Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-09-22
Mr.. Davis at Charlotte.

ne writer OF lhlS was StanUlng Wllnln
ten feet Of Mr. Davis when he received
the dispatch, and never Will he forget the
awful solemnily Of The occasion, and the
noble grandeur and dignity of Mr.. Da-
vs's appearance. Ii was in the town of
Charlotte. North Carolina; General Lee S
army had surrendered. JUhnston's army
was enIIrely dSorganIzed, all was coniu-
son, dread, uncertainty and gloom. Mr..
DaHs loomed up more proudly than he
had ever before appeared 10 me; for he
alone Of all that vast crowd, seemed 10
retain the majesty and self possession OF
his character, and 10 rise with the emer-
gencirs Of tha, dreadful hour. Riding in.
10 town al the head OF a small cavalry es-
cort, he dismounted opposite 10 The house
of this Lewis r. Bates. who had sent
Mr., Davis special invitation to be his
guesl-promp,ed, no doubt, by the desire
to collect testimony in private conversa'
llon, tina, he nigh, use hereafter TO ad.
vantages; instead of soliciting it as an
honor, that he might transmit to his pos
leri'y.
Dismounting from his horse, he pro-
ceeded 10 enter the house ot Mr.. Bates,
and was met at the steps by Colonel Wm.
Johnson, a promIncn, cillzen OF Char
Iote. and President Of the Charlotte and
Columbia Railroad, who said "Mr. Pres
ldent in behalf Of the citizens Of Char
Iolte, give YOU a cordial welcome 10 the
hos pitsllies Of our town." Mr. Davis,
who was dressed in a plain suit Of gray,
and wore low-crowned white felt hat,
nearly covered with Grape, bowed low and
gracefully, saying as he did so, Il thank
you. sir." The large crowd, consisting
almost entirely of soldiers, with fearful
eyes and overlooking hearts, said, with
deep earnesmess. "speak to Us" "let US
hear from YOU" He turned with his
kind bpnignan,, dignied look, TO the
crowd and said
My friends, thank you for this evi-
denre Of your affection. II had come
as ihe bearer Of glad sidings, if had come
TO announce success al the head Of trl.
umphant army, this is nothing more than
ouId have expected, bat coming as |
DO, to tell you of very great disaster; com
ing as do, to tell you that our natIonl af-
fairs have reached very low point OF
depression; coming, | may say, a refu.
gee from the capital of the country, this
demonstration of your love fills ME with
feelings 100 deep for utterance." Oh,
my God ne felt ii all This has been
war Of the people for The people, and !
have been simply their executive; and if
they desre to continue the slIuggl lie, | am
sull eady and willing TO devote myself
to their cause. True. General Lees ar.
my has surrendered, but the men are still
alive, the cause is not yet dead; and only
show by your Determination and foriiiude
that you are willing to suffer yet longer,
and we may still hope for success. In
reviewing my administration Of ,he past
four years am conscious of having com.
United errors, and very grave ones; but
III all that have done. in all that have
tried 10 do, can lay my hand upon my
heart and appeal to God hat have had
but one purpose to serve, but one mis-
sion to fulfill, the preservation OF the true
principles of constitutional freedom, which
are as dear 10 me TO day as they were
tour years ago. have nothing 10 aba,e
or take back; if they were ri ght then, they
are right now, and no misfortune to our
arms can change right into wrong. Again
| thank you"
These were the last words Of Jefferson
Davis 10 his vanquished and scattered
people, and few among that vast audience
who will not remember them. God
knows they sunk deep into my heart, and
can never feel again what then felt,
when heard my noble chieflsin bid US
wha, iel, was his las! adier. Many Of
Us could no longer retain our sobs.
lie bowed. and was about to turn to go
inlO the house, when a little boy from
The telegraph office handed him a dis
patch. He opened it calmly, and read il
IN silence, and folding It up and returning
it TO ,he envelope, handed i. 10 Colonel
William Johnson, remarking as he did
so, "This contains very astounding intel
Iigence." The crowd, whose anxiety
could no longer be restrained. cried out,
Read it read " and Colonel John
son, in his deep, slow and solemn tone,
cad il aloud.
Some thoughlless persons shouted, and
Nr. Davis looked in such earnest reproot,
ha, instantly every voice was hushed as
hough they were ashamed of having bro
zen the solemnily of the scene by such
ndIscreet joy. The writer then shook
nands with Mr.. Davis. who asked him
'bOut his family, and other questions OF
hat KIND, " hich be was IN The habit OF