Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-23
THE CONFEDERATE COIN.

Statement Of Gen. Basil Duke, of Louis.
will. Ky He Completely Exonerates
Jefferson Davis-The Fnal Disposition OF
the Coin Still q Mystery.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 22.-Gen. Basil Duke
being questioned by reporter regarding the
statement of Gen. Johnston concerning the
confederacy money, said: When Mr.. Davis
left Charlotte, N. c., at the date of the termi-
nation of the armistice between Generals Sher-
man and Johnston, he was escorted by five
brigades of Confederate cavalry, commanded
by Generals Debril, Ferguson, Waugh, Breck.
enridge, and myself. These brigadiers were
under the immediate command OF Gen. Breck-
enridge, although he was still secretary OF
war. At Abbeyville, s. c., where we had a
halt of twenty-four hours, 1 received an order
from. Gen. Breckenridge to come immedi-
ately to his headquarters. This was about 10
O'Clock at night. When / reported to him he
told me that there was about $500, 1000 of gold
and silver coin and silver bullion at the rail-
road depot, which Mr.. Davis desired to have
placed in wagons and brought on with the es-
cort. had not previously heard anything of
this money. Gen. Breckenridge directed ne
to detail fifty men to take charge of, and
guard this specie, to have it taken from
the cars and loaded on wagons, and to
personally superintend its removal. I order
ed the detail, putting, if my memory serves
me, Lieut.. Col. Steel in command of it.
procured five army wagons and proceeded to
the depot to take charge of the specie.
found it in charge of some fifteen or twenty
men, whom understood were employees of
the treasury department. The gold and silver
coin was packed in small pine boxes, in bags
w Ra hon in
money BELTS made no attempt to
count it. and could not have
done so in the time allowed me before the es-
cort moved. The coin and bullion was taken
from the box cars, two in number if re-
member rightly, where found it, and lodged
in five wagons. The night was very dark and
the transfer was made by the light of few
tallow candles. The escort marched at mid
night accompanied by this improvised specie
train.
On the next morning Gen. Breckenridge or.
dered me to strengthen the guard and take
command of it in person. requested him to
give me detail of forty men from
each of the five brigades of the
MAXIM making in all eS guard of 200 200, preferring
guard so composed to one selected entirely
from my own brigade. l was in charge OF
the treasure some three or four days, until
we redcueu WdSuiuSLo OeoISia, duu uulluS
that time kept the entire guard continually
on duty. and was never myself absent from
the train. At Savannah river all
of the silver coin, amounting to
the best of my recollection to some $1O,-
600, was paid out to the troops composing
the escort, and to the patroled confederate
soldiers who were present. On next day, at
Washington, by order of Gen. Breckenridge,
turned over the gold coin, estimated to be
about $500, 900, to gentleman whose name
have forgotten, but who, think, was one OF
the officials of the treasury department. He
loaded it in two horse ambulance and imme-
diately set off with it, accompanied by two or
three men on horse back. Whittier he went
I do not know and did not inquire.
l at no time communicated with Mr.. Davis
in regard to the specie, but received all instruc
tions respecting it from Gen. Breckenridge.
Mr.. Davis left Washington after the gold had
been taken off. As narrated, he was accom-
panied by small body of picked men, under
Capt. Given Campbell, one of the most gallant
and efficient officers in the Confederate service.
do not think it atall probable, indeed it seems
to me impossible, that Mr.. Davis ever saw
any of the committee which have told you
was placed in the ambulance. He was cap
tured in very short time after he left.