Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-10-18
jeff. Davis.

In a newspaper called the South
erm Home Journal, Mr.. E. A. Pollard
describes the last council of war held
in South Carolina, while Davis was
in retreat, and only a few days after
the issue of his proclamation of April |
5, in which he urged the South to an
unending conflict. This proclama-
tion was issued before the surrender
of Lees army, Gan event. says Mr..
Pollard, (which appeared to deter
mine the last hopes Of the Southern
people, to convince them that further
prosecution Of the war was useless,
and even criminal in fruitless con-
sumption of human life" aaiob .Hol1
Mr.. Pollard adds: :1id95sH7 .sg i9ilfG
ANot so with Mr.. Davis. b He was
remarkable for sanguine tempera-
ment he had that disposition, at once
imperious and weak, which. demand
ing that all things must be as it wishes
balieyes them so; and what the world
though the swollen boasts of a desper-
ate and failing leader, were really the
sincere illusions of proud man who
never indeed, fully realized the ex-
tremity of his case until "the iron en-
tered his SOUL in the easements of
Fortress Monroe. In his strangely
deliberate and leisurely retreat thro'
Carolinas, he had not appeared for a
moment to realize that he was fugi-
tive, and he looked with complacency
upon the disordered fragments of the
army that had gathered on the line of
his flight, and that pursued it with a
vague and uncertain design. , ga
At officer who was constantly in
his company in what might be thought
days of anguish and despair to the
fallen chief, testifes AIR. Davis
was apparently untouched by anyaof
the decentralization which prevailed
he was atfable, dignifed, and looked
the very personification, of high and
undaunted courage" He vet persist
ed that the cause was not lost, al
though Lee had surrendered, although
Johnson mad turled his banners with
out a battle, and although all that
was visible of the great armies that
had stood from Richmond to Augusta
on the dominant lines OF the wal, were
the less than one thousand soldiers,
fragments of brigadeS that assembled
around him at Abbeyville, South Car
DINA, when he paused there for a final
council with his generals. l .llus
In the little town of Abbeyville,
Mr.. Davis summoned his officers to
council; he was determined to try
their resolution, and anxious to ascer-
tain the spirit OF their men. The
only tuil generals who yet attended
him were Bragg, his military adviser
and breckenridge, lately Secretary OF
War. There were five brigade COM
manders present at the conference.
To this small but important audience
Mr.. Davis addressed himself with all
the powers Of his wonderful and sub
tie intellect. The old, imperious look
was yet in his worn face; the eye,
transiXed with neuralgia pain, with
its deep recess OF light, shone steady
and defiant the thin visage was illu.
minated by the active mind and shone
with animated discourse. He spoke
in the even, silvery tones Of his accuse
toned eloquence. Il 1900 aamoHs
He declared that the country was
only suffering from violent surprises
and All exaggerated alarm; Its reso'
luton would soon be erect again
the present condition was that of pan.
ic, and patriotism would soon be az.
reused when it heard the command
ing and reassuring tones OF authority.
He insisted that the war was not hope.
less. The armies could be reassem.
bled, and there would be new calls
for enistments and new incentives to
the country's service. He said, that
even the few hundred men he yet
counted around him were enough to
prolong the war until the panic had
passed away, and then be necleus
for thousands more. He urged bis
: officers to accept his views, and ami
mate 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. li 291
His auditors were silent. Al
length they spoke, one by one, each
; brigade commander stating the con
: dition and temper of his men, and de
claring his views of the situation. Ii
, was PLAIN, unanimous judgement
the war could not succeed, and should
not be prolonged; they could not ask
their men to struggle against a fate
which was inevitable. and forfeit al
hopes of restoration to their homes
and friends; but they would insist
that their honor was involved i'll Sc
curing the escape of Mr.. Davis. ano
t for the accomplishment of this Object
| they would risk battle and put of
t submission to the last moment Oh
"No, nor exclaimed the unhappy
chief, in passionate accents. 81 viii
!. hear Of no plan which has for its oh
5 lject only my safety Then speaking
: slowly and bitterly, with a deep and
) fearful change. settling on his counte
nance, he said: 4. "All hope is gone
[ Alas, that | should see the day wher
all the friends of the South are pre-
!, pared to consent to her degradation.
: He falsered and sat down in silence
| every one in the room respected hin
too much to reply. b8a5s1aoo g3di bi
Presently, without even "a gesture
of courteous retirement, without any
acknowledgment of the company
whatever, he rose to leave the room
land If uae ohSarvad that he had lost