The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-05-25
PARTICULARS OF THE FLIGHT or JEFF.
? 2 ~ rE@a. DAVIS, 70 D.
NASHVILLE, Nav Is

NASHVILLE, May 10.
Paroled rebel officers contribute
some interesting facts concerning the
flight of JEFF. Davis. Gen. Debrell,
who commanded the escort, was en-
gagged in battle near Raleigh, N. c.,
when he received intelligence of Lees
surrender, and at the same time
Wheeler got a dispatch from Alton,
dated Greensboro, n. c., calling for
1000 picked men to escort him and
what remained of his Government, to
Washington, Ga. Gen. Debrell was
accordingly dispatched with the re-
quired force, and, after q march of
three days, reached Greensboro, at
which point he found JEFF. Davis,
with his family, and Judah Benjamin,
Secretary of State; John G. Brock
inridge, Secretary Of War; Senator
Burnett, of Kentucky; j, H. Regain,
Postmaster General; G. A. Henry,
Of Montgomery county, Tennessee,
and other rebel officers, some of whom
had their families. Jeff. Davis and
the rebel officials rode in front, fol-
lowed by ambulances containing the
women and children and the specie,
which was currently reported among
the officers, to amount to 81, 000,0 200.
1t was put in heavy iron kegs and
boxes. The guard of l, 900 men, led
Iby Gen. Debrell, found this regal
team at point about five miles from
Greensboro. They accompanied 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 it was
discussed with all the surmises which
| it naturally excited. The boys were
exceedingly anxious to know the des-
tination of their government. On the
next day, jeff. visited the boys, with
the rebel officials, and made a speech,
Iadverting to the disasters that had
overtaken the Confederacy, but giving
every assurance that they were not
irretrievable, and that all that was
necessaryto ultimate success was con-
hdenee5 in their government, and the
undaunted bravery which had charac-
terized the Confederate army during
It's past career. gz9lss4a
Upon taking up the line of march
they rode in the same order-Jef:.
Davis having by his side, young Col
onel johnson, a son Of Albert S.
johnson, in whom he evidently re-
posed the most implicit confidence
They reached Charlotte, N. C. where
again they camped, and Davis har-
angued the men again, urging con-
fidence in them, and speaking in
glowing words of rebel patriotism.
tie appeared happy and cheerful, took
the. boys by the hands like a plebeiall,
and even visited the pickets and en-
tered into social conversation with
them. He would praise their valor,
and paid them other pretty, but not
substantial, compliments. While at
this point9they were joined by Duke,
Ferguson, and Vaughn, with their
brlgades, which increased the escort
to 5000 men. After the new corners
had mingled with the others, they
soon learned the condition of things,
and they too had their conectures and
surmises. They were suddenly re-
minded that the Government was
slightly indebted to them, and, as the
treasury was near at hand, the ide
of presenting bills naturally suggest
editsef to them. The men would
congregate in groups, and their loud
mutterings BODIED no good to the Gov.
eminent. jeff. found it necessary toll
redouble his offers to conciliate. aa
The men obeyed their marching
orders, and followed JEFF. Davis and
the specie to Abbeyville, where thew
again halted, much fatigued and de- |
morallzed. AT every stopping place
the rebel officials would repair to the
best houses they could find, and take
up quarters. On the Sth, things be-
gan to assume a desperate feature,
and jeff found itpolitic to inspire his
brave boys with more than words
The various commanders were ordered
to send in full reports of their men. /
and all were paid off in gold and sill
yer, 1t was intended to give each
nan s32,r but errors in the reports
caused most Of them to receive less i
None, however, got less than S26. 1t
vas chiefly Mexican dollars. None
got over a United States half eagle
n gold. In the evening Duke sent a
us assistant Adjutant General, Cap q
am Davis, to notify his men who !
g1shed to go west of the Mississippi =.
lver to report at IL o'clock on the
)IlOVlnO morni,1r A++Ba r