Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10
WAR SOCIETY.
TIE JEFF. DAVIS MANSION.

TIE JEFF. DAVIS MANSION.
The Presidents Lsvees-Ths Men and Women
who Attended Tn m - The Presidents
WIFE.
For the Dispatch.l
Immediately after Virginia seeded
and Joined the Southern Confederacy
the southern capital was removed from
Montgomery to Richmond. JEFF. Davis
and his Government soon came to this
latter city, and all the machinery Of a
perfect Government was at once in-
augurated. A mansion for the Presi-
dent was obtained, which, although not
wing in magnificence, beauty, and
grandeur with the White House at
Washington, was large and commo-
dious, isolated and surrounded by large
grounds, and was not i'll suited for the
residence of the Chief Magistrate Of the
young republic Just about to begin its
fearful but unsuccessful struggle for
national life. This house, now devoted
to the purposes Of the free education OF
the children of this city, is situated on
the corner OF Twelfth and Clay streets,
in a section where, in the better
DAYS of old Virginia, some Of her wor-
thiest sons resided. In days gone
by, Chief-Justice Marshall, John
Wickham lone Of her most distin-
guished lawyers, William Writ tAt-
torney- General Of the United States),
Benjamin Watkins Leigh United States
senator), George Hay lone Of the counsel
in Burr's triaD, and other distinguished
men Of national reputation had their
residences near by. 1t is at the end Of
Clay street, with what were grand old
residences in former times for its neigh
bors, which sat one by one like itself in
a square surrounded by large grassy
lawns covered at intervals with high
shady trees; but now progress and
people have come in and built upon the
grounds Of these old houses, so that the
place bears but little resemblance to its
former quietude and baronial appear
ance. The house fronted to the north
east and overlooked what was once
picturesqe valley land would nOw pre-
sent a charming prospect but for the
low, dirty houses which dot it here and
there) through which, like a thread of
silver, meanders Bacon's Quarter
Branch, a name commemorative Of the
distinguished leader Of Bacon's Rebel
lion in Colonial times. Amid these
comfortable surroundings,
JEFFERSON DAVIS
and his family passed the four years of
the war. Here he gave his leyees to
the elite of the southern people, and
here he held conferences with the dis
tinguished civilians and generals whose
couDse and actions shaped the des-
tiny of the young nation. Here he had
days Of JOY and satisfaction when for
tune smiled, and here he suffered agony
when she frowned upon his efforts to
create a new republic and here he
must often have been cOnsoled in his
most direful moments Of anxiety and
grief by the constant demonstrations of
the confidence and respect of a whole
people. Richmond Immediately filled
up with a population more than double
the usual number, and the population
remained during the war, most of
them in some capacity employed
by the Government. Every south
ern State was represented. From
Maryland to Texas they came
the most distinguished men, the fairest,
gentlest women-one idea predomi-
mating ALTO do what they could for
the COnfederacy. With their hearts
buoyant at the beginning of the war,
full Of hopes and expectation of final
success, it was pleasant to see these
people at
THE LEvEES OF THE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Davis and his noble wife re-
ceiyed them with courtesy and polite
ness that accorded with his high posi-
ton. Men were presented, then with
only local repution, whose names have
since become known through the world.
Ihse was Robert L. Lee, whose hand
some countenance and dignifed bearing
stamped him as hero. Then followed
Stonewall Jackson, at the time a pro-
fessor in a military college, but in a
few years to acquire a fame which will
60 resOunding down the ages along with
Napoleon's; Albert Sydney Johnston,
whose early death caused general sor-
row; Jeb. Stuart, Fitz Lee, and many
others whose names are now linked
with everlasting remembrance as mill
tary leaders; and there were Judah
P. Benjamin, Robert Toombs, Wig
fall, George W. Randolph, Mem
mipger, Foote, Barksdale, Wise,
William Smith, Letcher, Reagan,
Curry, Hunter, Slidell, Mason, and
others men whose abilities and states
manship have rendered them famous in
the congresses of the Confederacy and
Of the United States-all of them and
many more miDgling in unconstrained
pleasant communion with the fairest,
best, and purest women--the elite OF
the southern land. What can | say Of
them? They need no compliments.
They lived in stormy time. They bore
themselves through 1t IN manner that
won all hearts and stamped them as be-
ing made of natures porcelain clay.
AS one WHO had ocular demonstration
of What they did in this city during the
war, and observed their genuine SYM
patty. their sell-sacridcing spirits, and
their gentle ministrations to the sick
and wounded. be must have a heart of
adamant if he cannot bow down and
worship the God who made such noble
women.
MRS. DAVIS
was a fit leader for her southern sisters.
None surpassed her in her sympathy
for the sufIerings Of the poor soldier.
Many a time have known her to
use her mighty influence for his sake,
and often have seen her make per-
sonal efforts to alleviate his sutlerlngs.
I venture to affirm that no mother, nor
sister, nor wife ever appealed to her to
benefit'her son, brother, or husband in
sad and dangerous circumstances that
did not receive her most sympathlzlng,
earnest cooperation.