New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-27
THE ESCAPE or BRECKENRIDGE AND
BENJANIN.
From The Jacksonville FIal Tim

From The Jacksonville (Fia) Times.
It is generally known that General Breckenrldge
left the country by tine way OF Indian RIVER lmIne
diately after the surrender, arriving in Havana
while Mr. Benjamin, though leaving by way OF
Tampa and the waters below made his landing IN
safety at Nassau New royidence.
After thu separation of the members of the Con
federate Government in Georgia, from President
Davis a. the time of the surrender. Genei al Breck-
entdge rode on horseback to Florida under the name
of Colonel Cabe He had with him besides his sou
Colonel Wood, who was nephew or Pres dent
Zachary Taylor, ana another officer named wilson,
all of whom had been members OF tue. General 5
staff On entering Florida from the Georgia line
Immediately north of the town OF Madison, they
reached the house of Thomas Livingston who soc n
conducted them to the plantation OF General
Finegan. Wood was at once sent to Captain James
Thicker who resided not far from Madison, ana
was n neiehbOr OF General Fnegan 10 come TO the
house OF the latter, to which he came and was IN
troduced to the party and informed or ther purpose
10 leave the country. General breckenridge pre-
seuted the fine horse which he rode TO General
Finegan; his son went to Jefferson County To stay
awhile with Captain James ucker n son OF zap
tam Tucker. ST. first mentioned. Geueral ,breck-
enridQe accepted the use OF Captain fuckers ear
riaee and Captain Tucker accompanied HIM IN IL
on the way To East Florida, bis colored coachuan
driving. ~,
ful coored servant man OF General breckenridge
rode the horses Oh winch they came INTO tue STATE
on the same route -, =,
The marty went about seven miles south of Nadi-
son 10 strike the Beamy road. la the carriage was
the General himself and the cOi0rcd driver Inc
team OF the COdCu was VI AoNASN' II" pun VI $50
horses On the road they overlook country
woman and little girl walking. Captain tucker
asked the General il he would have any objection
10 taking the two up TO help them on thelr way Tor
a few miles OF course they we're at once gwen a
place in the carriage. he old woman became very
inauisltve and asked the General II he was Presl-
dent.
The General answered " Mo-
She asked: Then you are General
He answered, No. no General only a private
soldier far away from home
The and questions or the Olu WOIltl
became so searching 10 embarrass MIN Httle,
and the General diverted her by kind inquiries
abOut the little girl, whether she could READ. etc
She said the little girl could not read.
The General then gave the child hye one;dolIar
gold pieces aud told her mother TO send her 10
school with it as far as IL would 20.
CAPTAIN Tucker escorted the party to Mr. Halle )
plantation near Gaines lille, and there quitting
them INTO position to be escorted further, he babe
them adieu and returned home.
At MOSeley's Ferry, on the Suwanee, they en-
countercd another old cOuntrywOman in house
near at hand. who became quite social with the
party. and told them that Old Benjamin" had
passed that way few days before, ana had taken
meal there. lie had arrived alone on horseoack;
rather late Tor the meal. Mr.. Benjamin had asked
the man of The house for the cal and he had re-
piled that it was pretty late, and he did not Sno "
whether the Old woman would be wiling TO COOK
another Mr. BENJAMIN said that lie had the gold
to pay it. and the meal was soon smoking on the
table.
Gold WAS rare charm in those days on the
When the oil lady told the Breckenridge party
that old Benjamin had passed there iew days
before upOu Lelug asked how she knew him, she
replied that while he was eating she was looking
over IN old pictorial paper, which had somehow
got through the lines, and III II was picture OF
same of the great rebels" ~ they called aud
among them was one printed " J. L. Benjamin.
"Ill be shot," said the old woman. while was
lookin' ut the pictures and l0okin' mp at the man
eatln his supper If | could help uotIcin' the like
ness aud | was that tue man eatIn
suppel was old Benjamin himself. That's how
know he has been here; and you all comin' along
n this way reminded me OF him."