Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-18
THE EVENING STAR.
e.rrr- JEFF. DAVIS. Z
Further Particulars Of his Late flight
His Dispatches 10 Kirby Smith.

rrtarrespoudeno OF the New York Herald. !
CHEsTRR, s. c., May 12-Affer railroad
ride Of two hundred and elenteen miles, from
lotts. 10 this place, reached here two hours
and half sgo just in time to find despatch
goiDg oyer the wires announcing the capture
OF Jen Davis and others Of the party who
Mrs. Davis preceded her husband until he
crossed the North Carolina line, when she re-
Joined him.
was almost surrounded by a detachment OF
Stoneman's cavalry, who might easily nave
caught him had they known who ne vs..
After leaving Danvilie, Davis intendeu So, aug
irving at Johnston's headquarters, ana learn,
ing Of the terms of the convention oetweeh
Sherman and Johnston, and noPlns .naI ne
would be allowed TO leave tne country, ne
altered his mind and renamed at Charlotte.
II was frequently remarked that i. was dan !.
Serous for MIN TO do SO bat ne invariably re-
oiled that he had too many friends, and knew
she country too we'll, TO be caught by any of
the forces IN the Yankee army.
yeff Davis rem il ed al Charlotte until tv- I've
O'Clock on the day that the armistice expired.
At eleven O'Clock on that day his horse, hand
some bloeded bay, was brought to the door OF
che private house in which he was stopping
At twelve, having learned that the terms of
the aforesaid convention were rejected, he
mounted his horse, and, accompanied by nu-
merous friends and officials, rode of. At the
same time two thousand cavalry, under COM
with him, acting in the capacity of an escort.
That night Davis reached the vicinity Of
Lexington, where he encamped. The next
morning he took breakfast with James Madi-
son Leach, ex- member Of the United States
Congress, md one OF the body who styled
Themselves Confederate States Congress. Mr..
Leach Was reported to be strongly in favor OF
reunion.
In passing through Lexington, Davis was
introduced by Judge Freeman, OF Mississippi,
who was travelling with him, to Dr. Dusen-
1T
sited Davis IN to take a drink of apple brandy,
and he did SO. A brief con versation en- sued
The Doctor remarked: "Mr. Davis, our cause
ls lost"
Davis replied: "Our cause may be lost, bat
the principle for which we are contending will
presentitself at another time in another shape"
between the great agricultural interest Of the
south and the manufacturing and commercial
interests Of the North and Northwest
The conversation continuing. DIR. Dnsenbury
again observed: The masses Of the people of
the South were not prepared tor self-govern-
ment-"
To that he replied by saying "urfortunately
During the whole conversation Davis looked
careworn, fatigued and dispirited. He com.
pf.ined Of suffering severely from neuralgia
that one hundred and fifty Thousand dollars
you'd cover all the specie they had with
them.
When Davis reached Lexington he sent two
dispatches in cipher, to Winnsboro', 5. e. II
is reported that one of the dispatches was in.
tended to be got to Kirby Smith, ordering him
not TO surrender. The other related to arrange.
men:s for the escape Of DAVIS and party from
the coast OF Florida. Mr.. Davis said that IL
Kirby Smith would hold out they could carry
on the war for a long time yet; that they would
be reinforced by most OF the officers and men
who escaped unparoled from Lees and John
ston's armies; that they could form an alliance
offensive and defensive with Macmillan, and
perhaps, besides sustaining themselves 10
Texas, be able 70 soon roll back the tide of war
20 this side OF the Mississippi again and the
! ines OF Virginia. Davis spoke as though he
was confident of reaching KIRBY Smiths head.
quarters in q short time.