Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-08

Those who knew him IN Richmond
during the war might not recognise
him at once, a. over twenty years have
leo their impress upon him. and he
now wears foil beard instead Of being
clofely shaver as then. But the hand
scms face, the courtly grace Of his bear.
ing, the fash Of his eagle eye, his cordial
manners, genial humor, and almost un-
fivalledsl oquence of conversation, soon
brig back tie Confederate President
the indomitable leader, the unfinching
patriot, the heightened, Christian gen.
1eman, whom true Confederates will
ever delight to honor.
seventy-eight years Of an eventfui
life are upon him, his health is not
strong, and his physical powers begin
10 weaken, but his intellect is % clear
as ever, and his heart % warm IS ever
for the land be has loved so well, and
for which he has toiled, and suffered,
and sacrificed so much.
j shall not be guilty Of betraying to
the public the confidence Of private
conversation, as at this and subsequent
interviews at his own home he spoke free
| Iy Of men and events and measures from
that full knowledge and intimate ac-
quaintance and In that perfectly charm
ing manner which make his lightest NJ
teTances Of unspeakable value.
But there are some things Of which
I may without improperly write, and
which / know will be Of deep interest
to our people.
Mr.. Davis loves to talk Of his home,
the Gulf coast of Mississippi aud its
advantages, his pictures, his books,
questions in English literature, science,
the arts, &c.-in all of which be is per-
ieotly at home and talks charmingly;
his cadet life at West Point and the
men he knew there, who were after
wards famous; the Mexican war and
his services, of which he speaks very
modestly, but the brilliancy Of which
all the world knows; his services in
the United States Senate and ss Secre-
tsry of War, and the men With whom
be came in contact while serving in
these high positions {; his travels abroad,
&C., &c.
But he seems to delight especially to
talk Of the Confederacy; its slendid
rise, its heroic struggle, its sad fall,
when compelled to yield to over
whslming numbers and resources" He
seemed thoroughly familiar with the
minutest details Of all the Departments
ofthe Government. He gave some very
interesting details Of experiments made
while he was Secretary Of War on the
question of whether to cast guns hollow
or TO bore them out from solid castings,
and spoke Of the laudable pride with
which Rodman sought him when he had
| prepared some cannon-powder, and ex-
claimed, Eureka, eureka
lie gave very interesting account OF
some experiments made by Professor
Bartlett, Of West Point, under his di.
r,cuop, on the proper size aud shape of
bullets. The experiments failed, but
last year at Beauvoir he got to thinking
over il. and thought that he discovered
tie cause Of the failure.
He at once wrote to Professor Bart
lett giving him his theory, but received
from him very kind reply. 10 which
the Professor said that ne was now too
old and infrm to make new expert
m.nts, and that, besides, be had lost
their original memoranda and calcula-
tons.
He spoke with commsndable pride
Of what progress the Coniederacy had
made in creating material of war, until
at the end CT the struggle the best pow
der in tie world was made at the Con-
federste mill under charge OF General
Rains. lie said that while prisoner
at Fortress Monroe he was told that the
powder 6hich produced the best results
in firing st iron plates was some Of this
powder captured from the Con-
federstes.
He talked freely, and in the most in
teiestirg manner, Of the causes, pro-
eress, and results Of the war, and,
while fully accepting its logical results,
be seems profoundly anxious that our
children should be taught the truth,
and that our people should not forge. or
ignore the great fundamental principles
for which we fought. AS for allowing the
war to be called 80 The Rebellion |" and
our Confederate people Rebels" he
heartily repudisted and condemned It.
"a sovereign cannot rebel" he said,
"snd sovereign States could not be in
rebellion. You might as we'll say Ger
many rebelled against France, or that
France las she was beaten in the con-
test rebelled against Germany"
lie said that once in the hurry Of
writing he had spoken Of it as "the
civil war" but had never used that
misncmer sgsin.
lie spoke of many Of eur generals
and Of the inside history Of some Of
our great battles aud campaigns, telling
some things of great interest aud
historic value, which I do not feel at
liberty to publish nov.
After speaking in the most exalted
terms OF Lee aud Jackson, their mutual
confidence in each other, and their
prompt cooperation, he said They
supplen euted each other, and. together,
with any fair opportunity, they were
absolutely mvincible." lie defended
Jackson against the statement made by
some OF his warmest admirers (eyen
DR.. Dsbney in his biography that be
was not fully himself in failing to force
the passage of White-Oak swamp to g.
to the help of A. P. Hill at Frazier's
Farm. He said that be thought that a
careful study of the topography would
show that Franklin's position was the
real obstacle to Jackson's crossing.
He spoke warmly Of the magnificent
fight which A. P. Hill, afterwards, sup
ported by Lopgstreet, made that day
a battle which he witnessed-and told
some interesting incidents concerning it.
Early in the day he met General Lee
near the front, and at once accosted
him with why, General, what are
you doing here? You are in too danger
GUS q position for the commander Of
the army"
~ am trying" was the reply, " to
ind out something about the move