Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-25
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
PARTICULARS OF HIS FLIGHT.
NASHVILLE, Friday, May 10, 1865


Just arrived, get full account of jeff.
Davis's movements up to within a short
time of his capture
Gen Debrell, who commanded his es-
cort, was engaged in the battle near Ra-
leigh n. G., when he received intelligence
of the surrender of Lee and at the same
time Wheeler got dispatch from JEFF. Da-
Wis, dated at Greensboro, n. c., calling for
one thousand picked men, to escort him
and what remained of his government to
WashOe, Ga.
Debrell was accordingly dispatched with
the required force, and after march of
three days reached Greensboro, at which
point he found jeff Davis with his family,
Judah p. Benjamin, John c. Breckinridge,
Senator Burnett of Kentucky, J. II Rea-
gan, Postmaster General Gustavus A.
Hurns of Tennessee, and other Rebel Off
cials
AS soon as Gen. Debrell arrived the par
ty prepared to march, and they set sail on
the following day jeff Davis and the
Rebel officials rode in front, followed by
ambuances containing the women and chill
dren and the specie, which was currently
reported among the officers to amount to
eleven millions of dollars. 1t was put up
in heavy iron-bound kegs and boxes and
had a guard of one thousand men led by
Gen Debrell, which followed this train
At point about five miles from Green's
borough they camped. 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
- hn h,.ip
ceedingly anxious to know the destination
of their government
On the following day jeff Davis visited
the boys and made a souT-stirring speech,
adverting to the disasters that had over
taken their beloved Confederacy, but Civ
ing them every assurance that they were
not irrevocably lost-that all that was ne
cessary to ultimate success was confidence
in their Government, and the undaunted
bravery which had characterized the Con
federate Army during its past career
Upon taking up the line of march, they
rode III the same order, jeff. Davis having
by his side young Col. Johnston, son Of
Gen. Albert Sydney j Jobnston, in whom he
evidently reposed the most implicit conf
dence.
They reached Charlotte, \. c. where
they again camped, and Davis harangued
the men again, inspiring confidence in them
and dealing in glowing words of Rebel pa
triotism He appeared happy and cheerful,
took the boys by the hand, and entered in
to cheerful conversation with them He
would praise their valor in the presence OF
the ladies, and call them the faithful thou
sand, the flower of the Confederacy, and
paid other pretty but not substantial com
pliments.
At this point they were joined by Basil
Duke, FERGUSON and Vaugher, with their
brigades, which increased the escort to the
magnificent proportion of 5000 men
After the new comers had mingled with
the others they soon learned the condition
of things, and they too had their surmises.
Like pack Of hungry wolves they were
suddenly reminded that the Government
was slightly indebted to them, and as the
treasure was near at hand the idea of pre-
senting their bills suggested itself to them
The men would cOngregate in groups,
and their low mutterings BODIED no good to
the Government. JEFF. found it necessary
to redouble his efforts to conciliate, but his
elOquence was waited now, The men obey
ed their marching orders aud followed jeff
into South Carolina to Abbeville, where
they again halted, very much fatigued and
demoralized
On the Sth things began to assume a
new desperate feature, and jeff. found it
polite to inspire his brave boys with some
thing more substantial than words. The
treasure was opened, and the division of
Gen. Debrell. with the brigades of Duke,
Ferenson and Vaughn, were formed in line,
and the soldiers were paid off Some of
the men were paid $40, some $2S, and 9TH
ers $50. They were paid in gold and sill
yer, the coin being chiefly Mexican dollars,
with few United States but few of them
received gold
In the evening Duke sent his Adiutant-
General, Capt. Davis, to notify all his men
who wished to go west of the Mississippi
River, to report at II o'clock on the follow
ing day. At the appointed time all the
men reported, but Duke refused to take
those who were without arms, and taking
only those who were armed, and left the
others to shift for themselves.
They heaped curses on Duke, and with
heavy hearts went to Washoe, Ga, where
they surrendered themselves to Gen. Will
son, together with the brigades of Fergu-
son and Vaughn.
The command of Gen. Debrell escorted
JEFF. Davis to Vienna Valley, on the west
bank Of the Savannah River, about 20
miles from Washington, when the grand
dissolution took place on the 9th
At this point Benjamin, Breckenridge,
Burnett and several others took last fare
well of JEFF. Davis and his family At the
hour named JEFF. Davis and suite crossed
the river, and the other portion of the
government gallopcd off to Washington,
tn cir opket-handkerchefs in mourning
The command was apprised of the fact
that they were now left to follow the bent
of their own inclinations. Benjamin and
Breckinridge, with their friends, no doubt
reached the west bank of the Mississippi.
THE REBEL GEN BEN. HILL GIVES Up