Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-01-28

What He has Seen and Heard-Proposf.
=. lion to Give up Vrginia-Inciasnt at
Lookout Mountain.
Special dispatch to the n. Y. Tribune.
WAsHINGEoN, Jan. rs, 1864.
That feature of the war, the intelligent
and trustworthy contrabaud, who has dis
appeared from public view for the last few
months, re-appeared in the city this morn.
ing, and his information has been cousid-
cred of SO much importance as to have
occupied many hours of the attention both
OF Gen. Halleck and of the Secretary of
War He is full negro, named Jim Den
nison, otherwise Pembertou, who has been
for nearly twenty years personal body
servant of Jefferson Davis, and is we'll
known.Ss such by the old residents of this
city. He only arrived this morning, and
brings news Of most important charac.
ter, though it all comes in the form of
strong incidents, such as a servant waiting
at table would naturally pick up. or the
domestic menage OF Mr.. Davis, his pic
lures are very full. But frst to give the
points which appear of great public in.
terest.
lie ssys that Jefferson Davis, in private
conversation, is unreserved 10 urging the
abandonment of Virginia, as line Of de-.
fence no longer tenable. That be has
heard Mr.. Davis, in conversation with
confidential members of the so.calle6
Government declare frequently that Vir-
gina had been used for all it was worth
that 1t bad proved shield of immense
value, in Tending of the devastations of
war from the rice and cotton States
Wnich were the natural heart and body
pohtlS Of the new government. Steps
a AT
texts OF their labor being needed on the
public works to send all the yaluabIe shIs.
bodied negroes aud breeding negro women
from Richmond along the railroad To
Lynchourg, aud also south into Georgia.
which Mr.. Davis declares to be the next
oase OF defensive operations. But Gen
Lee, whom Jim describes as looking yery
old, with his hair now snow. white. il
peremptorily opposed to the abandonment
OF Virginia, and declares that VIRGINIA
soldiers will lay down their arms, if their
state be given mp TO the Yankee despot.
ism. Jim does not give these points as
tney are here stated. The following being
ABOUT fair specimen of his style of in
formation:
The cupsla root of the Presidents house
leaks badly, he says, so that during the
recent rain'sterm all the tubs from the
kitchen had to be taken up to save the
ceiling OF the lower floors. Mrs. Davis.
woo Often says that if they had know how
Il was going, they never would have left
Washington with her consent, was calling
Aassa DaVis's attention TO the state of the
root, and asked him to send 10 the Quar-
termaster's Department and have IL rs1air.
ed. Aassa Davis, who has grown yerv
petulant and irritable of late, replied. al
reckon we will be out of this before anotb.
or rain storm. Don't fuss yourself and fret
me about these trifles."
The talk is not about going to Columbia
8. O., but to some city in Georgia. lin
heard gentlemen ask Mr.. Davis at tbe
table, where Alexander Stephens was VIM
has not attended Congress this session
aud who is said not 70 have visited M
DaVis's house or Office for over a yenr--
Davis replied, that he had heard that
stephens had gone to Europe, but had NOT
Ihought It worth while TO inuuire vbot
had become of him. ''s
jim accompanied Davis in his recent
tour around.the Confederaey, aud deserihes
the following scene as having occurred N
tne summit of Lookout Mountain. Loci
ing down one bright day from the loft
eminsnee commanding q clear view into
tour states and very distant view into a
num- Davis saw the Yankees almost NJ
meath bis feet, across the valley. yyorkino,
nke beavers on their fortifestions. al
have them nov" said be, sin inst tbs tr,n
l sat for them" To which Lient Gsn
femoertonI who was sitting on borasbssE
beside him, replied, "Ar. Davis. Won AZ
OommAnder.in. Chief, and you are here.