The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-16
THE SOUTHERN TREASURE.
The Last Meeting of the Confederate Cabi
net, and the Gold 1t Left Behind.

net, and the Gold 1t Left Behind.
Atlanta Special.
The Constitution will publish, tomorrow,
graphic story about the last cabinet meet
ing of the Southern Confederacy, and the
gold and jewels which were left behind in
the flight of the Southern leaders. 1t is by
e. A. Tate, ESQ., of Seneca, s. c.. who says:
In front of Mrs. Mosss residence was lane,
the sand being very deep. and it was thought
that some of the men who had carried off
the Confederate gold had filled up their old
war saddle bags, the stitches broke. and the
contents were scattered, unnoticed. Mrs.
Moss's negroes were all out for several days
with every sitter that could be started, "sift-
ing the sand' in that lane, and they were
generously rewarded.
During the winter of 1864 and 1865 the
Confederate government, on account of its
railroad communications being destroyed in
so many places, built a pontoon bridge
across the Savannah river In the early
part of 1865 there was an almost continual
stream of soldiers going and coming on that
road. About three and one-half miles from
the bridge, in Lincoln county, Georgia, lived
the widow of David Minis Moss, with her
three small children. They owned a fine
plantation and were in prosperous condi-
ton, and when the stream of soldiers first
started, being soldier and knowing what
she would have to go through, 1 advised her
to move back into her plantation, if only in
log cabin, and stay out there until things
settled, but she said mo, I will stay here
and divide the last mouthful with the poor
fellows"
One evening larger crowd came up to her
house than usual, everything betokening
some distinguished parsonage. AT last tall,
fine-looking gentleman came up and intro
duced himself as General Breckenridge, asked
for supper and room, said they would not
stay the night, only wanting the room for a
short time. She opened her parlor to them,
and in short time the room was full OF gem
tlemen, also boxes of various Sizes Mrs.
Moss soon found out that she was entertain
ing President Davis and his cabinet. Her
health at that time was very bad, and she be-
came very much excited over all that was
going on, aud could not sleep. About
o'clock A. NJ. she heard knocking at the parlor
door, and answered it In person. She was
met by General Breckenridge, who gave her
$50 in gold, and, turning around and look
ing at the confused state of the parlor, the
boxes and papers, ETC., lying in every direc-
ton, said to her, I'VE give you what we
leave" After they had all gone, Mrs Moss
retired and next morning she and younger
sister went in the parlor to clean up They
commenced moving the boxes, but at last
they came upon one that was very heavy.
They examined it, and found that it was full
of the finest diamond jewelry and all other
kinds. They secretly moved the box in Mrs.
Moss's bedroom and putt under the bed, and
that night those two lone ladies carried it in
the garden and buried it. The garden had all
been freshly spaded up for the regular spring
work, and it was not noticed. Then came on
the gold excitement. Several of the best
people were taken and hanged by the thumbs
to make them tell about or give up the gold.
All this excitement was too much for Mrs.
Moss's already enfeebled system, and she was
compelled to take her bed. While lying
there she brooded over her secret and at last
concluded that she would tell everything to
her pastor and act on his advice, and he told
her to keep the iewelry.
A few weeks before she died fellow came
and took book from his pocket and read to
her list of the articles, and told her that he
was sent for them, that they were overlooked
that night in the hurry of departure. She
was very low, nobody about her but women,
and she told him where the treasure was. he
decamping with it, of course. This box con-
tanned the jewelry of the ladies of the South,
sent on by them to assist the confederacy.
This fellow certainly got fortune, for there
was one brooch made like humming bird.
the eyes diamonds and the wings studded
with gems, seeming to be always in a trem-
bling motion.