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

COnfou6rRtc EfeSalCmt from Richmond
--FrepnratIons tor and Inciients OF
tho Journey--Demeanor OF NH Davis
MT AbbeviIlc- How me WAS Treated by
Alexander II. stephens.
In the january number Of Packard's Month
ly, Mr.. Edward a. Pollard hos 'strue'' sketch
of The fight and capture Of Jefferson Davis.
The article is marked by the we'll known bit
terness and prejudice OF it's author towards
the Confederate President, ana its statements
may therefore be received with many grams OF
allowance. The following extracts will give
ot,I readers q fair idea of its style ana temper :
PREPARATIONS FOR FLIaHT.
While Grant and Lee thundered before Pe-
teYsburg, Jsffsrson Davis fed from Richmond.
without o word OF public explanation; with
none Of that benediction or encouragement
which d great leader is expected to impart to
his people in such q catastrophe -escaping
with the ignominy OF ali obscure. mean fugi-
tlye,T If not positively in the character of de-
sciter. Some explanation has been offered Of
his singular neglect onSthis occasion of those
whom, in his day of power, he was accustom-
ed, after the affectaton OF u fond and paternal
ruler, to cali s'his people," in the statement
that tho government at Richmond had no ex-
lectahon of Lees disaster, and was thus pain
fully hurried in it's evacuation OF the capital.
The e'statement is untrue, and tho excuse is
unavaiiing. The writer we'll knows, what has
not heretofore been impaired to public curiosi-
~, that Jefferson Davis had, many weeks be-
fore Lees catastrophe, made the most careful
and exacting preparations for his escape. The
matter had been fully consulted with his cabi-
net in profound secresy; and it had been agreed
that, to secure the escape Of the President and
his principal officers, the Shenandoah should
be ordered to cruise of the coast OF Florida
to take. the distinguished fugitives OH board.
the Confederacy, and their extrication from
it's failing fortunes. These orders had been
sent to the Confederate cruiser many
days before Lees lines were broken. 1t
was calculated that thu Presidents par
ty might make an easy and deliberate escape
In the way agreed upon, as the communi-
cations with the Florida coast we,e then
scarcely doubtful. and ouce on the Shenan-
nant Of the Confederate navy-they might
soon obtain an asylum on a foreign shore.
Other preparations were made for the flight.
All the papers OF the government were revised
preservation according to their contents; and
even Mr. Davis private baggage was put in
order TOR transportation. or course the public
knew nothing of these preparations, and 1t did
not eyen suspect them. MIR. Daniel OF the
Richmond Examiner had repeatedly said, with
bitterness, that whatever the event OF the war,
whatever it's misfortune, Mr.. Davis would be
certain to provide for bis personal safety,
above that OF all Others; and indeed, this jour-
nal had suggested that, for this mean reason,
the President had invariably blanchedat any
retaliation upon the enemy involving the PEN
atty OF death. But many people resented this
thought OF the Examiner; they persisted in be-
lieving that President Davis would staad with
the army when the Confederate flag was low
cred, and aGcept p common lot With them aud
the people; and they called to mind his hero Q
words, spoken to the troops in Virginia in
1861, at the beginning OF the war: '.When the
Inst, line Of bayonets is levelled will be with
you.n
"A After having safely bestowed his important
tn1
some degree his personal safety, it mig hEbe.
supposed that Mr.. Davis would be prepareA sso
leave Richmond with some sppearace OF self
possession E! and 4 adlgnity B.t.after all the pyo-
stiSisieii ailc; rlsn1ae III, Sa
Lees dread telegram, while he sat in SE.s
Pauls Church. with the sunshine of a calm
and beautiful day pulsing through the win
least, breaking down his equanimity, and re-
ducing him to that condition OF fuster and
tremulousness with which the weak man re-
eceives the news of misfortune, no matter how
against the moment OF it's announcement.
He RoBs THE TREASURY.
He nervousiy prepared at his house his pri-
vate bnggage, assisted by Mrs. Davis, and he
Of the night, he got unobserved on the train
that was to convey him from Richmond. He
did not forget the gold in the Treasury; that,
amounting to less than $4,000, it had been
distribute as largesses to the discontented SOL
dlers; but Mr.. Davis had insisted upon reserv-
ing it for exlgencies, and it was now secured
ia his baggage. He did not forget his sword,
that, costly present from some Of his ad-
mirers in England, had been sent to the Rich.
mond arnory for some repairs; it was aban-
doned to the fire there. The last seen Of this
relic OF the Southern Coafederacy was twist
bition i'll o lager-beer saloon in Richmond
garnlshed with a certificate that it was what
remained Of JEFF Davis sword and that the
curl sity might be purchased for two hundred
dollars. Whether the retailer of lager hos yot
disposed OF his treasure we do not know.
HE wEEPs AT ABBEvILLE
MI. Davis reached Abbeviile on the first of
May. SO fer he had been accompanied by the
fragments OF five brigades, amounting in num-
ganzed into two battalons, at tho front and
IN roar OF the long train which signalled his
flight and foolishly oDstructed his effort at es-
cape. There were. already painful eyi ilences
stocy told almost at every mile, by strag ggIers
from Johnst0n's command, was not calculated
to inspire them. At Abbeyilie, Mr.. Davis re-
solved upon council ofswar. twas compos-
ed Of the Ave brigade commanders, and Gen
eral Braxton Bragg (or the year past the
military adviser" of the Presi1ent) was ad-
mitted to this last scene OF the deliberations
of the lost cause.
In the council, Mr.. Davis spoke with more
than his accustomed ia ,ility and earnestness,
inspired by hope, but without volubility or ex-
travagance. He made q statement of surpass-
ing plausibility. The South, he declared, was
suffering from panic; it yet had resources to
continue the war; it was for those who remain
ed with, arms in their hands to give an exam
PIE to fAnDimate others; such an act Of devo-
ton, besides being the most sublime thing in
history, might yet save the country, and erect
again Its declining revolution. ut is but me-
cesssry," he said, ''that the brave men yet
with me should renew their determination to
continue the war; they will b1 u nucleus FOR
rapid reinforcements. and viii raise the signal
Of reanimation for the whole country '
No one OF the council answered hm at
length; the replies OF the commanders were.
coming painful, and it was at last agreed that
each in his turn should announce his decision,