Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-08-03
The Destruction of Jefferson Davis
 Property.


 Property.
 Correspondence of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
 MERIDIAN, LAuDERDALR COUNTY, Mss
 June I6, 1867 {
 The present communication should have Been made long since, but for the fact that while Ex-president Davis was held prisoner, and his fate involved in uncertainty, could sec no proprie- ty in making it, nor hope for any good to result from it. He being released, however, take tho earliest possible opportunity of making it. address it to ah Ohio editor because it concerns a citizen of Ohio, and select the En- quirer, because I know that you do not shrink from publishing the truth on any subject. It is a simple state- ment of facts that I think the world ought to know.
 In the summer of 1863, at the time of the surrender of Vicksburg, I was liv- ing in Hind's county, Mississippi, about six miles west of the city of Jackson. The news of the fall of Vicksburg reached us on Monday morning following the event, and, on the succeeding morning, application was made to me by Mir. Owen B. Cox, near neighbor, to go to his place, and try to protect it, with such of his property as might find on it, as he, for reasons that need not be specified, thought it necessary to leave as refugee.
 In addition to MT. Cox's property, left on the premises, there was con- siderable amount belonging to Presi- dent Davis, consisting of his library Cor part of it), furniture, etc. The trust reposed in me included this property, which, for greater security, had been concealed, or the principal part of it, including his library.
 The Federal army began to arrive on Thursday, from which time, until the afternoon of Saturday, I Succeeded in keeping my trust concealed from them, when the negro came up who had as sisted in concealing it. lie iinmedi- ately pointed out to the soldiers it's place of concealment, and for two hours scene of destruction followed, such as none but those who lived in the South during the war can conceive of, and few even here ever witness the equal of those two hours. At the end of that time, an order came from Gen. Ewing, of Ohio, "To desist from the destruction of Davis property" and . strong guard, by his order, was placed around it for protUvtfon. This guard continued until Monday moring, when the general came in person bringing with him q wagon of the largest size, drawn by six very large mules. l was immediately put under guard, whether by the Generals order CT not I could not learn, and do not know to this day. While under guard, the General aHd his men loaded the wagon full and it was driven of. was not permitted to sec what he took, but I saw he took a heavy load for six large mules. When I was released I had some con- versetion with Che General, ill which he said that what he had taken was "a prize, captured from the rebel Presi- dent" replied that different men, viewing the same action from different stmd-points, might, perhaps, 'call it by different names, for example--you, a General in the United States Army, call this capturing; I, a citizen of the South, Southern Rights man, and a friend to President Davis, call it steal ing"
 This he resented, and appeared some- what indignant that I should even think he would steal. replied that it was only an honest difference of opih- ion as to the name of an action.
 The General soon left, giving the soldiers a carte blanche on all he left after loading lis wagon.
 Now, MT. Editor, the object of il. $ communication is to sugges. 70 Gener- al Ewing, as hissa-toned gentleman, tand anow him to be such, because he said SOL that as our old Ex-presi- dent has been released from confine- mcnt, and is now in rather indigent circumstaces, in fact, poor compared with former times, and as the General has had a good long loan of the goods he sborrowed, captared'-or whatever name the act may be called, that he now return them. If General Ewing is the high-toned gentleman he told me he was in lS63, he will certainly do it.
 No man living has finer sense of personal honor. or is capable of more highly appreciAting real scntlemanly action than Jefferson Davis, and hence the suggestion, as he would, without doubt, be unfeignedly thankful for the return of his captured library And beyond doubt, Mrs. Davis would be equally thankful for her furniture carpets, curtains, mirrors, &c., that the General captured at the saine time and in the same way.
 ROBERT MELVIN.
 REFORMATION " lady writes from Gosport, Clark county, Alabama, as follows. &s.s
 II wish to find out the fate of much loved brother, of whom have heard