The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-01

his pr1nclpai OIncerS, INC ouendiiuoaia Suou,u
be ordered to cruise OF tho coast OF Florida
to take the distinguished fugitives on board
who had selected that coast for their exit from
the Confederacy, and their extricI alton from
its failing fortunes. These orders had been
sent to the Confederate cruiser many
DAYS before Lees lines were broken. 1t
was calculated that tn" Presidents par
ty might make an easy and deliberate escape
in tue way agreed upon, as the communl-
cations with the Florida coast were then
scarcely doubtful, and once on the Shenan-
doah-a fast sailer, the most valuable rem
nant of the Confederate nayy-they might
soon obtain all asylum on foreign shore.
Other preparations were mado for the Hight:
all the papers OF the government were revised
and marked for destruction, abandonment or
preservation, according 10 their contents; and
even Mr.. Davis private baggage was put in
order for transportation. OF course the public
knew nothing of these preparations, and 1t did
not even suspect them. MIR. Daniel, OF the
Richmond Examiner, had repeatedly said, with
bitterness, that whatever the event OF the war,
whatever its misfortune, MIR. DAVIS would be
certain to provide for his personal salety'
above that of all others; and indeed, this jour-
nal had suggested that, for this mean reason,
the President had invariably blanched at any
retaliation upon the enemy involving the pen
atty OF death. But many people resented this
thought OF the Examiner; they persisted in be-
leviug that President Davis would stand with
the army when the Confederate flag was low
cred, and accept common lot with them and
the people; and they called to mind his hero c
words, spoken to the troops in Virginia in
1861, at the beginning Of the war: "Wnen tue
last line OF bayoncts is leyeled will be with
you"
After having safely bestowed his important
papers, and by this measure consulted to
some degree his personal safety, 1t might be
supposed that Mr.. Davis would bo prepared TO
leave Richmond with son,o appearance OF self
possession and dignity. But alter all the pro-
visions for his flight, the signal for it was so
spdlen aui-it--.aEc-annouu Z. hlsi-oc1tl- a.
Lees dread telegram, whr1vn NC sat IN SS'
Paul's Church, with the sunshine OF calm
and beautiful day pulsing through the WIN, .,
dows-as to have some effect OF surprise at
least, breaking down his equanlml:y, and re,
ducinc him to that condition OF fus!cr aud
tremlilousncss with which the weak man re-
ceiycs the news Of misfortune, no matter how
long he has vaguely expected it, and practiced
against the moment of its announcement.
BE EoBs TIE TREASURY.
He nervously prepared at his house his prl-
vate baggage, assisted by Mrs. Davis, and lie
never ventured in the streets until, under cover
of the night, he got unObserved on the train
that was to convey hini from richmond. be
did not forget the gold in the Treasury; that,
amounting to less than 10000, 1t had been
proposed some days before, in Congress, to
distribute as largesses to the discontented SOL
licrs; but Mr.. Davis had insisted upon reserv,
Inc it for eXlgencies, and it was now secured
in hls baggage. lie dld not 1orse1 ms sMoau'
that, o costly present from some OF ms All
mirers in England had beon sent to tho Hch'
mond armory foy somu repairs; it was aban-
doned to the fire there. The last seen OF this
relic of the Southern Colfederacy was q twist
ed end gnarled stem of stoel, on private exhl-
bition in lager-baer saloon in hlchmond
garnished with certificate that 1t Was what
remained OF jeff. Davis sword, anu that inc
cprio osity might be purchased for two hundred
doIlacs. Whether the retailer OF lager has yet
disposed OF his treasure we do not know.
RE wEEps AT ADBEyILLE.
Mr. Davis reached Ab5eville Oh the tfst OF
Nav. 50 far he had been accompanied by tie
fragments of five brigades, amounting III num-
ber TO less t;len one thousand men, and reor-
ganized into two battalIons, ut the lro:lt anu
in rear OF the long train which sisnailcd has
light aud fooi!shly oostructcd his euort ~ es-
care. There were already painu; cvii2ncaS
OF tic dcmoralZ lion OF the escort, and the
stc:y tJd almost at every milo, by straEglcrs
from JoiEst MS command, w:s not calculated
to inspire them. At Abbevll.c, Mr. Davis rc-
solved upon council of war. Ii was compos-
ed Of the live brigade commanders, and Gen
eral Braxton Bragg (or the year past Inc
mitted to this last sconc Of the deliberations
of the lost cause.
In the council, aIr. Davis spoke with moro
than his accustomed fa;Ilit; and earheSGness,
inspired by hops, but without voiubillty OF eH-
travasance. He made statcnicnt OF surpass-
ing piausibility. 1hc South, he declared, was
suffering from panic; 1t yet had resources 10
continue tie war; it WAS tor those who remain
ed with arms in their hands TO give an exam
plo to reanimate others; such an act OF deYo-
tion, besides being the most sublime thing IN
history, might yet save the country, and erect
again its declining revolution. 1T IS but ne
cessary," he said, "that the brave. men yet
with me should renew thclr determination 10
continue the war; trer will be nucleus loI
rapid reinforcementS, and will raise tho signal
OF termination for the whole country
No one OF the council answered him at
length; the replies OF the com nanG,ers were
almost sunk to whispers. The scene was PC
coming painful, AMI it was At last agreed that
each in his turn should announce his decision.
Each answered slowly reluctantly, ID tlic neg
atve. The only words added were that, though
they considered The war hopeless, thcJ Wonlt,
not disband their men until they had guarded
the President 10 q place OF SAFETY.
NO" exclaimed sIr. Davis, pGssionatcly,
''I will listen 10 no proposition TUr my aaietT.
I appeal to you for The cause Of the cauEtCv.'
Again ha urged tic commanders to acccp- .l.s
views.
"We we're SILENT" sa,s General Basil Duke,
one of the council, ''lor VIC could no. agree
with him. AMI we respected him too much tc
reny"
Sir. Davis yet stool erect, raised his LANDS
to his head, IS II in pain, and suddenly ex-
claimed: ''!lli hope is gone j. added h@u;hti-
", s.I sec that the friends OF the South ar;
prepared to consent t. her degra1atloa;,, ana
then sweeping The company with u proud nj
despairing glance, lie attempted to pass from
the room.
BaL the blow was too much for his Tee tsSb'G lsg, or
and disappointment, and the mist of uusled
tears was in his eyes-:ears which pride s:trug,-
gled to keep back. The sentiment that al
waa lost went through his heart like the slow
and measured thrust Of a sword; as, the
wound sunk INTO it, it left him speceaiess
loose and tottering, he would havc. fallen TO
the floor had not General Breckinrldgc ended
the scene by Leading him fa!;criag from the
room. In dead aid oppressive silence the
deserted leader, the tlllea Chief, secured dc,
cent retreat for aSoaies which tears only could
relieve.