The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-29
A CONFEDERATE MEMENTo.
One of the $4,000 Divided at the
Close of the War.
From the Kansas CIV Times

Close of the War.
From the Kansas Civ Times.
Down in the bottom of an old buckskin
shot bag which reposes in the depths of its
owners iron safe lies an old Mexican dollar
OF the date Of 1850. 1t is the property of
Z. d. Coleman, of No. 1901 " est Twenty
fourth street, and while in itself it contains
nothing OF an unusual interest, it is asso-
clated with incidents in the life of the
owner that to him render IL of inestimapIe
value.
The bit Of silver first found its way into
the pocket Of Mr.. Coleman one bright sum
mer day In 1865, shortly after the surrender
OK Lee at Richmond. Ii was one OF the last
dollars owned by the confederate states of
America, portion of the S7o, 900 divided
between the 1000 officers aud men that
formed the remnant Of the army which was
surrendered at Washington, Ga.
mr. coleman was a cavalryman in that
tattered array which laid down its arms
at w ashlngton, and to me yesterday he de-
scrlbed the scenes attending the division of
the last money OF the confederacy.
EARLY In July, 1860, when | was but a
mere boy OF 10, / enlisted in the Twenty
nth Tennessee infantry. One year later
exchanged into the Eighth Tennessee cav
airy, and until the CLOSE Of the war fought
In that regiment For four years we CAM
paigned from place to placc, engaging in
many battles and enduring untold hard
ships and privations. When Richmond
fell we were in North Carolina, and imme-
ately we marched to Greensburg and there
joined the fragment of Gu army that was
escortlng Jefferson Davis and the members
OF his cabinet b place of safety.
Our little army consisted OF four
6rtgades. under the command of Gen.
Bragg. My regiment was attached to De
brells brigade. and Vaughn's, Dukes and
Humphrey Marshall's hrigades made up the
balance OF our force. Under vigiant guard
we were carrying $40 900 in gold and silver.
IL was under the charge Of Col Morgan.
Ever since the beginning of the strug
gle the men had been paid in confederate
currency, and as the war progressed the
currency deprecated in value to such an
extent that at the end it took hatful Of
bills to buy plug of chewing tobacco.
Food was scarce, and the troop Of which |
was member was literally clothed in rags
Ammunition there was in plenty, however,
all the material we needed to kill OF the
other fellows, and but mighty little with
which to Keep ourselves alive.
las we began the march to Washington,
Ga, the mutterings OF discomfort which had
previously prevailed among the men grew
In volume until the commander began to
rear r4Ot. Inc men knew That THIS money
was being carried along and they deman ed
that it be divided. and in case of refusal
they threatened to take it anyhow.
After crossing the Savannah river a
conference was held between our COM
mander, Gen. Bragg John c. Breckin-
ridge, Secretary of War; Col. Morgan
and Judah 2. Benjamin. They came
to the conclusion that the money had best
be divided, and when a little shanty
on the side of the road had been reached,
the army was halted and the division took
place. A census was taken and the money
divided equally, officers and privates sharing
alike. Each received $26 %, and to my lot
fell twenty-six Mexican dollars and d United
States Is cent piece. the first .thardn money
l had seen in four years. Our entire regi-
ment was paid in Mexican dollars, others
were paid in quarters and Others lstill re-
oeived their portions In dimes. sAhonas few
obtained gold, but the yellow boys were
mighty scarce in those days.
Two days atterwsrd we surrendered at
Washington, Ga, and were pardoned
Tucking the money away In a safe place
started on my tramp back to my home in
Tennessee, which l reached after many
hardships This Mexican dollar l saved as a
memento of four years of the most severe
priyations, and value 1t too highly to ever
part with it. 1t serves to remind me of old
times. of battles won and lost and of the
last days OF the confederacy."