The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-03-16


we're formed, and all precautions taken
to prevent tumult and disorder.
Sull many OF the men said, "If we
don't ge, these sores the enemy will"
90 they formed the needy women and
children in line, and made them charge
the laughing guard and help themselves.
Many of the paroled men loitered In
Greensboro. in :he hope of securing the
millions of specie which they supposed
to be some where. II have fought four
years." said a tai, dark-eyed Georgian,
"ost health, home, everything; this old
ragged uniform is everything l own in
the world, and I'll take all can tote,
gold or gruh."
At last train was ordered south, and
as manv as could sqneeze into the wretch
ed box-csrs got ride as far as Charlotts-
vile. Jus, before we left rumor was
current that Moshy had shot President
Lincoln; this was the first news OF the
assassination. Charlottesville was swarm
ing with men, some leaving as fast as
they came; all stopping only long
enough to get ra,ions, OF which there
seemed no lack anywhere. Where we're
all these great stores Of fprovisious while
Lees army was starving n
Onward again NO lettering now o.
ward from daylight until too dark to see
the cross ties. Then down in fence
corner to sleep, and up and on again
through North Carolina into Ahheville,
South Carolina, where the railroad stop
ped, and few yards from the end stood
what appeared TO be the same baggage
car had seen in Danville, and in it was
stored the same precious cargo. The
car was in charge Of a Major Steele, and
although only single sentinel was on
guard, still it was evident that there was
some anxiety, for two or three times In
as many days a Gordon Of cavalry sud-
denly encircled the car, and the precious
kegs were nastilv loaded on ak wagons
and moved rapidly away, only to return
again in. the same mysterious manner.
delay ed awhile at this place, feeling
sure that either our own men or the Fed
erals would stize the money. Mr.. Davis
and his Cabinet were here with guard
Of Marmaduke's cavalry, detachment
OF naval dudes, and Heterogeneous mass
of volunteers Several of the latter men
told me atthere would be a scramble
for the monev as soon as it became GER
tain that it could not he saved from cap
ture; and part of it did 60 that way.
The night before thew left to march
into the hands of the Federals, the spe.
Gle guard was suddenly increased to
about fftv men At about 9 o'clock,
while talking to one Of them, a tail man
on horseback came down the street from
the town, and, being challenge inform
ed the sentry that he was Gen. Brecken-
ridge. Secretary OF War.
"Ah, General" said the sentrv. also q
Kentuckian, "there's no Confederacy
now. and no War Department, and my
orders are strict"
"Weil, call Major Steele, them"
This being done they both entered the
car. lighted candle and remained some
time.
That night B.eckinridge left Mr. Da-
Wis party, made his way to Florida. and
escaped from the country. J. P. Benja
min left at about the same time. be.
lieve, and next morning the Government
had disappeared-cavalry. msrines, spe-
Gle and all-much to the disappointment
of number 10 Abbevile and the village
above, who were discussing the proprie
ty of taking possession OF the treasure.
And indeed there was only one thing
which had prevented it--respect and
svmpathv for the hunted Confederate
President.
Of again. southwark, I went. res ed
and refreshed now with one party, now
with another. until falling in with group
of wounded men, one o, them on crutch.
es, remained with them carrying their
traps, until they were provided for. The
negroes so far seemed 10 be working and
though eager for news, very reticen,
them selves. Thev knew nothing OF their
freedom, except through vseue rumors,
which they discredited. I crossed the
Savannah River one evening at dark, and
for the first time in four years was again
under the dominion Of the Stars and
Stripes. The Union troops held Augus'
Ia, and had established parole office
and posted notices proclaiming as out.
laws those found without parole.
From this city the railroad was open
to Atlanta. How it escaped the general
destruction is a mystery, for, from Rich.
mond to Mobile, the cavalry Of both ar.
mics bad swsrmed over the country, cut
ting railroad lines wherever they touched
them, destroying bridges and trestles.
On to Atlanta, or what had been Allan.
ia, for it was dead forest OF toppling
chimneys set amid desolate ruins. From
here we were on the tramp again, but
the stream Of men had<grown thinner, "a
they dropped of here and tn re on the
way.
After many weary miles we reached
Montgomery at lss.. and found a steam.
boat resiv to carry Us to Mobile. A
Federal officer gave rations TO all appli-
can,s; another gave transportation tick.
cts to Mobile; several OF them we're
boarding at the hotel paying $50 day
Confederate mcnev. The steamboat was
packed with men as she started down the
river. The negroes here had learned
that they we're free, and every landing
place was crowded with the poor crea.
lures, with their little bundles of house
hold goods, begging the captain to lake
them away. During the darkest days o.
the war the negro hal worked with 9
faithful industry for the unprotected ones
at home, for which the southern people
cannot be too grateful; hut even this
early they had been deluded by wild sto
ries of esse and abundance. and were
leaving their homes to starve. Miss u
rians, Texans and Louisianians were
waiting lmpatiently in Mobile for some
mode Of getting across the lake; and al
last the government furnished boat and
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