Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-08-25
REluINLSCENCESO or THE La TIE
GENERAL l. BRECKENRIDGE

HEhiNioCfNtfS OF THE Id IE
GENERAL BRECKENRIDGE
When tho news Of the evacuation oI
Richmond and the capitulalion of the
remnant OF Lees army at Appomat
tox Court House, reached General
Disadvantages headquartcrs,it was dc.
termined in council Of war at which
General Joseph Il. Johnston presided,
that any further resistance TO the over.
whclming forces Of the Federal armies
would be a useless eifnsion of blood on
the part Of the Confederates, who
were already circumvented by the en-.
emy, and suffering for food. 1t was
at this period, about the middle OF
April, 1866, that General Breckenridge,
after pcrilous ride of over thous.
and miles on horseback, cvaded the
Federal cavalry.
In his flight through North Carroll
ma, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, he at
last succeeded in reaching the mouth
of st. Johns River, where he was
Joined by Colonel Wilson of the Flori-
da cavalry, ]. Taylor Wood, ex-com-
mander of the Confederate privateer
Tallahassee, and Captain O'Toole, all
Of whom, together with his body SER
want, negro boy, volunteered 10 ac-
company him TO Cuba. Securing n
small boat of only one ton burthen,
and about eighteen feet in length-the
only means of transportation at their
command-thesc voluntary exiles
bravely launched their little craft on
the treachcrous waters of the Gulf OF
Mexico. After eight days of adven-
ture and ndalternate calm andstorm during
which their supply Of water and pro-
visions gave out, they were at length
hailed Off Salt Key, on the northwest
coast of Cuba, by brig bound from
Carbenas to New York.
Passing themselves off as fishermen
from Florida, they procured some sup
plies and proceeded on their way, and
on the llth of June, 1865, the party
reached the port OF Cardenas, in the
island OF Cuba, without nautical in
strument to guide them overthe track
less waters in that frail fishing boat.
The party was Hospitality received by
the Spanish Governor Of the place
Colonel BardajD to whom General
breckenridge presented his sword and
the arms OF the party. These were
Immediately returned, and the hospi-
talites of the city rendered them. The
party remained two days at Cardenas,
during which dinner and serenade
were given TO General Breckenridge
by the few American sympathizers re-
siding at the place. A special train
was placed at their disposal, and, ac-
companied by the writer and guard Of
honor deputized by the Governor the
party proceed to Havana.
When the train reached Regla, on
the opposite side of the bay, large
number of people were at the depot,
anxious to catch glimpse of the fa-
nous general confederate. The ferry
boat that took us across the bay was
never known to carry so many pas
sengers as she did on that occasion.-
The tall, soldierly figure of General
Breckenridge, clad in his battle-worn
uniform of gray, lowered above the
crowd as he stood on the bow of the
boat, gazing at the magnificent spec
tacle presented by the thousand of
ships of all nationalities, among which
were the Confederate ram Stonewall
and other smaller crafts, still floating
the stars and bars. A wealthy Cuban
planter an acquaintance of the writer,
extended most cordial invitation TO
the General to make his headquarters
with him while in Havana. Many
other pressing invitations Of simi-
lar character We're extended, but Gen.
Breckenridge courteously declined TO
accept any demonstrations either pub
licly or privately.
After stopping about week at the
Hotel Cubano he proceeded 10 Mon
treal to visit two of his children, who
were at school there. From there he
went to Europe, and returned TO Ken
lucky in 1867, where he lived unos-
tentatiously until death closed his
nonoraple 1o1s lea; career q, on on ne lIth OF May
scr,bed 9 psla py aGe u,iratnlseu ana pro
nolcv Of Rad;caI;sn ho oam,a amu pa,',sa" pa,
siste1tlv with his hiah sonao o "S' ns Son Ion
or nari;c;nato in nnhI;a asa;r. % " pn;n,. nUn
an alien, as IL were, in his own coun-
try, he felt and felt keenly the wrongs
that have been heaped upon the South