acknowledge it, the rebel President hal
doubtless long ago seen the error Of hi
course and if SO permitted would bow hi.
head ID humble repentance. 80 ...i }