The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-02-27
WASHINGTON. GA. February %. 1872

" ASHlNGTON, UA., i eDTuaTy Il, 10 ~.
This beautiful little town, situated at the
terminus Of a branch road which leaves the
Georgia railroad at Barnett, is in the midst
of very fertile cotton-growing region, and
was before the war the abode of great deal
of wealth, as well as Of the intelligence and
refinement which still remain. 1t is the place
of residence Of General Robert Toombs,
Judge Reese the able leader of the Georgia
Senate), Judge Andrews, Commodore Hun
ter, General Dubose, and other men of mark.
1t has historic interest in connection with
the "last days of the Contcderacy.". Here
was held, in room which have seen with
sad interest, the last Cabinet meeting which
President Davis ever callcd-his party having
come across to this point from Abbeyille, S. G..
The details Of the meeting were not made
public, but immediately afterward the presi-
dental party divided-Mr. Davis, accom-
panied by few Of his most intimate friends,
going to Join his family, and the members Of
the Cabinet scattering in various directions.
After Mr.. Davis had left land this is proof
positive that he had nothing to do with the
disposal made of it, some officers of the Quar-
termaster's Department arrived here with a
number Of boxes Of Confederate gold. l
learn from an old army acquaintance OF
highest responsibility, who was one Of the
party formed here to guard it while being
transported to Augusta. that the returned
soldiers were prevented from helping them
selves by being told that the money was to
be used for the benefit Of our prisoners at
the North--tlgtit reached Augusta in safety
that the guard were then paid twenty-five
dollars each for their services and dis
charged-and that while it cannot be proved
exactly what became of the gold, yet it is
certain that our suffering boys in prison
never heard Of it.
This is said bye the oldest inhabitant" to
have been undoubtedly the severest winter
ever experienced in this Latitude. But signs
of spring begin to appear, gardening is
making some progress, and the people are
preparing for an unusually large crop Of cot
ton, and at the same time tor q variety Of
other crops.
saw your account Of the exploits Of "Cap-
tain S. Adams Lee" at Frankfort, Ky. He
has figured very extensively in Georgia and
Alabama, and as have had some hand in
showing up his imposture, 1t may be proper
for me to give some items concerning him.
He il not even "dlstant relative" OF
General r. Z. Lees family, though he gives
his proper name. Two or three years ago
he had situation for short time in The
Dunbar Female Institute, Winchester, Va,
and upon being written to concerning him
General r. Z. Lee said TINT he chad never
heard of him before, and knew of no member
Of the family Of that name" He is, how
ever, las ] learn from letters which have
seen from John 3. Thompson, Esq, and
Colonel John Esten Cook man Of fine
literary talent, wrote good deal some
wars aoo for the E,tfhey,, Liter1r,, Messan.
ger, and published Tin connection with Leigh
Hunt volume of English sonnets.
The rest of his story (as he has told it with
variations at different points that he was an
officer in the United States Navy prior to
1861, and subsequently an officer in the Con.
federate States Navy; that he was wounded
in the arm in the Hampton Roads fight; and
that he lost a part. OF his foot at DreWry's
Bluffs all pure fabrication, proved 70 be
30 by unimpeachable testimony TINT 4 have
seen. He is armed with an accumulation Of
letters, etc., which will not only
/" take in" tho unwary, but even the most