Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1881-06-29
How Jefferson Davis Took the News.
From the Philadelphia Times.

FROM tne fl1laOe4pla lines. h
After my hot haste from Appomattox
was much worn, but as soon as reached
Danville, ''the last capital of the Con-
federacy," Gen. Walker led me to the
house where Davis was dining. took a
seat on sofa and the president came and
took seat beside me. Gen. Walker taking
a chair near us. AS soon as we were thus
seated President Davis again bowed his
l then, in as few words as possible, gave
him full statement of the information /
had obtained of Gen. Lees surrender.
During my recital of this information
President Davis rested his elbow on the
side of the sofa and kept his hand on the
side of his brow, listening with the pro-
foundest attention, but uttering not a word
either of comment or inquiry. After I
had finished the telling of my terrible
news, he still sat for few minutes rest
ing his brow upon his hand, as if in pro-
found meditation. Presently, still without
one word of comment upon the news I
had brought him or Of inquiry as to
further particulars, he turned to Gen.
Walker ana myself in most courteous
manner and inquired whether we had dined
The general replied that he had. but had
not. In fact, had not tasted food since
leaving Mr.. Payne's house that morning at
sunrise and had ridden over fifty miles
since.
.'Then," said President Davis to nae,
"Walk in, captain, and take some bread and
meat with me-" AS he said this he arose from
hisseat on he sofa. did likewise, thanked
him, for his invitation, and followed him
to the dinner table. On entering the dining
room found seated at table number Of
gentlemen who were members of the presi-
dents official family, including several Of his
cabinet ministers, but there were no ladies
present. He invited me to seat at the
table, took seat himself, and recon-
menced eating. He seemed to be profound
dressed by any of the gentlemen around
him, always made very courteous replies,
but in the fewest words possible, and took
no other part in the conversation.
On rising from the table, however, he &C.
companied me back to the reception room,
where we rejoined Gen. Walker, who had
been waiting for me. We resumed our
seats in the reception room as before, and
then President Davis turned to me and
made the most careful and specialinquiries
touching the news I had brought him, and
all that I had seen and heard during my ex-
petition to the lines Of the army All these
inquiries answered fully and exI licitly.
When he had gotten through quo stioning
me and seemed ready to close the interview,
I arose to leave as did Gen. Walker also.
AS I was taking leave of him said: s'lIr.
President, if there is anything further can
do to serve you please command me-" AS
l said this, he seemed for the first time to
enhibit any emotion, but he answered me
with considerable feeling saying:
All, captain, I fear there would be but few
now who would make such an offer" With
this we shook hands. and Gen. Walker and
I left the president and I saw him no
more.
That night all the confederate officers left
Danville, taking the archives of the govern
ment with them, and went southwardly by
way of Greensboro, N. G.
W..D. COLEMAN.