Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-31
j. i. III. CURRY.
SAW THE BOY SOLDIERS DRILL.

Where Captain McCabe First Mot the
Head of the Confederate Government.
To the Fiuor Of The DisDaich:
You ask mo tor some personal remi-
nlscence" Of our Confederate President,
Jefferson Davis.
Alas 1 must answer with the Roman
" IU.ftup Uidt.'
saw President Davis but thrice during
the four years of war. The first time
was when he came with single stan
officer t. inspect the battery CIhrd
Company of Richmond liOwItzers) i'll
winch had recently enlisted as II private
soldier. This was IN May, 1861, very soon
after his arrival in Richmond. We were
encamped on "Chimbora2O Heights. and
had lust come back from morning drill.
suddenly, " nlie we were lOunglng IN our
tents under the hill. our busles sounded
"the assembly" The company was quick
" formed and we were " dOuble-qUlcked "
to oar guns parked on the plat EAU. there
sat Mr. Davis on his horse. and beside blm
his staff officer. who had "a moment before
informed our CAPTAIN that the President
had heard much OF orr battery and de-
sired TO SEQ our actual proficiency III drill.
You may be sure we did our best; and rs
the battery bad for some weeks been drill
ing morning, noon, and night under Lieu
tenant Abner S,uead, OF tho old army "
afterwards JackSOn's Inspector-gonerall +,
we went through every evolution with the
rapldlty aud precision Of regulars. Mr..
DaVis's face evidenced his great surprise
and delight: and at the end of the drll.
when We formed up in front OF the guns.
he rode up, aud IN clear, vibrant voice,
spoke few simple words OF praise that
went straight TO our hearts.
Across all these tuInultuous years can
still hear the ringing cheer that went up
from those brave young voices a5 he turned
and rode away.
THE PBEsIDENT At A TABLrAU-pARTY.
The second time saw HIM WAS in the
winter of 1862 1t WAS ut "taOleau-
partyn given ut the house of Colonel Ives,
Of tho Presidents stat. H3 STAYED but a
short time. but remember being capti-
waited by the grace aud dignity OF his
charming manner. Beauty " stuart was
there. too. with oil his fresh laurelS thick
upon him, resplendent III n brand new
hshting-iacket and surrounded by a
bevv Of handsome women. all eager 10
show their admiration for the dashing
cavalier. The lady whom ! escorted TO
this brilliant entertainment now hand
some matron Of Richmond with a son IN
the army of the United States was con-
ceded to be one of the most beautiful girls
in that galaxy of loveliness, and so 1t hap
pened that her escort enjoyed some OF the
reflected glory" IN kind greetings from
these distinguished men.
CAUSED HIM TO SMILE.
The third time saw him was under far
different circumstances. Tins was rev
DAYS after the battle of Cold Harbor III
June, 1864. | was then a1lutGnt OF Pc
grams Battalion in A. L. HILLS corps, and
had been sent into Richmond by my colo
mel. willie" Pegram, on somo Official
business. Riding back TO camp III the late
evening with Captain Hale Houston ian
other old rhird-COmpany man or the
U0witZers) of Mclntoshs Battalion of ar
tillery, again saw Mr.. Davis. Some COM
rade had called out that I'VE fellows on
Turkey Ridge had better look out
that Mister Grant would be after
our guns IN q few days again." and
him bigger licking than he got last
SUNDAY" (the day o. the battle of Cold
Harbor). Just then | heard voices close
behind VA, and. turning IN nv saddle, re-
cocnized the President on horseback, ac-
COMMANDED bv Colonel Northrup. Houston
end both wheeled cut of tho road anu
sa!uted and the President returned the sa-
lutte most graciouslv. i saw smile on his
face. hsf amusement. halt satisfaction az
our boy,sh confidence in =" Mars Roberts
ability to take care ot Mister Grant"
He was superbly mounted. and rode
with the easy grace and perfect seat OF the
trained horseman.
That was the last time ever saw him,
IN the soft twilight of that calm June
evening. as be rode through the biyouacs
of his troops flushed with recent victory.
DAVIS AND LEE.
After the war. there appeared Life OF
Lee" in which the author sharply ar
ra,gned Mr.. DAVIS and his policy. My
father. who knew the President. and en-
admired him, wrote to Mr.
DAVIS, as sharply criticising the author.
As every scrap OF information. however
trivial, touching this pure and dauntless
leader Is OF interest to our people. trans