The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-25

coin In the woods and IN unlrequenteu
places. With the dlsbandment OF the
troops Mr.. Benjamin suggested a separa
ton of the Cabinet officers from the Presl-
| dent. making an excuse that 40 large = party
would advertise their fight and increase
! the chances of capture. Mr.. Davis was left
70 make his way to Georgia, Postmaster
General Reagan continuing to Journey with
him, and General Breckenridge only to a
point where he thought it convenient TO
leave for Florida. There were also IN the
party two or three Of his staff officers and a
few struggling soldiers. who still Kept up
some show Of an escort. Mrs. DAVIS had
already preceded her husband to Georgia,
and he now travelled slowly, and almost
desolately, on horseback, having arranged
that she should await him IN the town Of
Washington.
From this place the now hunted Presi-
dent was soon driven again on his Journey
by news of the occupation of Augusta. tie
had also received news of the assassination
of President Lincoln, and that event, he de
clared. confirmed his resolution not to ieave
the country. He inferred from the news
papers that he was accused as an accompllce
in the crime, and he remarked to one OF his
staff officers that he would prefer death to
the dishonor of leaving the country under
such an imputation.' But with such a sen
timent. it will occur to the reader that it
would have been noble and decorous for
Mr.. Davis to have surrendered himself st
the nearest Federal post and to have de
manded a trial. 1t would have placed him
in a grand and winning attitude, one bscOm-
ing a great man, one honorable to himself
and the South, and redeeming him more
than anything else in the eyes OF the world.
But, unfortunately, he accepted the base
alternative tho base alternative OF contlnu
ing his fight.
"On continuing his journey, accompanied
by his wife, whom he had overtaken at
Washington, it was determined that the
President and his friends should thereafter
travel as an emlgrant party, Mr.. Reagan
was still in his company. General Brock
enridge had left outside the tow of Wash
ington, taking with him forty-hvs Kentucky
soldiers. a struggling remnant OF Morgan 8
Brigade. Ten mounted men had offered to
escort Mrs. Davis, and although they had
accepted their paroles, Justly considered
that they might protect a distressed lady
from marauders. All tokens of the Presl.
dents Importance, in dress and air, were
left aside a covered wagon, pack-mule. and
cooking utensils, were provided at Wash
~ington: and it was designed that Mr.. Davis,
his wife, aud his wlte's sister, should pass
as a simple country family, emlgratlng from
Georgia, and having fallen III with strag
gllng soldiers Tor their prOtecuOH. AI
: Davis dignity was laid aside without much
: difficulty. Carlisle said: A king in The
: midst of his body-guard, with all his trum
: pets, warehouses, and gilt standard bearers
: will look great, though he be little; bu
! only some Roman Carus can give audience
> to satrap ambassadors while seated on The
; ground, With a wooden cap, and supping OF
boiled peas, like a common soldier Mr.
! Davis, in the dress Of a country farmer, ha(
. none Of these traces of imperialism which
e cling to those born to purple His fea
I lures, Just and handsome, without being re
J markable, were those which might com
; ; mand by assumed airs, or might be p~r1actice'
! to particular expressions. but scarcely thos
! which could assert superiority without al
9 effort and at a glance He incurred but lit
/, tie chance of detection in the dress he ha,
= assumed of an honest, well-to do emigrant.
u Il