The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-01-07
The Johnson Sherman Negotiation.
BY HON. S. r. MALLORY.

that no further military stand could be made,
and that Mr. Davis should secure his safety by
leaving the country in the event of the failure OF
these negotiations; and it was deemed expedient
that he should place himself further South, to
be ready to cross the Mississippi and get into
Bahamas or Cuba.
But it was no less evident that Mr. Davis was
extremely reluctant to quit the country at all,
and that he would make no effort to leave it so
long as he could find an organized body of troops,
however small, in the field. He shrunk from
the idea of abandoning any body of men who
might still be found willing to strike for the
cause, and gave little attention to the question
of his personal safety.
In leaving Greensboro, Mr. Reagan Mr. Breck-
ngridge and Mr. Mallory rode with Mr. Davis
and his three aids on horseback; and Mr. Tren-
holm, Mr. George Davis and Mr. Benjamin, COM
prising the six members of the Cabinet, were In
ambulanccs with General Cooper and other Off
GERS. The roads were bad from recent rains and
long use Of them without repairs Their route
lay through jamestown, High Point and Lex
ngton, and at the latter place, which they
reached at o'clock, p. NJ, they staid all night
MIR Davis and portion of his Cabinet stop
ping at the house of Mr. Barringer, where they
were most cordially and Hospitality received, and
where Mrs Barringer, a cultivated and refined
lady, eyinced all the warmth and kindness of
tr1e daughter Of the South.
The party left Lexington during the forenoon
of the next day, rode slowly to keep with the
wagons and ambuances, crossed the head waters
| of lhe Pedee, and reached Salisbury that even
ing Salisbury had been occupied by the enemy,
and much of the town, including the depot and
railroad buildings, had been destroyed. Mr.
Davis went to the house of private friend, where
he remained all night, and Oh the following after
noon the party again started South, and stayed
that night at the little town of Concord. On
the following day they rode into Charlotte. Here
the Confederate Government had several public
establishments, many local officers; and arrange
mets had been made for the accommodation OF
NJ, Davis and Cabinet at private houses, and
they were received and treated with the utmost
kindness and courtesy.
Upon all sides, however, the proofs of the ex-
pbded cause were evident.
In the course of an hour after reaching
Charlotte, and before the party had separated tor
their several quarters, dispatch was received
from Mr. Breckenridge (who had, with Mr. Rea-
gan, returned to Johnston's camp at Greensboro
by Mr. Davis announcing the assassination OF
Mr. Lincoln. To friend who met him few
minutes after he had received it, and who ex-
pressed his incredulity as to its truthfulness,
Mr. Davis replied that true it sounded like a
canard, but in such condition of public affairs
as the country then presented, crime ct this
kind might be perpetrated. His friend remarked
that the news was very disastrous for the South
for such an event would substitute for the known
humanity and benevoence of Mr. Lincoln a feel
ing of vindctiveness in his successor and in Con
gress. and that an attempt would doubtless be
made to connect the Government or the people
of the South with the assassination. To this
| Mr. Davis replied, sadly: [ certainly have nt
special regard for Mr. Lincoln; but there are 8
great many men of whose end | would much
rather hear than his fear it will be disastrous
to our people, and l regret it deeply"
The party remained at Charlotte about one
week. While here Mr. Davis received the pro
positions agreed upon between Johnston ano
Sherman for peace, submitted them to his Cab
met and called upon its members present to1
written opinions upon them These were calico
for at about 10 o'clock on the evening when Tho
terms were received, and the Cabinet met him al
10 next morning. All were present except MI
Breckenridge, who had approved them, and wh'
was then with Johnston, and Mr. Trenholm, wh'
was sick at private house in Charlotte.
No comparison OF interchange OF opinions hat
been had, and their views were nearly ldentlca
as to the condition of the country, the characte
of the terms, and the policy of accepting them
l and upon calling upon Mr. Trenholm he concur
red in the views Of his colleagues. They wer
thus returned to Johnston approved.
Three days afterwards Mr. Davis received
dispatch from Johnston announcing that tn
Government of the United States dsapproye'
Sherman's course, and that no other terms thai
; those offered by Grant to Lee could be given
/ Johnston accepted these terms, within tn
r time agreed upon and surrendered his army
No other course now seemed open to Mr. Davi
but to leave the country; and his immediate ad
yisers urged him to do SO with the utmost promI
titude. Troops began to come into Charlotte
> however escaping from Johnstons surrender
and there was much talk amongst them of cross
+ ing the Mississippi and continuing the wal
4 Portions of Hamptons, Debrelfs Dukes an
e Ferg1son's commands of cavalry were hourl
!, coming in They seemed determined to &c
: across the river and fight it out, and whereve
+ they encountered Mr. Davis they cheered an
h sought to encourage him. It was evident ths
l. he was greatly affected by the constancy an
Il spirit of these men, and that, regardless OF h
own safety. his thoughts dwet upon the poss
bility of gathering together body of troops
make head against the foe and to arouse the PEI
pie to arms.
n His friends. however, saw the urgent exp
dicncy of getting further South as rapidly
possible, and after about a weeks stay at Cha
h lotte they left with am escort OF some two or thr'
hundred cavalry and two days afterwards reache
Yorkvile, S. C., travelling slowly and not at a
st ike men escaping from the country
;, In pursuing this route the party met near ii
y Catawba river gentleman whose plantation al
homestead lay about half a mile from its bank
and who had come out to meet Mr. Davis and
" offer him the hospitality of his house.
: His dwelling, beautifully situated and su