Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-10-19
The Escape OF Breckenridge and
Benjamin.

Ihe Escape or Breckenridge and
Benjamin.
Jacksonville, Fla, Times.
1t is generally known that Breckenridge
left the country by the way of Indian rivel
Immediately after the surrender, arriving in
Havana; while Mr.. Benjamin, though leav.
ing by way of Tampa and the waters below
made his landing in safety at Nassau, New
Providence.
After the separation of the members of the
confederate government in Gaorgia from
President Davis, at the time of the surrender,
General Breckenridge rode on horseback 20
Florida, underlthe name of Colonel Cabel.
He had with him, besides his son, Colonel
Wood, who was a nephew of President
Zachary Taylor and another officer named
Wilson, all of whom had been members Of
the generals staff. On entering Florida
from the Georgia line Immediately north
of the town of Madison, they reached the
house of Thomas Livingston. who soon con-
Quoted them to the plantation of General
Finnegan. Wood was at once sent toCap
tain James Tucker, who resided not far
from Madison, and was neighbor of Cen
eral F1nnegan, to come to the house of the
latter, to which he came and was introduced
to the party, and informed of their purpose
to leave the country. General Breckenridge
presented the fine horse which he rode to
General Finnegan; his son went to Jefferson
county to stay while with Captain James
Tucker Ia son of Captain Tucker, Sr, first
mentioned). General breckenridge accepted
the use ofCaptain fuckers carriage and Cap
tain Tucker accompanied him in it on the
way to East Florida his eolored coaehma3
driving.
The two officers of the generals staff and
faithful colored servant man of General
breckenridge rode the horses on which they
came into the state on the same route
The party went about seven mile south of
Madison to strike the Bellamy road. En- the
carriage was the general himself and the
colored driver. The team of the coach was,
ufcourse, q pair of good hors S. ON theroad
they overlook country woman and little
girl walking Captain Tucker asked the
general ii he would have any objection to
taking the two up to hel them on their way
for few miles. OF course they were at once
given place in the carriage The old wo-
man became very inquisitive and asked the
general if he was president.
The general answered no"
She asked. Then you are general?
He answered, mo, no general; only PHI
vate soldier, :ar away from home
The keen eyes and questions of the old
woman became so searching as to embarrass
him little, and the general diverted her by
could read etc.
She said the little girl could not read.
The general then gave the child five one
dollar gold pieces and told her mother to
send her to school with it rs far as it would
go. Captain Tucker eScorte the party to
NJ. Haile's plantation, nea- Gainesville, and
there putting them into position to be
escorted further, he bade them adieu and
returned home. At Noseleye's Ferry, on
the Suwanee, they encountered another old
countrywoman in house near at hand, who
became quite social with the party, and told
them that "Old Beritmin" had passed that
WY a few days before, and had taken a meal
there. He had arrived alone on horseback,
rather late for the meal Mr.. Benjamin had
asked the man ofthe house for the meal and
lie had replied that ii was pretty late, and he
did not know whether the old womanwould
be willing to cook another. Mr.. BENJAMIN
said that he had the gold to pay for il, and
the meal was soon smoking on the table.
Gold w5s a rare charm in those days on
the Bellamy road.
When the old lady told the Breckenridge
party that " Old Benjamin had passed there
a few days before, upon being asked how
she knew him, she replied that while he was
eating she was looking over an old pictorial
paper which had somehow got through the
lines, and in it was picture of some of the
great 'rebels," as they were called, and
among them was one printed u. P. Benia-
min"
Il II be shot," said the old woman, ''while
l was lookin' at the pictures and lookin' up
at the man eating his supper, it could help
noticin' toe likeness, and I was. soon sure
that the man eatin' supper was old Benjamin
himself That's how / know he has been
: here and you all comm along in this way re-
minded me of him.