Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-10-07
lpFFN. DAVIS LAST WAR COUNCIL


1PFFN. DAVIS LAST WAR COUNCIL.
T. A. Pollard describes in Southern news
naner the last council of war held by Jefferson
nsv;s It was held in South Carolina while
Davis was in retreat, and only few days after
the issue of his proclamation of April 5, in
which he urged the South to an unending con-
airt, This proclamation was issued before the
surrender Of Lees army-"an event. says
Mr. Pollard which appeared to determine the
last hopes Of the Southern people, to convince
them hat further prosecution Of the was
useless and even criminal, in irultless con-
sumption of human life. - Mr.. Pollard adds:
"Not 50 with Mr.. Davis. He was remarka
HE for a sanguine temperament he had that
disposilon at once imperiouS and weak, which,
demanding that all things must be as it wishes,
believes them SO; and what the world thought
the swollen boasts OF desperate aud failing
leader we're really the sincere Illusions of q
proud man who never indeed, fully realized
the extremity of his cause until the iron en-
tered the soul in the easement OF Fortress
Monroe. In his strangely deliberate and leis-
ureIy retreat through the Carolinas, he had
not appeared for moment to realize that he
vas fugitive, and he looked with complacency
mon the dsordered fragments of the army
that had gathered on the line of his flight, and
that pursued it with vague and uncl rtain
design. An officer who was constantly in his
company in what might be thought days Of
anguish and desrair to the fallen chief, ,testifes:
Nlr. Davis was apparently untouched by any
Of the decentralization which prevailed-he was
afable digaifed, and looked the very personi-
icaion of high and undaunted courage. Hc
vet persisted that the cause was not lost, al
though Lee had surrendered, although John
ston had furled his banners without battle,
and although al that was visible of the great
armies that had stood from Richmond to Au
gusta, on the dominant lines Of the war, were
less than one thousand soldiers, fragments Of
brigades that assembled around him at Abbe-
vile, S. c., when he paused there Tor a final
council with his Generals.
In the little town OF Abbevile MIR. Davis
summoned his officers to council he was de-
t:rmined to try their resolution, and anxious
to ascertain the spirit of their men. The only
full Generals who yet attended him were Bragg
his military adviser and Breckenridge, late
y Secretary OF War. There were five brigade
commanders present at the conference. 10 his
small but important audience MIR. Davis ad-
dressed himself with all the powers of his Won
dertul and subtle intellect. The old, imperl-
Gus look was yet in his worn face, the eye,
tr4ns6xcd with neuralgia pain, with its deep
recess of light, shone steady and defiant; the
thin vsage was Illuminated by the active mind
and shone with animated discourse. lie spoke
in the even, silvery tones of his accustomed
eloouence. He declared that the country was
only suffering from violent surprises and an ex-
aggeratcd alarm; its resolution would soon be
erect again the present condition was that Of
panic, and patriotism would soon be aroused
wher it heard the commanding and reassuring
tones of authority He insisted that The war
vas not hopeless The armies could be reas-
sembled and there would be new calls for en-
lstments and new incentives to the country's
service. He said that even the few hundred
men he yet counted around him were enough
to proong the war until panic had passed
awav. and they would be nucleus for thou
sands more. He urged his officers to accept
his views, and to animate their men to stand
to the good cause, whose honor they had so
long maintained, and whose last hopes they
now carried on their bayonets.
His auditors were silent. At length they
spoke, one by one, each brigade commander
stating the condition and temper of his men,
and declaring his view of the situation. It was
a plain unanimous Judgment; the war could
not succeed and should not be prolonged they
could not ask their men to struggle against
fate which was inevitable, and forfeit all hopes
Of restoration to their homes and friends but
they would insist that their honor was involved
in securing the escape of Mr.. Davis, and for
the accomplishment Of this object they would
risk battle, and put off submission to the last
moment.
No, mol exclaimed the unhappy chief, in
passionate accents. L will hear of no plan
which has for its object only my safety. Then
speaking slowly and bitterly, with deep and
fearful change settling on his countenance he
said All hope is gone! Alas, that | should
see the day when all the friends OF the South
are prepared to consent to her degradation. =
tie taltered, and sat down in silence; every
one IN the room respected him too much to
reply.
Presently, without even gesture OF courte
GUS retirement, without any noWedgment
OF the company whatever, he rose to leave the
room; and it was observed that he had lost his
erect carriage and defiant port. A weight OF
Years appeared to have fallen on the stricken
sufferer. The eyes were uneasy in the pale,
pnchet face; and so uncertain and totterlng
was his step that General Breckenridge moved
70 bis side, and giving him his arm, supported
him from the room Not a single word was
Spoken
CURE FOR NEURALGIA Common red pep
per pods stepped in brandy or whiskey, and the
mixture applied with the hand to the parts
aHllcted, gives almost instant relet from this
terrible atfictiou Some persons prefer to drink
.ne spirits and apply the ''dry pod, tut this
method is very dangerous Its effects, and does
oot guarantee cure
R1cKsl
- Bril- KSli