The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-06-09
How President Davis Took the
News.
From the Philadelphia Times.

From the PhlladeIpnla lIuer
After my hot haste from Apomattos
was much worn, but as soon as
rescued Danville, ''the last capital OF
the Confederacy," Gen. Walker leo
me to the house where Davis was din
ing. took a seat on a sofa and the
President came and took a seat beside
me, Gen. Walker taking q chair pear
by US. As o as we were thus seat
ed President Davis again bowed ms
head to me as a signal for me to pro
coed. | hen, in as few words as pos
| sible. gave him a full statement OF the
information hid obtained oi Gen.
Lees surrender.
During nv recital of his luiorma-
ton President Davis rested his elbow
on the side Of the sofa and kept his
hand on the side of his brow, listening
with the profoundest attention, but
uttering not a word either OF comment
or inquiry. After | had finished the
telling Of nv terIibl" news, he still sat
for a few moments resting Ii g brow
upon his hand, asif in profound medI
%tation. Presently, still without one
word of comment upon the news ! had
brought him or Of inquiry as to further
particulars, turned toGen. Walker and
myself i'm a most courteous manner ana
inquired whether we had dined. The
General replied hat lie had. but had
not. In fact, [ bad not tasted food
since leaving Mr.. Payne'st that morning
at sunrise, and had ridden over fifty
miles since.
''Then," said President Davis to me,
"walk in. Captain, and take some
bread and meat with me- As he said
this he arose from his seat on the sofa.
| did likewise thanked him for his IN
vitation, and followed him rs he led
the way to the dinner-table. On enter
ing the dining room | found seated at
table a number of gentlemen who were
members of the Presidents family, in
Guiding several of his Cabinet Minis
tiers, but there were no ladies present.
He invited me to a seat at the table,
took a seat himself, and recommended
He seemed to be profoundly
medltating all the time, and when adj
dressed 10y any of the gentlemen around
him. always made very courteous re-
plies, but in the tewest words possible,
and took no other part in the CONVEX
On rising from the table, however. he
accompanied me back to the reception
Dom, where We rejoined Gen. Walker,
who had been waiting for me. We re
our seats in the reception room
IS before, and then President Davis
urned to me and made the most care
ul and special inquiries touching the
news | had brought him, and all that |
lad seen and heard during my expedi-
ion to the lines of the army. All these
Inquiries | answered fully and expli-
ity.
When he had gotten through ques-
me and seemed ready to close
he interview, | arose to leave, as did
Zen. Walker also. As | was taking +.
cave of him | said: MIR. President, '
f there is anything further | can do to
erve you, please command me-" As
aid this, he seemed for the first time
o exhibit any emotion, but he answer
d me with considerable feeling, saying:
'Ah, Captain, [ fear there will be but :
ew now who would make such an Of !
er." With this We shook hands. and
rem. Walker and [ left the President,
nd saw him no more.
That night at half past 10 o'clock all
he Confederate officials left Danville,
aking the archives of the Government
nth them, and went southwardly by
ray of Greensboro, n. C.-W. ID.
COLEMAN.