Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-25

AosS o@I hau seen IN Danville, and IN 1t
was stored tne same precious cargo. The
car was ID charge Of Mai. Steele, and
although only single sentinel was on
guaro, sui IL was evident that there was
some anxiety, for two or three times in al
many days Gordon of cavalry suddenly
enclrcled the car, and the precious kegs
were hastily loaded on six wagons and
moved rapidly away, only to return
again IN the same mysterious manner.
delayed awhile at this place, feeling
sure mat either our own men or the Fed
erais would seize this money. Mr.. Davis
anu MS cabinet were here with a guard
OF MafmAdakeNs cavalry, a detachment
k OF maya dudes, and heterogeneous mass
| OF Votunteere. Several of the latter men
I Lold me that there would be scramble
Ior the money as soon as 1t became GER
TAIN thab tcould not be saved from cap
lure; and part of 1t did 90 that way.
The night before they left to march
INTO the hatids@of the Federals, the specie
! guard. was, suddenly increased to about 90
men. AT about 0 O'clock, while talking
70 one OF them, tall man on horseback
came down the street from the town, and,
\ pelng challenged, informed the sentry that
, ne was Gen. Breckenridge, Secretary of
Cab, General said the sentry, also a
hentuektaps there's no Confederacy
now, and no War Department, and my
orders are striet.''
% well, call Maj. Steele, then"
9A' Hhis being done, they both entered the
ca car, GIFTED a candle, and remained some
time. uiI u"
b. That night Breckinridge left Mr.. Da-
Iyvis' party, made his way to Florida, and
escaped from the country. j. P. Benja-
MIN MIN lett at about the same time, 1 be-
heve, and next morning the government
hau appeared-cavalry, marines, spe-
Gle. and all-much to the disappoint-
ment OF number Of men in Abbeville
ana the village above, who were discuss
ing the proprlety of taking possession of
Inc treasure. And indeed there was only
one thing which had prevented it--respect
and sympathy for the hunted Confederate
| President.
On again, southwark, l went, rested
ana refreshed; now with one party, now
| with another, until falling in with group
OF wounded men, one Of them on crutches,
l remained with them carrying their
traps, until they were provided for. The
negroes 80 far seemed to be working, and,
though eager for news. very reticent
themselves. They knew nothing Of their
freedom, except through vague rumors,
which they discredited. l crossed the
savanna river one evening at dark, and
| TOT the hrst time in four years was again
under the dominion OF the Stars and
Stripes. The Union troops held Augusta,
/ and mad established parole office and post
| cd notices proclalming as outlaws those
| found without parole.
From this city the railroad was open to
Atlanta. How it escaped the general de-
! struction is mystery, for, from Rich
mond to Mobile, the calvary of both
armies had swarmed over the country,
! cutting railroad lines wherever they
! touched them, destroying bridges and
I'm 10 i
been Atlanta, for 1t was q dead forest of
| topping chimneys set amid desolate
ruins. From here we were on the tramp
| again. but the stream of men had grown
thinner, as they dropped of here and there
on the way.
After many weary miles we reached
Montgomery at last, and found a steam
boat ready to carry us to Mobile A Fed
| eral officer gave rations to all applicants;
| several Of them were boarding at the ho-
| tel paying $50 day, Confederate money.
The steamboat was packed with men as
she started down the river. The negroes
| here had learned that they were free,
and every landing place was crowded
with the poor creatures, with their little
bundles Of household goods, begging the
Captain to take them away. During the
darkest days of the war the negro had
worked with faithful industry for the
unprotected ones at home, for which the
Southern people cannot be ftoo grateful;
but even this early they had been deIuded
by wild stories OF ease and abundance,
and were leaving their homes 10 starve.
Missouri6ns, Texans, and LouIsianians
were waiting impatiently Ia Mobile for
some mode OF getting across the lake;
and at last the government furnished q
boat, and away we steamed on our way to
New Orleans and home. Welanded at the
foot Of the sheh road, six miles from the
city.
-Four years before. almost TO the very
dav, embarked for the seat of war, from
that very spot. Then l was clothed in
the nattlest OF uniforms. Now my old
gray jacket was frayed and torn, my trou-
seFs were grimy and patched, and an old
gray cap, and cavalry nose bag, which
held all my earthly possessions, COM
pleted the contrast. But with every nerve
and vein tingling with good health, what
cared L, if all was well at home? A
last tramp up the shell road, and into the
city.
The old town showed not the least YES
tige of change; IL looked as if it had
slept through these years of war and
waste. stopped for moment TO listen
to Union soldier reading a newspaper.
There had been a grand review in Wash
ington, and the conquering army OF the
North had marched in review past the
President, the famous Generals, and
statesmen. How often around our camp
fires we had talked and dreamed OF an
other victorious army being welcomed
home in like manner! Hurrying on, de-
clining thankfully the offers of clothing
and home from kind-hearted ladies, l
soon stood before the door where l had
said goodbye 80 long ago.
With anxious, throbbing heart opened
IL, and saw, as through q mist, a dear,
dear old face in halo of silver hair.
'My boy, thank Godw And-well-
though a prisoner, defeated, impoyer-
ished, would not have changed
places with the proudest soldier in all the
victorious, exultant legions Of the grand
army Of the Potomac; Tor was ! not at
home? X.REB.