The herald., 1896-02-09
WAR RELICS OF THE ARMY
Mansion of Jefferson Davis
During the Civil War
A Room for Each State-=.The Old Time
Receptlons--.Tfe Prey of Relic
Hunters

States military commanders of District
No. ae1 AZ public grammar school,
the Jefferson Davis mansion, known
the eorld over as the "White House of
the Confederacy," was thro~n open as
confederate museum last Monday.
There we're no formal exercises, no
speeches and nothing suggestive Of the
confederate patriotism which is part
Of the nature of southerners in general
and Virginians in particular. The build
ing, which has been undergoing fire.
proof repairs for some time, was
quietly thrown open for public in
spection, and lunch served to ali who
came between o'clock in the afternoon
and 10 o'clock at night.
To give some idea of the value at
tached to any part of the mansion by
relic hunters, man recently walked
up to the front entrance, and with the
utmost deliberation commenced to take
the door bell off. There were some
painters engaged at work on the inter-
ior. No one with authority was on
hand, and no one questioned the
strangers motive. He removed the
bell, and it was not until the next day
that the loss was discovered by some
of the members of the advisory board,
who made vigorous search for the
relic hunter, but to no purpose. Since
then wire coverings have been placed
over all the knobs, locks and other
things that can be readily removed
from the outside of the building.
The White House is one of the oldest
and handsomest residences in the city.
It is situated at the corner of Clay and
Twelfth streets, or what was known at
the time it was occupied by President
Davis as the Court End of the city. 1t
was built by Judge Brockenbrough, q
distinguished Virginia lawyer. The
manteis, of which 80 much has already
been written, were imported from Eu-
rope. and are of Carrara marble, carved
in caryatides, supporting shells filled
with flowers. 1t is three-story house
with basement. A square porch, with
tall pillars, fronts on Clay street, and
in the rear is portico, which runs the
length of the house. The portico is
unusually wide, and is supported by
the top of the second story. 1t was
from the top of this porch that little
Joe Davis, the presidents eldest son,
fell and was instantly killed during the
first year of the war. The windows of
the two parlors and the large dining
rooms open upon this portico.
The house was bought for $4,000 by
the city OF Richmond from Mr.. Lewis
ID. Crenshaw and presented to President
Davis at the time the seat of the con-
federacy was removed from Montgom-
cry to Richmond. Mr. Davis declined
to accept it as gift, but consented to
make it his residence during his life
time.
On the right, as one enters the
quantity shaped hall through the front
door, is small room, which leads into
the large reception room on Twelfth
street. This was Mrs. Davis private
sitting room.
The story goes that Mrs. Davis had
decorated this room with bright colored
chintz coverings to the furniture and
all her little knick-knacks and personal
belongings. Soon after the family had
settled in the house Mr.. Davis came to
the threshold of the room, and, leaning
against the door frame, with pipe in
hand, conversed with his wife, who
asked him why he did not come IN and
sit down.
With that Difference and respect that
he invariably displayed toward women,
Mr.. Davis replied that the room was
her own, exclusively, and he could not
intrude without an invitation. The
invitation was freely given, and the
room became the favorite resort of the
presi lent from that time. 1t was there
that the private conferences took place
between himself and General Lee when
important steps were to be decided
upon.
Mrs. Davis always kept on hand in
this room a small quantity Of pure cof-
fee-even at the time when the family
of the president were drinking parched
rye as substitute-and this coffee was
produced and served to President Da-
Wis and General Lee during their con-
ferences.
Once week receptions were held at
the mansion, which was thrown open
to the public, the beaux from the
sence gathered in great numbers. Dull
care and want and thought of the NOR
rows scanty fare were laid aside, and
in hope and gayety these brave ren
and fair women passed many long re-
membered hoors. There, amid the
gathering clouds by which the little
life would ever be adowed, amid the
rattle OF sword and spur, the daughter
Of the confederacy" opened her soft,
dark eyes, unmindful OF the travail OF
the m mother, father and country
Upon the entrance Of the federal
troops into the city. after the evacua-
tion, Gen. Weitzel and his officers rode
to the house and constituted it the
headquarters Of the northern troops.
Canby and Ord also used the house in
this capacity during the period in
which Virginia passed through the
stages of conquered province and
District No. l.
In 1871 the city fathers allowed the
property to be used as a schoolhouse,
and it became the central school, and
so remained until February, 1890, when
the Hollywood Memorial Association
devised the plan Of establishing con-
federate museum.
On February IA, 1890, the Confederate
Memorial Literary Society was formed
and was chartered in the following
May. In June of the same year the
city council promised that as soon as
site was obtained for the erection of
school to accommodate the pupils
y