The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1865-06-01

T1aETlSoli, IIpaVo, kocCTelaTy W, MI. La
Wis, Col fWma Preston Johnston, and
the brigades above mentioned, arrived
atAbbcville, s. c., on the 27th of April,
Without any particular incident having
occurred along the route.
When Mr.. Davis arrived at Abbeville,
which was on the 9th of April, he dis
covered that there was universal disaf-
lection among his escort, and they were
determined to make no resistance in the
event they were attacked, no matter
how great or small the attacking force
might,be. rt,
But little or no effort was made to in.
duce them to follow the fortunes of their
chosen and once revered leader farther.
They all chose to remain behind, except
six noble Kentuckians, of Dukes brig.
ade, who. manfully remained by him.
The following are the names of the
soldiers who refused to leave Mr.. Davis
They all belonged to the I'd Kentucky
cavalry: Lieut.. Baker, privates San
ders, Smith, Heath, Wilbert and Hark.
ness.
Mr.. Davis had, several days before
leaving Charlotte, sent off his family,
consisting Of his amiable lady and four
sweet little children. They were ac.
companied by, his wife's sister, Miss
Howell, of New Orleans, and her broth,
er, Midshipman Howell, G., s. Navy,
Lieut. Hathaway C.S. Army, and per.
haps one or two other individuals.
Mr.. Davis arrived at Washington,
Ga, on the 4th inst, and much to his
chagrin, found that only eight of his
escort came up with him; aud to stifl
farther aggravate the case, unpleasant
rumors reached him of the probabilities
Of an attack upon his family, who were
one day yet in advance by guerillas.
Passing through Washington, he took
the Sandersville road, almost due South,
but for certain reasons left the village to
the right.
At Irwin's Cross Roads, in Washing.
ton County, band of desperadoes made
demonstration upon the carriages and
ambulances containing Mr.. Davis ami.
ly, and again at Dublin, but after hear
ing who the distinguished occupants
were, aud being assured they couid not
rob the party without first shedding
| blood, they desisted and drew of. At
Dublin they amounted to at least thirty
men, and consisted of deserters from both
the Federal and Confederate armies,
banded together for the purpose of high.
way robbery.
Mr.. Davis had, at midnight, on the 9Th
overtaken and rejoined his family, six
miles North of Dublin, and just before
the desperadoes organized there intend,
ed to make the attack. In Justice to
them, however, it may be said that they,
Villains though they were upon learning
who the party was, divided in opinion,
and finally determined to respect the
distinguished statesman the South had
honored as its chosen leader curing the
war. He passed them unmolested.
Leaving Dublin, or the camp in the
woods near that miserable little village
on the morning of the 7th, the whole
party travelled leisurely along until they
reached the Ocmulgee river at Abbeville
Wilcox County, on the 9th. But be
fore reaching there, Mr.. Davis had agar
separated from his family, retaining only
a few persons with him. His lad,
crossed before him, but coming up Of
the same night he was recognized by tn,
ferryman, who made haste to tell hi
pursuers few hours afterwards, whom
he set across the stream.
! AT Abbeville the party learned from
citizens that the Federal cavalry wer,
at Hawkinsville. and at,midnight lef
their encampment and took the irwin
vile road. Arriving within one mile o
that placeat a late hour in the after
noon, they went into camp, from whicl
they were destined to leave as prisoners
] When Gen. Wilson received order
from Washington, to take measures /,
arrest ii possible, Mr.. Davis, Col. Prit
chard, Of the 4th Michigan, in command
of one hundred and fifty men Of his owl
regiment, and perhaps fly Of the d
Winconsin yyf,ra dienotchad,tn ,tba ~