The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-01-15
An Interesting Renaissance.


by Hon. S. R. Mallory, who was 8 mem,
Der of Mr. Davis Cabinet, publishes the
following interesting account of the last
official interview between Mr.. Davis and
Gems. Beauregard and Johnston:
The views of Generals Johnston and
Beauregard Of the military situation OF the
Confederacy on The 18th Of April have
already been referred to. At Greensboro
Johnston fully and frankly expressed to
member of the Cabinet, an old personal
friend his conviction that all further re-
sistance to the Federal forces East OF tho
Mississippi would but augment the suffer
ing and desolation of the country, with
out the slightest prospect of achieving
independence, sustaining his opinions by
reference to the relative positions, power
and resources of the belligerents. NV hat,
in your Judgment" said his friend, ''do
the best interests of our people require of
the Governments"
1--WE must stop fighting at once, said
he land secure peace upon the best terms
we can obtain" "Can we secure terms 2
"I think we can" he replied; Eat all
events, we should make the effort at once,
for we are at the end of the row" "Gen.
Johnston" said his friend, 'your position
as chief of this army and as the military.
commander Of this department demands
from you frank statement Of your views
to the President. You believe that our
cause is hopeless, and that further resist
kn nt f.np m a n ri
would not only be useless, but unjustitia-
bIc and that we should lay down our
arms and secure the best terms we can
get for our people will, if You please,
state all this TO the President, but think
you had better do SO ut once, and explc-
itly." "Gcn. Bcaurcgard and have been
rcoucsted to meet the President this even
ing" he replied, land will give him my
opinions very explicitly. You will not
find me rcticent upon them"
At eight o'clock that evening the Cabi-
net, with the exception Of Mr.. Trenholm,
whose illness prevented his attendance,
joined the President at his room. 1t was
a small apartment, some twelve by sixteen
feet, containing bed, a few chairs, and u
table, with writing materials, on the Sec
ond floor of the small dwelling Of Mrs.
John Taylor Wood; and a few minutes
after eight the two Generals entered.
The uniform habit OF President Davis,
in Cabinet meetings, was to consume
some little time in general conversation
before entering upon the business OF the
occasion, not unfrequcntly Introducing
some anecdotc or interesting episode,
generally some "reminiscences OF the early
life of himself or others in the army, the
Mexican war. or his Washington expert
ences; and his manner of rclatil.g < and
his application to them were 1T all times
very happy and pleasing.
Few men seized more readily upon the
sprightly aspects of any transaction, or
turned them to better account; and his
powers of mimcry, whenever he condo
scended to exercise them, were irresistible.
Upon this occasion, at q time when the
cause of the Contedcracy WAS hopeless,
when it's soldiers We're throwing away
their arms and flying to their homes, when
its Government, stripped OF nea: Y all
power, could not hope TO exist beyond Il
few days more and when the enemy,
more powerful and cxultant than ever,
was advancing upon all sides, true TO his
habit, he introduced several subjects Of
conversation, unconnccted with the con-
ditto Of the country, and discussed them
as il some pleasant ordinary meeting.
Aft. briet time thus spent, turning to
General Johnston, he said, in his usual
quiet, grave way, when entering upon
matters of business, 81 have requested
you and General Bnanregard, General
Johnston, TO Join us this evening, that we
might have the benefit of your views
upon the situation Of the country. Oh
course we feel The magnitude OF the mo-
ment. Our late disasters are terrible :
but do not think we should regard them
as fatal. l think we can whip the enemy
yet if our people will turn out. We must
look at matters calmly, however, and see
what is left for us to do. Whatever can
be done must be done ut once. We have
not a day to lose' A pause cnsucd,
General Johnston not seeming to deem
himself expected to'spcak, when the Pres
ident said, I'VE should like to hear your
views, General Johnston" Upon this
the General, without preface or introduc-
tion-his words translating the express
sion which his face had worn since he en-
tered the room-said, in his terse, concise,
demonstratve way, as if seeking to con-
dense thoughts that were crowdinS for
uttcrancc, MY views are, sir, that our
people are tired of the war, feel them
selves whipped, and will not fight Our
country is overrun, its military resources
greatly diminished, while the enemy's
military power and resources were never
greater, and may be Increased to any de-
airabe extent. We cannot place another
large army in the field and, cut off us
we are from foreign intercourse, l do not
see how we could maintain it in fighting
condition if we had it. My men are dai.
ly deserting in large numbers, and are