Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-22
TELEGRAPHlO NEWS.
JEFF. DAvis's CAPTURE.

HIS Movements up to that Time-He Makes
SouI SURFING Speeches, and Shakes
Hands with 'the Bsys''-Jeff. Makes a
virtue OF Necessity, and Pays his M en- off.
NASHVILLE, May l9.-1 through Confederate
off GERS who have just arrived, / get a full ac-
count OF jeff. Davis's movements up to within
short time OF his capture.
General Dibbrell, who commanded his escort
was emf gagged in the battle near Raleigh, North
Carolina, when he received intelligence OF the
surrender OF Lee; and at the same time Wheeler
got dispatch from JEFF. Davis, dated at
GREENSBORO, North Carolina, calling for one
thousand picked men, 10 escort him and what
remained Of his Government to Washoe,
Dibbrell was accordingly dispatched with
the required force, and after march of three
days reached Greensboro, at which point he
Benjamin, John @. Breckinridge, Senator Bur-
nett, of Kentucky; J. H Reagan, Postmaster
General; Gustavus A. Hurns, OF Tennessee,
and other rebel Off cials.
As soon as Gen. Dbbrell arrived, the party
prepared to march, and they set sail on the
following day. jeff Davis and the rebel OFF,
cials rode in front, followed by ambulances
containing the women and children and the
specie, which was currently reported among
the officers 10 amount to eleven millions of
dollars. 1t was put up in heavy iron bound
kegs and boxes, and had guard of LOCO
men, led by Gen. Dribbrell, which followed
this train.
At point about five miles from Greensboro
they encamped, JEFF Davis and family taking
up their quarters in house in the vicinity.
Here the rank and file first learned the object
of their mission, and 1t was discussed with all
the 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 soul stirring speech, ad vert
ing to the disaster that had overtaken their be.
loved Confederacy, but giving them every as
surance that they were not irrevocably lost
that all that was necessary to ultimate success
was confidence in their government, and the
nndannto0 bravery character
the Confederate army during its past care er.
Upon taking up the line Of march, they rode
side young Col. Johnston, son of Gen. Albert
Sidney Johnston, in whom he evidently re.
posed the most implicit confidence.
They reached Charlotte, N. O., where they
again, inspiring confidence in them, and deal
ing in glowing words Of rebel patriotism. He
appeared happy and cheerful, took the boys by
the hand, and entered into cheerful con versa
ton with them. He would praise their yaior
In the presence Of the ladies, and call them the
faithful thousand, the flower of the Confeder.
acy, and paid other pretty but not substantial
compliments.
AT this point they were joined by Basil Duke,
Ferguson and Vaughan, with their brigades,
which increased the escort to the magnificent
After the new comers had mingled with the
others they soon learned the condition of things,
Of hungry wolves they were suddenly remind.
ed that the government was slightly indebted
to them, and as the treasure was near at hand,
the ldea Of presenting their bills suggested itself
to them. The men would congregate in groups,
and their low mutterings 0oded no good to the
government. JEFF. found 1t necessary to re-
double his efforts to conciliate, but his elo-
quence was wasted now. The men obeyed
their marching orders, and followed JEFF.
into South Carolina, to Able Vile, where they
again halted, very much fatigued and demor-
allied.
On the eth things began to assume new
desperate feature, and jeff. found it polite to
inspire his brave boys with something more
substantial than words. The treasure was
then opened; and the division Of General Dib.
Vaughan, were formed in line, and the soldiers
were paid off. Some Of the men were paid $50,
sorae &2S, and others 800. They 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 Gen.
eral, Captain Davis, to notify all his men who
report at II 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 oniv those who were armed,
he left the others to shift for themselves. They
heaped curses on Duke, and with heavy hearts
went to Washoe, Georgia, where they surren-
with the brigades Of Ferguson and Vaughan.
The command OF General Dibbreli escorted
JEFF. Davis to Vienna valley, on the west bank
OF the Savannah river, about twenty miles from
Washington, when the grand dissolution took
place on the 9th.
At this point Benjamin, Breckinridge, Bur-
nett and several others, took last fare we'll of
jeff. Davis and his family. At the hour named
JEFF. Davis and suite crossed the river, and the
other portion Of the government galioped OFF to
Washington, their pocket-handkerohiefs in
mourning. The command was apprised OF the
fact that they were now left to follow the bent
Breckinridge, with their friends, no doubt
reached the west bank Of the Mississippi.