Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-01
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
The LAST TREASURE.
Dramatic Incidents of the Closing DAYS
Of the Confedcrncy.


Dramatic Incidents OF the Closing DAYS
OF tho Confedcracy.
When Gen. Lee surrendered on the
9th of April, 1888, was in Gen. Echols'
cavalry in southwest Virginia on our
way to Gen. Lees army, and at Christ
iansburg we were surprised with the
first intimation Of the surrender by
struggling paroled prisoners on their
way home. Ten. Echols then disbanded
his Virginia troops, but Gen. Basil w.
Duke, who had but recently been exc
changed, took command Of his old Ken
lucky squadron, Morgan's (Kentucky)
command, and made his way south to
Charlotte, n. c. Near Statesvillc, n. c.,
we encountered Gen. Palmer's (FedcraD
command, and our captain, QuirlS, and
Lieut. lianston Hopkins came In con-
tact with scouting party from Gen.
Palmer's command, and in the fight
which onsucd federal Lieut. Campbell
was killed, and this lieutenant was said
to be tho Scrgt Campbell who had
killed Gen. John H. Morgan at Green
Vile, Tenn.
We quartercd in Charlotte several
days during which the most cvcntful
periods OF tho dying confcdcracy oc-
CURED.
was present and heard the last
speech Of the president (Jen Dnvis) be-
before the end came. lie stood ON the
door ''stoop" Of one MIR. johnson, and
told MS, (about scventy-fivc mem that
$1,000 stands of arms surrendered by
Gen Lee were not the southern army,
and that we would make n Thcrmopylm
OF every mountain pass and continue
the war indefinitely" hut before he
got warmed up In his speech Mr.. John
son handed him telegram The un-
usual disturbance caused brcnthlcss
silence and n suspicion that all was not
right Mr.. Davis turned deathly pale
and showed evident signs Of deep emo
ton. Al last soldier spoke out loud,
Read H." Mr.. Davis read In u trembling
voice:
DURHAM STATION, N, g., April ~, Inn
President Lincoln was nssarsinntCd last night
at Fords thcntcr." j. G, BRECKESRpGE
II has been said that we checrcd when
this news was received. but such Is not
the case. Mr., Davis sad spirit was
participated In by the crowd, but when
Mr.. Davis turned To retire into the
house we called loudly, eco on" 60
on, but he never spoke rs president to
confederate soldier again
We remained In Charlotte several daya
for Gen. breckenridge and others Of
the cabinet To come up, and about the
Goth we moved west with an accumulated
cavalry force Of about -four hundred,
but many dropping ont of the ranks en-
route to the Savannah river Whenever
we made halt of any kind Gen. Brcck-
inridge then secretary Of war; would
lie down In the road and fall asleep and
we had hard time Ia awaken him
when ready 10 start His recent worl,
had completely exhausted him.
When we arrived at Abbcvillc, $. C.,
we took charge Of the famous treasury,
with other effects and archives Of the
confcdcracy. We were In the night be-
fore we could go on, and in the hurry
To get of one OF the cnrtouchc boxes
was left ON the platform Mt the railroad
depot w. J.. Cole, u little rcd-hcadcd
lieutenant Of Company ! In Morgan's
squadron, was commanding the rear
guard that night, and came upon the
box and took II up ON his horse In front
and carried IL about fifteen or eighteen
miles to give II To the guard who had
charge of the treasury We all knew
what 1t was and were waiting inpatient
~ for n division, which came In part at
Morsc's landing, on the Savannah river,
about eighteen miles east Of Washing
ton, Wilkes county, TIA Private soldiers
got thirty dollars or thirty.two dollars
in silver. have now twelve OF the
identical dollars got there. Tho officers
got more. Gen. Bragg got five thousand
dollars in gold and grumbled because
he got no more, II was said that
breckenridge got $4,000 but ! think
he got much more In trust, and here
are my reasons for thinking so. While
at Morse's Maj. Clark ladjutant) came
from JeiT Davis ut Washington with an
order about IL o'clock Mt night, and |
had TO take the answer immediately.
Clark did not return. ! reached WASH
ington at about day break, delivered
my message, and was ordered TO wait
for n reply, and as II was the custom
for carriers 10 read dispatches when not
sealed ] read mine, and this ia what IL
contained:
Why has not Gen. - come up with
his regiment AZ escort? The country Is
being secured by marauding scouts Of
the enemy, and | fenr we will suffer
violence at their hands II we meet with
them. JEFF DAVIS, President
! met Gen. breckenridge about four
miles from Washington, coming west,
and delivered the dispatch, when he re.
marked 10 me:
Captain, you must be very tired"
He halted his command and studied
the paper fully thirty minutes. rode
back and looked in the wagon for the
money, but II was non est and some Of
the bravest and most daring men OF our
command were conspicuous by their at
sence-namcly; Charlie Semple, ord
nance officer for lirccklnridgc; Calvin
Morgan, brother 10 j. II. Morgan; VIM.
B Davis, acknowledgement for secretary
Of war; and the Mai Clark already
mentioned.
left about five wagon-loads OF mon
ey on the gallery Of Morses house, and
believe 1t was put into boat and car
ried down the Savannah river and was
shipped via Cuba 10 France. II was re-
ported that Mr. Trenholm was sick and
did not come west Of Greensboro, N. C.,
but ! saw him In Washington, together
with John II. Reagan, J. =, Benjamin
and Braxton Bragg.
Gen. Basil w. Duke was truo TO the
end, and remained with his men until
there were only about fourteen left.
When we arrived at Charlottesville, Ga,
at Alexander stephens dwelling-house