Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-14
THE CONFEDERATE GOLD.
MhntRernme MIt.

To the EditoKof the Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer
You publish this morning an extract
from the Richmond Dispatch in refer.
ence to the Confederate gold left by
President Davis at Washington, Wilkes
county, Georgia. The extract referred
to has this sentence, which requires an
answer from me:
a | learn from an old army acquain-
tance of highest respectabiity, who was
one of the party formed here to guard
it while being transported to Augusta,
that the returning soldiers~ere prevented
from helping themselves by being told
that the money was to be used for the
benefit Of our prisoners at the North;
that it reached Augusta in safety; that
guards were then paid twenty-five dol
lars each for their services and dis
charged; and 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.
As | am the officer with whom that
gold was intrusted, and as am asle to
prove to the curious who desire to in
spect the vouchers that the gold was ap-
DrOUIldltu Ill tAuCb lCCOIQhuCG WIN
orders to the utmost farthing, / think it
is due to myself that this much further
should be added to what the writer in
the Dispatch terms historic interes: in
connection with the last days of the
Confederacy. u GN9
President Davis, General Breckin-
ridge, Regan of Texas, and others of
the cabinet arrived in Washington with
the gold; General Bragg was alse there,
and large body of cavalry who had
guarded the gold to Washington, and
who received part of their pay in gold.
| had orders to have one hundred and
eighty thousand rations at different
points, with which to supply the return
ing soldiers from j. K. Johnston's army.
The Commissary General, j. M. st.
Johns, then in Washington, had no
funds. | called to see the President,
but could not see him; he was exhaust
ed from fatigue.
| then had an interview with General
Tombs, and told him of the necessity of
having funds to supply the troops. The
gold had already started, President Da-
Wis having left previously. General
Toombs had an interview with General
Breckenridge; the result was that l re-
ceived an order for $40, ,000-$l0, 900 for
the quartermasters department, and
$50, 900 for the commissary department.
This was among the last orders ever
issued by the Confederate Government,
and was sent by me to General Toombs
about a year since, as historic relic, in
which he had acted generous part in
behalf of our soldiers, and is now, pre-
sumo, in his possession. | followed the
train and overlook it that night, and re-
ceived sixteen boxes of bullion, esti-
mated to contain $4,000. / returned
with this to Washington, and paid on the
order of W. F. Alexander, Major and
assistant to the Quartermaster General,
three boxes of bullion, estimated at $l0,-
900, to be opened and weighed fore
two commissioned officers. HI
These boxes were delivered TO R. R.
Wood, Major and Quartermaster at
Washington, Wilkes county. on May 5,
1865. | employed four young men Of the
Washington artillery to guard the gold
that night, and accompany me with it to
AuguSlu. Inc RudTu WAS EcuuCIcu ue-
cessary, because there we're q great
many struggling soldiers and cavalry
prowling about Washington. The next
morning / started for Barnett, where l
would have to wait an hour or two for
the Augusta train. A number Of caval-
rymen and returning soldiers were on
the same train with us, and when We
arrived at Barnett made what was then
called several charges upon the gold.
This. with the guard, and the kind assist
auce of Colonel Sanford, now of Mont
Oomery, and private Shepherd, now Of
Texas, were successfully resisted.
When ] reached Augusta, addressed
: letter TO Gen. L. McLaws, command
NO and, with his concurrence, en-
assd iato correspondence with
General Mollyneux, who received
he funds in my hands, thirteen
,oxes weighing &3i ,g65, and he amply
,rovided for the returning troops from
he limited States Commissary Depart
neni. 80 that the fund, 81, ,963 in excess
If what | receipted for, was every dollar
appropriated as it was intcnded by the
,rder. The excess occurred from the
act that the bullion when received |
,ould not be weighed, but had to be !
AIKEN BY estimate. Il was delivered by |
ne TO a Captain Adams, of Massachu-
ettF. Regiment Provost Marshal OF Au-
,usta, and certified by Mr.. Hatch, the