The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1888-08-23

substantial accuracy has not been ques-
toned. Since its publication | have
found among my papers some new in
formation on the same subject, quite as
curious as that contained in the article
referred to, and largely corroborating
it. These things are quite as interest
ing as anything found in the preten-
tious histories Of the war; and l have
no hesitation in placing this fragment
in a shape where it may be preserved
for future reference
1t was an Washington, Wilkes Coup-
ty, Georgia, that the final Cabinet con
sultation of the dissolying Southern
Confederacy was held, BY looking at
the map, the reader will see that this
place is not far from the South Caro-
lima boundary. Irwinsyille, where Davis
was afterward taken, is almost due
south After this consultation the party
divided and took different routes
Davis, Reagan, and their escort pursu-
ing a general southerly direction, while
General Breckinridge, Secretary Ben
jamin, and some others, struck off south
easterly, toward the coast. 1t is we'll
known that the two latter succeeded in
making good their escape by reaching
an outward-bound vessel; and in look
ing back at the useless turmoil and
controversy that followed the capture
of Davis, and the amazing folly of his
late utterances, one is tempted to wish
that he had found refuge on the same
ship, and relieved the Lost Cause of its
heaviest burden.
At Washington, in Georgia, lived
Mrs, Moss, an aged lady, who was firm
ly attached to the fortunes of the Con-
federacy. The hospitalities Of her man
sion were offered to Davis and his par
ty, and were accepted. It was at this
house that the last Cabinet conference,
above referred to, was held, The
movements succeeding it showed that
there could be no agreement among
these chiefs of a fallen cause as to the
future. Breckenridge and Benjamin
were able to see that everything was
lost, and that the only course left was
to seek personal safety in fight. Davis,
possibly encouraged by Reagan, Tex
an, dreamed of organizing further resist
ance with the forces under General
Kirby Smith, beyond the Mississippi
in the Southwest. So the party was
separated.
General Breckenridge and those who
decided to accompany him had jour.
ney of hundred and fifty miles before
them to reach the sea coast. The Con
federate armies had been disbanded
the country was swarming with impov
erished and desperate men, many o.
whom would not be nice as to a way oi
acquiring gold, or its equivalent. The
General had with him considerable
amount of money, and some other treas
ure, which latter, after reflection, hC
decided to leave in the keeping Of Mrs
Moss. He knew that he could lepent
upon her fidelity, and he preferred no
to take any unnecessary risk in hi'
flight.
The conference over, he called the ole
lady aside and placed in her hand I
small box of rare material and quain
design.
"This, my dear madam" he said, "i4
one of the few treasures that still re-
main to our unhappy Confederacy. Il
is part of the deposits of the Treasury
which 1, as Secretary of War, have
been guarding all the way from Rich
mond; but am now about to lcavi
the country, and L must find some Sc
cure keeping for this box for the pres
ent. il contains many thousands O.
dollars worth of jewels contributed bJ
patriotic women OF Virginia to th'
cause, expecting that they would be
used to raise money. / desire, by-and.
by, to restore them to their owners. In
the meantime, do you keep them safe
until you have my written order to de.
liver them. You are at liberty to exam.
inc them, if you choose"
Mrs Moss cheerfully accepted this
strange trust, supposing that the secret
was shared by her and the General only
Subsequent events seemed to show that
their conversation at this time had beer
overheard.
That night, after her distinguished
visitors had departed on their several
ways, the widow locked herself in hel
chamber and examined the contents o.
the casket.