Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-01-06

flight OF Louis XVI. from tho French capi-
! tai than any other event In history. When
| morning broke they were between nfty and
sixty miles from the late capital.
A halt was now called and after refresh
ing themselves and the horses variouh plans
were discussed. The departure had been 50
precpitate that little thought had been given
to anything except to get to place OF safe
~ as soon az poseble. A majority had
supposed. up to that time. that Mr.. Davis
desire was TO get out OF the country as soon
as possible, but he had conhded HE plans
to a few They were TO re-eatahlish the
Government In an inland town In LOUISIANA
or Texas, He now expressed strong de-
slro TO press on with all haste 70 the state
last named. He was oyerruled, however,
and II was decided 10 go to South Caro-
Ina the frsi State that had seeded. II was
thought very likely that General Lee and his
whole army might DO captured but In that
contingency II waA argued that Generals Joe
Johnston, Dick Taylor and Kirby smith
were sun In the field. It was believed that
their combined forces amounted to at least
$4,000 men. and with this az nucleus
Davis affected to believe that the Confeder-
acy could be again rallied and victory
snatched from defeat.
Maps were studied and tho route carefully
laid out. But there was little hope In the
party. Ths bravest aud most determined
person Of all was probably Mrs. Davis, who
AkAAA van AAAA VI ANlls ANAAtHaH AHNAAsN
she knew less OF tho real situation than
any one else. Mr., Davis talked but little
and when he did say anything II was to
express confidence In the future OF the Con-
federacy and belief in a bright future
for 1t.
On April 3 the news was received OF the
repulse Of Lees army and the surrender Of
Petersburg. Other bad news followed and
tho retreat became little better than dis
orderly rout. The followers that the Com
feierato President had believed would stand
with him TN death began to melt away one
after another. Some left silently and sui
l0nly with no word OF goodby others offered
various excuses, sun he was not dlscour-
aged. The same calmness that displayed It.
eeif when he turned his back on the capital
stu remained, and displayed Itself in mlon
and gesture.
At Abbeyvlle. s. C.. he decided to make
a final attempt 10 restore things. council
was called. Five Drlgadler-Geaerals were
present Thelr entire fighting force was not
more than 500 men. To these Davis ap-
peaied TO make one more effort to save tho
Confederacy, He especially appealed 10
Generals Bragg and Brecknrdge. who
were Of tho council. He el0queatly adj
dressed them for a half hour, reviewing the
reverses that had bsiallen the army, but
Insisting that there sull was hope IL an
would DO brave. lie insisted that tho panic
under which the people were now laboriug
would soon subside. and that then thoy
would reilly more vigorously than ever. He
said that Il only needed decided action 10
turn victory to thcm.
The Generals listened with interest, and
They all said. at Us useless" They all
said they would fight 10 the last 10 protect
his p1r5on He replied imperously that no
World listen TO no plan that had for us
purpose his own safety. After a pause he
SAID, VITA much show Of feeling: "Alas,
that | should have lived to gee the day when
al the friends " the South are prepared
70 consent to her Depreciation" and with
OUT another word he strobe away. and the
last formal council OF the Southern Com
fcl"rgcy broke up.
But Davis had not yet given IN. Tho
next Gay ho Issued a proclamation fr5m
Danylile, In which he urged the peonle Of
lhe south % continue tho struggle 10 the
bttoT end In th5; proclamation occur these
"ofaai Relieved from the necessity OF
gu5rdiHg particular points our army will
De ifse 10 move from point to pJ!nt and
srlbe tho enemy In detail far from his
nl1e' Mf. Davis hluse!f. subsequently.
wa led 10 den2mlnEts this proclamation as
'ovsr sluGI'ue."
Ons after cuo,her Tho remaining Generals
of Tie Con'.deraey surrendered. and from
Npril 9 to May 10 he wandered abou. from
place 10 place, trying. 10 doubt, TO get out
OF the country aud seek refuge In England.
tia wife had preceded him 70 q point near
liWin7ylll', Ga, where. on tho last date
m92uodel, the whol1 party vas taken by
Colonel Prltotsrd Of the United States Army
and small band 81 cavalry.
GEORGE HnnEnT-nN