The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-07-15
SHERMAN AND DAVIS--sHERmAN, MS
FALSE ESTIMATE OF DAVIs's
CHARACTRR

Gen. Bragg was in the city several days
during the past week. He referred, in the
course of q conversation Friday, to the re-
cent assertion of Gen. Sherman that he bad
suspected Mr.. Jefferson Davis of completely
with the assassins of Abraham Lincoln.
Gen. Bragg said that he had seen Mr.. Davis
tested in cases of this sort, and while two
efforts were made by hired assassins in 1864
to destroy Mr.. Davis's life, he never mani
tested the least signs of resentful feeling.
1t was in June, 1864, if We mistake not.
that Mr.. Davis, when riding, as was his
habit, each afternoon, along the defenses OF
Richmond, was fred at, the bullets passing
very near his person. Once, afterwards,
he was shot at when in the outskirts of
SichmOnd. But we propose to settletths
question finally. Dahlgren's raid will not
soon be forgotten. We publish a paper
furnished by Gen. Bragg. 1t is photo
graphed copy of Col. Dahlgren's address
to his followers. The address, as written
and signed by him, was memorized and
spoken or read to his followers. They were
disguised as spies, and were captured as
spies inside of the Confederate lines. They
came, as stated, to murder Mr.. Davis.
When they were captured and this paper
was found on the person of this man
Dahlgren, Mr.. Davis's Cabinet and
his military staff concurred in declaring
that the prisoners should be executed in
accordance with the laws of war. Presi-
dent Davis, after reading the paper and
finding that he especially was designed to
be assassinated by Dahlgren, peremptorily
forbade other treatment than that accorded
to prisoners of war. Benjamin, the willy
Hebrew, it was who caused these papers,
taker from Dahlgren's person, to be photo
graphed and copies given to several gentle
men in Ricfmond-Gen. Bragg preserved
this, given verbatim as follows:
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, !
CAVALRY CORPS, 1864.
Officers and Men - You have been Sc
lected from brigades and regiments as a
picked command, to attempt a desperate
undertaking--an undertaking which if sue
| cessful will write your names on the hearts
of your countFymen in letters that can never
be erased, and which will cause the prayers
of your fellow soldiers now confined in
loathsome prisons to follow you and yours
wherever you may go.
We hope to release the prisoners from
Belle Island first, and having seen them
fairly started we will cross the James river
into Richmond, destroying the bridges after
us and exhorting the released prisoners to
destroy and burn the hateful city and do
| Ill oh al Nd l.
traitorous crew to escape. The prisoners
must render great assistance as you can
not leave your ranks too far or become
too much scattered or you will be lost. Do
not allow any personal gain to lead you off
which would only bring you to an igno-.
minious death at the hand of citizens.
Keep well together and obey orders strictly
and all will be well, but on no account
scatter too far, for in union there is
strength. With strict obedience to orders
and fearlessness in the execution, you will
| be sure to succeed.
We will join the main force on the other
side of the city, Or perhaps meet them in
side.
Many of you may fall, but if there is any
man here not willing to sacrifice his life in
such great and glorious undertaking, or
who does not feel capable of meeting the
enemy IN such desperate hight as shall FOL
.ow, let him step out and he may go home
to the arms of his sweetheart and read of
| the braves who swept through the city of
Richmond.
We want no man who cannot feel sure of
success in such holy cause.
We will have desperate fight. but stand
up to it when it does come and all will be
we'll.
Ask the blessing of the Almighty, and do
not fear the enemy. U. DAHLGREN,
| Col. Com'd.