The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1889-04-18

occurred, SO That over places dry during
the battle rolled torrents which, in the
afternoon of the 22d, it was difficult to
cross. The movement was therefore
abandoned. The next day Mr.. Davis
rode over every portion of the field and
visited the wounded in the various camp
hospitals. In one of these he found the
dead body of a young relative, and every
where encountered the public men of the
south who had participated In the en-
gagement. Another conference took
place on the night of the 22d, with the
view of determining the propriety of an
advance to the south side of the Potomac,
but from causes that need not be consid-
cred here the contemplated project was
abandoned and Mr.. Davis returned to
Richmond.
A third visit was made in October,
1868, to the Army OF the West, then in
front of Chattanooga and aligned along
thememorable Missionary Ridge. Aspirit
of discomfort had arisen, and there were
loud complaints that instead of being
compelled to remain idle on the borders
of Tennessee, the army had not been led
into the heart of the state before the
Federals recovered from the shattering
blows of Chickamauga. Hence the
visit of Mr.. Davis was peculiarly oppor-
tune and did much to inspire the hope
that q change for the better would be
quickly made.
On the Cd of April, 1865, while Mr..
Davis was attending the usual Sunday
services in st. Paul's church, Richmond,
q courier quietly passed up the aisle to
his pew and handed him dispatch 1t
was the announcement from Gen. Lee
of his withdrawal from Petersburg and
the necessity for the evacuation of the
Confederate capital. The contents were
suspected by both the rector and the
| congregation, and amid scene of sub
dued excitement Mr.. Davis retired from
the church. Going at once to his Office,
he assembled the heads of his depart
ments and bureaus, and gave the needful
instructions for the removal of the re-
cords, and late that afternoon they were
sent south. The next morning Mr.. Davis
reached Danville, Va, where, under his
personal directions, hasty lines of in
trenchments were thrown up and ener-
getic efforts were made to collect supplies
for Gen. Lees army 1t was from this
point that Mr.. Davis issued his last
proclamation.
A few days later, accompanied by
some of the members of his cabinet, he
resumed his journey, pausing at Char
lotte, N c., and other points,
to confer by telegraph and courier
with Gen. Joe Johnston, who was then
In course of negotiation for the sur
render of his army. His escort consist
ed of small body of cavalry. When he
arrived at Abbeville, S. c., there We're
with him Gen. Breckenridge, Judah P.
Benjamin, Mr.. Mallory, secretary of the
navy, Mr.. Reagan and Gen. Lawton.
With this remnant of the defunct Con-
federacy, the last council OF the war was
held. 1t took place in the library of Mr..
Armistead Burt, who had been a men,
Der of congress previous to the war. AS
they assembled around the center table,
anxiety was written upon every face.
Mr.. Davis was the calmest of the six.
There was no attempt at concealment.
Long since it had become apparent to
all others that the end was at hand, and
what was their surprise to hear Mr..
Davis proceed to unfold a daring plan
for making another fight. With glitter
ing ewes. with voice and gesture full of
command and confidence, he began by
saying that they should never give up
until terms had been obtained to secure,
at least, the property rights of the south
ern people. They could rally right at
this point, rally the people of the coun-
try, gather recruits armed with shot
guns if necessary, and with the troops
at their disposal fight back the enemy
and demand formal guaranty before
surrendering. If defeated, they could
then retreat into Mississippi, the country
having been given time to pull itself to-
gether, and another struggle could be
waged there But there was no respon-
sive echo to Mr.. Davis enthusiasm.
Every member of the cabinet sadly
shook his head. The troops were even
then breaking their company ranks and
making for their homes. Finding him.
: self overruled, Mr.. Davis took no fur
ther part In the discussion, and leaning
back, covered his face with his handker.
chief.
J Breckenridge was occupied until late
in the night arranging papers and sign
ing discharges for such of the officers
and men rs desired to return home
Benjamin alore preserved his accus
) toned serenity, and it is believed that hs
, had in his possession the great seal Of
the Confederate States, about whose fate
! there has been much heated discussion
\ few days later he left the party, witt
the intention of rejoining them in th'
trans-Mississippi department. Continu
! ing his journey across the Savannah
river, the surrender of Gen. Johnston
having meanwhile taken place, Mr.. Da
Wis dispensed with his larger escort, and
!, with ten gentlemen who insisted on re
: naming as his body guard, passed OF
through Washington, Ga.
The incidents of Mr.. Davis releas,
u have been graphically described b,
George Alfred Townsend, and from hi
letter written for The Chicago Tribune
; are made the following extracts:
: II took the regular steamer at Balti
more, and at daylight Fortress Monro,
! was disclosed, with the flag of the recov
= cred country lazily waving above tn,
parapet. We waited half an hour, ans
! then / saw walk down the plank road
way from the fort, with a military Off
J Ger OH one side of him and a lady on tn
/ other. thin, bent, gray haired, unim
: posing, village looking man In a suit o