The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-25
LAS HOURS OF THE SOUTHERN
NATION.
The all Of Richm nd and Flight of
President Davis.
(COacludcd.)

COactuded.)
In the meditations of his journey
through North Carolina, the fugitive Presl--
dent, although anxious for his personal
safety, appears TO have conceived the alter
native OF venturing to the Southwest, with
In reach of the forces Of Taylor and Forrest,
in the hope of r~eviving the fortunes OF the
Contederacy within a limited territory. He
suggested the alternative to General Breck-
enrldge, as they travelled together, after the
news of j ohnston 5 surrender, but received
only an evasive reply, the latter not sharing
his hopes, but unwilling to mortify them by
a candid declaration of opinion. Mr.. Davis
was remarkable for a sanguine temperament,
but it was that which we observe in weak
characters, hoping against hope tickle,
haring, extravagant, rather than that prac-
tical energy which renews itself or disaster,
and conuuers fortune. The vision he had
conjured up of a limited Confederacy around
the mouths of the Mississippi might have
looked plausible upon paper, but 1t was ia
tally defective in emitting the moral condi-
ton of the South. The unhappy President
had not yet perceived that he had lost the
faculty of encouraging others, that the
Southern people were In despair, and that
wherever he might go he would find their
countenances averted, their hopes abandon
GU, dUu luCI aiOouy "
submission. But he was to realize very
shortly how morally deserted and practical
ly helpless he was. His first discovery of it
was at Abbeville, South Carolina, where
occurred one of the most pathetic scenes In
history, over which the tenderness and
charity of some of the actors have been dis
posed to draw the curtain, committing its
sorrows to secrecy.
Mr.. Davis reached Abbeville on the 1st
of May. So far he haG been accompanied
by the fragments of five brigades, amount
ing in number to less than one thousand
men, and reorganized into two battalions, at
the front and in the rear of the long train
which signaled his flight and foolishly Oh
structed his effort at escape. There were
already painful evidences of generalization
of the escort, and the story told almost at
every mile, by ~stragglers from Johnston s
| command, was not calculated to inspire
them. At Abbeville, Mr.. Davis resolved
upoo a council of war. It was composed
of the five brigade commanders, and Gen
eral Braxton Bragg for The year past the
military adviser Of the President was ad-
mitted to the last scene OF the deliberations
OF the lost cause.
t'In the council Mr.. Davis spoke with
more than his accustomed facility anC
earnestness, inspired by hope, but without
SoluOlllly vi oSo4Ac ~ ~oNA
statement of surprising plausibiiity. Tht
South, he declared, was suffering from
panic; it yet had resources to continue th'
war it was for those who renamed Will
arms in their hands to give an example tt
reanimate others such an act Of devotion
beside being the most sublime thing in his
tory, might yet save the country, and cree
again its declining resolution.
1T is but necessary he said, that tn
brave men yet with me should renew thel
determination to continue the war the
will be a nucleus for rapid reinforcement
and will raise the signal OF termination TO
the whole country No one OF the councl
answered him at length the replies OF tn
commanders were almost sunk to whispers
the scene was becoming painful, and 1t wa
at last agreed that each in his turn shout
announce his decision. Each answere
slowly, reluctantly, In the negative. LII
only words added were that, though the
considered the war hopeless, they woul
not disband their men until they had guarc
ed the President to a place of safety. No
exclaimed Mr. Davis, passlonately, vi
listen now to no proposition Tor my safet1
| appeal to you for the cause OF the coul
try. Again he urged the commanders
accept his views.
June. one VI III SOtiiOi1 ~ w -
agree with him, and we respected HIM t.
much to reply
"Mr. Davis yet stood erect, raised h
hands to his head, as if in pain, and su
denly exclaiming, All hope is gone! adds
haughtily, 4 see that the friends OF II
South are prepared to consent to her degr
dation; ; and then, sweeping the compal
with a proud and despairing glance, he a
, tempted to pass from the re, II. But q
blow was too much for his feeble organic
/, ton. His face was white With anger al
| disappointment, and the mist OF unsn'
To- tears was in his eyes-tears which pri'
!. struggled to keep back. The sentiment tn
! all was lost went through his heart like t
slow and measured thrust of a sword;
: the wound sunk into it it left him speec
less loose aud tottering, he wo1ld ha
> fallen to the floor, had not General brec
> enridge ended the scene by leading him t
tering from the room. In a dead ami Q
! nressive silence the deserted leader, the t