Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-12-05
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Why He Changed His Mind ant
Saved Two Deserters' Lives.

Why He Changed His Mind and
Saved Two Deserters' Lives.
A Baltimore correspondent Of the New
York Sun tells the following little storf& f
the war:
While the two armies under Gen. Grams
and Gen. Lee were confronting each other
below Petersburg, President jefferson Davis
became so exhausted by overwcrk that he
determined to rest for a few days. His
steward was a worthy German named Egg
ling, who before the war conducted four
ishing nursery business near Richmond.
The President notified Eggling OF his pur-
pose to take rest, and directed that all Wig
itors be excluded until further orders. Mr.
| Eggling and his assistants carried out their
instructions. and Mr.. Davis ssranaly en-
joyed his rest.
One night at about 10 O'Clock there was q.
strong pull at the front door bell. Mr.. Egg
ling answered the call. and on opening tue
door found standing ouEslde venerable gen.
tleman who gave his name and said no
wished to seq the President on business OF
great importance. Mr.. Eggling infornaed
him that the President had retired. an,
could not possibly be seen until next MORN
ing.
"But. my dear sir, - said the caller. who
gave his name as Mr.. A., sit will be too
late then. wish to try TO saveithe lives Of
two German deserters from the other aide
who are condemned to be shot at sunrise as
spies.
The mention of the nativity Of the doouaa
men touched a sympathetic chord in MI
Eggling's heart, and he invited Mr.. A. to a
seal in the hail. After hearing the main
particulars of the arrest and sentence of the
supposed spies, Mr.. Eggling became inter-
left Mr.. A. in the ball, and went MP stairs
to MIR. Davis chamber. He opened the
door noiselessiy. and moved on tfptoe across
the carpeted floor toward the bed. fearing
that Mr.. Davis would be asleep. The gas
was burning dimly. Mr.. Davis happened to
be awake. and asked his chamberlain khaS
he wanted.
''Mr. President" said Eggling. 81 have
been In yo1rservice a long time, and hava
never, as you know, solicited any special
favor from you
MIR. Davis admitted that, IA
~ have one to ask now,n resumed Egg
CLING, land / hope you will not refuse It, -
He then requested that MIR. A., who was
waiting in the hall down stairs, be allowed
to come up to the chamber to see him ON
urgent business, involving the lives of two
innocent soldiers.
The President consented, and in q short
time Mr.. A., accompanied by Eggling, pre-
sented himself before the President, who re-
NAMED in bed. After short preliminary
conversation MIR. A. made known she obiece
of his visit, which was to secure reprieve
for the two men until the charge against.
them could be further investigated. ~
President Davis asked various questions,
and, when informed that the sentence OF the
drum-head court had been approved
by Gen. Lee, declared that he could not and
would not interfere. Mr.. A. became i'm
Fortunate, and Mr.. Davis SO far relented as
to agree to think over the matter for an
hour, at the end of which Mr. A would re-
ceive his final decision. Mr.. A. then with
drew, and at the appointed time returned TO
the chamber with Eggling. The Presidents
courteously informed his guest that ne had
considered the meter fully, and could nos
change his decision.
''Ths men must die, If Gen. Lee has APP
proved the sentence, +" said the President.
SIS that your irrevocable- conclusionfgs
Mr.. A. TREMENDOUSLY asked.
sit is; can not reverse it," Mr.. Davis
replied.
'''Then, - said Mr.. A., "will you riss from
your bed and unite with me in prayer to
Almighty God for the souls of the poor uz-
fortunates who are to be shot to death in the
morning?'
President Davis agreed to do khiE, and in
a minute the three persons in the room were
kneeling, and Mr.. A. was fervently pray
ing for the salvation of the doomed Ger
mans. When Amen" was said Mr.. Davis
was about TO rise, but hs was prevented by
Mr.. A., who said:
Nov. Mr.. President. I want you TO
pray"
Mr.. Davis. however, insisted on risins .