Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-02

JEFFERSON DAVIS, LIFE.
What His Autobiography Says About His
Connection with the Confederacy.
Belford's Magazine for January contains the
autobiography Of the late Jefferson Davis, the
president Of the confederate states. His &C.
count Of his connection with the confederacy
contributes an interesting chapter 70 history.
The autobiography says:
When officially informed that Mississippi had
passed the ordinance Of secession, took forma
leave Of the Senate, announcing for the las
time the opinion had so often expressed a. to
state sovereignty, and, ss Q consequence Of it,
the right Of state to withdraw its delegated
powers. Before reached home had been
appointed by the convention Of Mississippi
commandments of its army, with the rank
OF major general, and at once proceeded with
the task of organization. l went to my home
in Warren county in order to prepare for what
l believed was to be long and severe struggle.
Soon a messenger came from the provisional
confederate congress ut Montgomery, bringing
the unwelcome notice that had been elected
provisional president of the confederate states.
But, reluctant as l was to accept the honor,
and carefully as had tried to prevent the pos
sibility of it, in the circumstances Of the coun-
IL,
augurated at Montgomery. February IL, 1861,
with Ale xander H. Stephens Of Georgia as vice
president.
From this time to the fall Of the confederate
government my life was part Of the history of
the confederacy and Of the war between the
states. 1t is impossible, therefore, to follow it
in detail.
In the selection Of cabinet was relieved
from a difficulty which surrounds that duty by
the President of the United States, for there
All aspirations, ambitions and interests had
been merged in great desire for confederate
Independence.
In my inaugural address I asserted that
necessity, not choice, had led to the secession
OF the southern states; that, as an agricultural
people, their policy was peace and free COM
merce with all the world; that the constituent
parts, not the system OF government, had been
changed
THE FIRING ON FORT SUMTER.
The removal Of the troops from Fortress
Moultrie to Fort Sumter, the guns Of which
threatened the harbor OF Charleston, and the
attempt to throw reinforcements into that
fort-thus doubly breaking the pledge that
matteN should be kept in statu quo-consti-
tuted the occasion rs we'll as the justification
OF the opening Of fire upon Fort Sumter.
Speedily following this event came the call for
large army by Mr.. Lincoln, aud the secession
OF other southern states as q conse quence Of
this unmistakable purpose of coercion.
Virginia, which had led in the effort by q
peace conference to avert national ruin, when
she saw the constitution disregarded and the
purpose to compel free states by military force
to submit to arbitrary power, passed an ordi-
nance OF secession and joined the confederate
states.
Shortly after this a. authorized by the pro-
visional congress, I removed the confederate
capital from Montgomery to Richmond.
Among the many indications Of good will
shown when on my way to and after my arrival
at Richmond was the purchase Of a very fine
residence in Richmond by leading citizens. II
was offered as present, but following q rule
that had governed my action in all such cases,
| declined to acceptit. continued to live in
Richmond until the confederate forces were
compelled to withdraw from the defenses Of
the capital.
THE FLIoHr FROM RICHMOND.
That event was not quite unexpected, but it
occurred before the conditions were fulfilled
under which Gen. Lee contemplated retreat
After Gen. Lee was forced to surrender, and
Gen. johnson consented to do so, l started,
with very few of the men who volunteered to
accompany me, for the trans Mississippi; but,
hearing Oh the road that marauders were pur-
suing my family, whom had not seen since
they left Richmond, but knew to be en- route to
the Florida coast, l changed my direction and
after lon, and hard ride found them en-
camped and threatened by robbiug party. To
give them the needed protection / travelled
with them for several days, until in the neigh
borhood Of Irvinville, Ca, when I supposed
could safely leave them. But hearing about night
fall that party OF marauders were to attack
the camp that night, and supposing them to be
pillaging deserters from both armies, and that
the confederates would listen to me, awaited
their coming, lay down in my travelling clothes
and fell asleep. Late in the night my colored
coachman aroused me with the intelligence
that the camp was attacked, and stepped out
Of the tent where my wife and children were
sleeping and saw at once that the assailants
were troops deploying around the encamp-
ment. l so informed my wife, who urged me
to escape. After some hesitation I con-
sented, and servant woman started
with me, carrying bucket as if going to the
spring for water. One Of the surrounding
troops ordered me to halt and demanded my
surrender. L advanced toward the trooper,
throwing of a shawl which my wife had put
over my shoulders. The trooper aimed his
carbine, when my wife, who witnessed the act,
rushed forward and threw her arms around me,
thus defeating my intention, which was, il the
trooper missed his aim, t.. try to unhorse him
and escape with his horse. Then, with every
species of petty pillage and offensive exhibit
ton, was taken from point to point until in
carcerated in Fortress Monroe. There was
imprisoned for two years before being allowed
the privilege of the writ Of habeas corpus.
HIS RELEASE FROM FORTRESS MONROE
At length when the writ was to be issued,
the condition was imposed by the federal
executive that there should be bondsmen in
fuential in the republican" party of the
north, Mr.. Greeley being specially named. En-
tirely as matter of justice and legal right,
not from motives Of personal regard, Mr..
Greeley Mr.. Gerrit Smith and other eminent
northern citizens went on my bond.
In May, 1867, after being released from
Fortress Monroe, went to Canada, where my
older children we're with their grandmother;
my wife, as soon as permitted, having shared
my imprisonment and brought our infant
daughter with her. From time to time 1
obeyed summonses to 60 before the federal
court at Richmond, until finally the case was
heard by CHIEF Justice Chase and District
Judge Underwood who were divided in opinion,
which sent the case to the Supreme Court of
the United States and the proceedings were
quashed, leaving me without the opportunity
to indicate myself before the highest federal
court
After about a years residence in Canada
went to England with my family under an
arrangement that 1 was to have sixty days
notice whenever the United States court re-
CURED my presence. After being abroad in
England and ON the continent about year
received an offer Of an appointment as presi-