Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-21
JEFF. DAVIS, CAPTURE.

In 4
Ing Al eh'cd Pape ~ 'he WRE
ID pRFttm m.'s't e. tas..In5 - Hi- Pe :
t-ss...s Eff ct- Rssurned 10 HIM
WAIT ansy wer-.
A paragraph has appeared in the
mornirg journals to the effect that Ex
President Davis had returned to him
from the War Department his private
papers, etc., taken from MN when cap
lured by the Federal authorities The
correspondent Of the Naw York Herald
has the following to say OF TIE affair;
wAsRI GroS. September Il
It is a part Of the history of tne rebel
lion that its representative leader, Jefer
son Davis, was captured. At the same
time his personal effects were also cap
tured and forwarded to the War Depart
ment, BY General James e Wilson. now
of New York city. The box containing
them was taken in personal charge by
Secretary Stanton, who was very fond,
for the time being, of holding aud ex
hibiting to visitors the petticoat thai
Davis wore when captured. Eventually
the b, was passed over to the charge OF
A liatant General Townsend, he being,
by usage, the custodian of all the odd,
and ends accommodating 10 the depart.
ment. The box was strapped and sealed
bv the Adjatant General, and for nine
years had the quiet Of sarcophagus.
Elk PRESIDENT DAVIS AFTER DOCUMENTS.
A few weeks ago Mr. Davis had his
memory jostled By business traRsao
80 Ii hos
certain private papers stowed away in
the cetacomh OF the War Department
Through a Southern friend he commu-
nica,ed with the Secretary OF War, and
asked if there was any Improperly in
requesting the return OF such unimpor-
taut documents and letsers IS would
only De Of service to him in bulness To-
laiions. General Belknap thought there
would be none, and
THE URE OF THE coyFEDERAcY
was brought forth, the seal broken and
the contents examined. The letters
and private papers we're ordered to be
returned a ring several boxes Of
cigars brought by blockade runners, and
DOT having the loyal evidence OF internal
revenue stamps, underwear and linen
shirts, in as good state of preservation
as aRy cloth about The mummies of the
Smithsonian Institute, we're also in
cluded in the category.
At the bottom Of the box we're ex-
humed dreadful emblems of war, pair
OF revolvers and earbine. Should
these, too, be returned2
COUNCIL OF WAR
was held at which General Townsend,
General Vincent and the Secretary OF
War were present 1t was solem1ly re.
solved taat at the present critical janc.
ture in the affairs of the South it
would be imprudent for the War De.
partment TO furnish arms to the ex.
President OF the deceased Confederacy
The rusty revolvers might have IN them
elements Of a new rebellion, and wise
craftsmanship dictated that these silent
weapons of death should again be
consigned to the catacombs of the
War Department. where g Democratic
successor Of the present Secretary alone
can wake them to glory. IL can be stated
thai this affair had nothing whatever 70
do with the recent oDtr8ges in the South
ern States. Mr. Davis gets his private
papers, some OF bis friends have been
favored with the due1 up cigars ss sou
veuirs OF the Lost Cause, and All that is
dangerous, the reyoivers and carbiue.
again repose peacefully va the W4r De
plrimeut, for be seal of General Town
send has consigned the box 70 JOS old
position. wrapped about with red tape
aud marked, handle with care.