Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-06
HOW THEY ESCAPED.
GENERAL JOHN G. sRs cklNRlpcE AND
geo. JUDAH p. BENJAMIN.
An Interesting Scrap of Confederate War
History-Ths Flight of Two
Notable Ststeamen.
Written for tho pispatcn.,

iederacy. In everv stage of tho long con-
hict between tho States. from it's inoipi-
enoy TO it's final termination. they were
conspicuous In the military and civil de-
partments OF the Confederate Govern.
ment,
But how General John O. Breckin-
ridge and secretary-of-state Judah p.
Beniamin escaped from tho country,
nithough they accompanied Mr. Davis in
ms retreat and the latter was captured by
federai troops, is not generally known.
In the summer of 1874 General Breckin-
ridge and myself on one quiet sunday of
ternoon happened 10 be sitting alone on
the portico Of the Ballard Hotel, Ia Rich
mond, Va. | asked him. IL not unpleasant,
1t would be gratifying to me TO hear from
his own lips an account Of his escape after
the downfall of the Confederacy, and how
It occurred that he became separated from
hr. DAVIS aud Mr. Benjamin. With a
graceful wave of the hand acknowledging
my recognition of him he replied, II will
cheerfully do co." made memorandum
of his narrative which have ever since
preserved.
DAVIS ISFLyYIBLB.
He Said "Ifollowed Mr. Davis long dis
tsnce on the RETREAT. sharing with him the
discomforts and perils Of the journey. He
was as heroic aud resolute amid reverses
as he wa, grand and unapproachable as a
leader when fortune smiled upon him.
But after accompanying him several days
became satisfied from the geography Of
the country that Mir. Davis had selected
the most dangerous route, and TO continue
under his guidance capture would
DO certain and inevitable. He was in
flexible in his determination to follow
the line of retreat he had mapped out for
himself. decided to pursue different
course, and We bid each other friendly
adieu. Taking with me Mr.. Benjamin and
. few trusty men l struck of for the
Florida coast. Soon after our separation
Mr. Davis, as / predicted, was captured.
PASSING rsDEEAL soLDIxRs.
ut was not long after leaving him beforeI
met some soldiers of the Federal army.
They did not recognize me, supposing my
party was doubtless Confederate cavalry
privstes returning homo, and nothing
special occurred to cause me TO appre-
bend my arrest or safety. Ipassed squad
Of them in gallop, but no demonstration
was made agninst,me and my few followers,
and they seemed to regard NJ as unworthy
of any particular notice. These were the
last raw"
Then remarked: "You rode consider
able distance to travel through strange
country. and you must haye encountered
some dangers, anu hsrdshlpsF"
KENTUCKY EIPrrIJsCEs.
To this General Breckenridge replied
" Having been familiar in early life with
hunting and travelling in the night In Ken
lucky, l recalled the experiences Of my
youth and adapted myself to change of CIR
cumstances, travelling tncognttO with my
faithful and fearless followers. In COM
pa-atively short time, considering the dis
lance, during which nothing specially in
teresting or perilous TO relate TO you oc-
CURED, We reached the coast in safety.
SAILED IN SMALL BOAT.
1--WE then procured q small boat and O
supply of provisions, which were easily OBJ
tanned. as was supplied with some gold,
which was q temptation the boat-owner
could not resist. had small pocket com
pass, which always carried with me, and
with Captain J. TAYLOR Wood and two
others in on open boat we started
for the coast of Cuba. After two
days and three nights of tho most
delightful and propitious weather we
landed within one mile of the point we
started out for, our only guide being my
pocket compass. Captain Wood acct
dentally fell overheard during the voyage,
but was soon hauled in and appeared not
the least alarmed or Disconnected. lie
was one of the bravest of men. After
reaching Cuba found friends and accom-
modations; remained there bret time,
and then went TO Paris and eventually to
Canada The rest you are no doubt fa-
miliar with"
NOT AN YoUrsTnIAH.
But what became of Mr.. Benjamin 7"
l asked.
He remained with me only day after
leaving Mr. DAVIS. Horseback riding was
d great struggle with him. He was alto
gother unaccustomed to it. Mr. benjamin
was q remarkable man, could adapt him
self 70 any society or circumstances, except
roughlng it in the saddle. he could speak
French, German. and other Languages nu-
emily.
AsAJEw MERCHANT.
- learned after leaving US he travelled
through the country as Jew merchant
endeavoring to reach Charleston, 5. o.,
from which port he sailed tor Europe
BIS APPEARANCR CHANGED.
General Breckenridge WAS exceedingly
pleasant and courteous during tho CONVEX,
sation, but increasing age, disappointed
hopes, and his various experiences IN life
had perfectly changed his appearance from
tina well-proportioned and erect physical
manhood and handsome and striking ply
sioenomy which excited my admiration
when | was q college student IN Washing
ton city in 1928, where | often saw him
preside with such splendid ability and
courtly bearing as Vice-Prosident over tie
United States Senate.
MAJOR "BUcKp ALLEN.
An incident occurred upon the conclu-
sion of our conversation which may de-
serve a passing notice. A farmerdressed
gentleman passed by US going, into the.
hotel. General Breckenridge asked Inc Il
that was not Major William Allen. OF
Clarernont, on James river. l informed
him that was the name Of the gentleman:
He then called him back, introduced
himself, and thanked him. for some
act of hospitality extended by. Major
Allen TO himself on ono occasion down on
James river many years before. A short
conversation followed and glass OF Ken
tuckv Bourbon was proposed, when dis
tinctiy remember General Breckinridgee
said; III thank you, cspnot accept, az i
am 60 constituted that If were to partake
Of one glass would not stop wanting more
fnr tyvo w-sksn I. ID. j.
CHAsE OlrY, Va. August az, 1891
.,
.C.ptain John Taylor Wood wss grand
nenhsw of General Zachary Taylor and men,
heT on the stea Of President Jo1efson DAVIS;
al. father was at one tme surEeon-Gonorei
United states army. His sister married pros-
sian baron. lie was 81 last accounts etsaseu III