The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-02

the mower TO defend the country ana prT
feet itsef from capture, "nen 'i'.1'as
disln,egration took place. executive pow
or ceased, ard all hope Of the cause ""'
lost except by the most ssnSuine.
II was my privilege to De WIN VIZ
President and Cabinet from the 'N'sne
ton Of Richmond until within iew Jay
OF the capture Of himself ana idnily,
portion Of his STAFF and the sole ~@D'"e'
officer remaining With him.
As the Government slowly fell 10 pieceS
AS quartermaster and commissary OF ths
bartv. and member or MS mintary ia'ni.
lv. | was naturally thrown nearer ans
nearer 10 his person, until below san
dersville. Ca, on the 9Th or 7th or May.
1865. giving me my mat orders, ne SEM
ne on with my train or supplies 10 fior.
ida, he said. abandoning Tor the presen
everything on wheels" ard left 70 tenn
porariiy Join and protect his family.
The history or the capture OF MS party
and family has been written
DANNILLE TO GREENSBORO.
The government was established tor
week at Danyillc. Va. where the various
departments were opened. and routine
business taken up.
Tho surrender OF tho Army OF Northern
Virginia necessitatod retirement 20
tgieflSIofn. y. &. nc NNiA'ttNk %
this hitherto invincibic army came with
the paralyzing shock Of a sudden earth
quake. sfoutly denied by many a thing
Impossible. but repeated dispatches AZ
last left no room for doubt of the awful
disaster.
Then came the breaking % some OF tho
bonds which held the government togcin-
or and some who had followed 90 this
point seeing that they could be Of no
real service. and might be an incum-
brance. sought tho President 10 express
their profound grief. and seek his advice
for their own actions. These he rcceiv-
ed with his quiet dignity, advised them
with warm friendship. and set them free
70 private life and duties
Then I saw for the first time tho man.
His record as soldier. legislator. and ruler
OF what was for four years a powerful
nation. IS a part of the history OF the
country. North and South, and need not
be touched on here.
At Greensboro. under his orders through
Col. VIM. Preston Johnston. A. -. c.,
! made up team Of wagons with sun
plies and ambuances for baggage. and
after a short stay. took the road for Char
lotte. y. c.. whore Cabinet meetings
were held. and communication kept MP
with Johnston's army ard others sun III
the field.
when the truce between Johnston and
Sherman expired the line ~ march was
taken up FOR Abbeville. $. C., and finally
- Washington Ga. whore the closing
scenes OF thu Confederate Government
came on ith May. 1860. with the winding
up Of tho last remaining department.
that OF the Treasury.
Courage fortitude. and an none nai NOT.
however len the Head of the government.
for the Intention was 10 reach the Trans
Mississippi Department via Florida and
Cuba. ana carry on the war for inde-
pendence until the great river could DO
crossed again.
BUREAUS ABANDONED.
All along the route the various bureaus
Of the departments had been abandoned.
aud the President left Washington Ca,
with n portion Of his staff Col. L r.
Lubbock. A. -. G.; Ex-Governor OF Texas;
Col. John Taylor Wood, \. ID. c.; col.
VIM. Preston Johnston. A. -. g.. also.
Col. CnonDurn, a naval adiuiant; Capt
Girvon Campbell. and eight scouts my
train with its qutrtermaster and a small
hon. John II. Reagan Post
masterGcnera and Acting Secretary Il
the Treasury, and myself caught up with
the party next morning az sunrise, after
travelling all night.
Tp 20 Washington. Ga. the march nad
no sign of "a retreat and was made lcis-
urely day by day. An escort or cavalry
was furnished az Greensboro. but 10 was
kept generally on parallel roads. FROM
Washington. Ga, the idea was 90 reach
the Mississippi Department with
safety and by steady travelling, as no
speed could be made.
from Danviie on saw the government
with rs personnel. slowly but surely fall
ing 10 pieces Grief. sorrow. and often
indignatl0n was felt and expire. el by
the immediate party amog themselves,
but the face Of the Great Chief was se-
rene. courteous. and KIND always. be-
quilting the tedi IN OF the weary miles
with cheerful conversation, "reminiscences
and anccdOtes-as a gracious host enter
tanning his guests-reviving the spirits.
STRENGTHENING the hearts and courage Of
an VINO were with him.
A horseback ride from Greensboro. N.
e.. 10 FAR Southern Georgia was no holt
day excursion. with the dusty ROADS,
weary riding ana generally coarse rare.
yet he made it one. in part, IN many pleas
amt ways 10 those VINO rode with MIN,
and it viii never leave thclc living menu
Dries.
I never heard one hasty or petniant ex-
precision escape MS Ups. YET an hAe"
how MS proud heart was suffering. so
weighted with anXieuos for MS beloved
people. who had given the pick and HOVER
OF their families for the cause.
Admiration. love. and intense personal
devotion % him grew day by day, until
LAYING down life for him would nave teen
a willing tribute.
with all the WEAKNESS Of the months
,o,roof IN the road were found many
passing compensatiOns. Tho people.
thoueh they felt and knew that the end
OF an their hopes was near were tfno
and hosritable Always. houses new open
20 give what measre cheer they held.
TOUCHING DEMONSTRATIONS.
Through the little towns we passed. mo
ladies' Cwho never gave mp ana me cnn-
iren Hooked around us with flowers eager
10 see. grasp the hand. and bless their
president. GOd-speedins MIN on hts way.
I'm every house which sheltered him
ar night be left blessing. with cheerful
words of faith that God would not desert
his people. and left with ms entertainers
renewed f0rtitude ana strength TO meet.
endure ana try 10 overcome the trails
soon to come upon them ana with fntA-
eriy advice az 20 rncir action.
And so ~ WAS an tns way to ADnerifio.
:. c.. where the whole town was thrown
open a. tho party. And ar washington,
Ga. whore lhe bitter end was known 20
be- reached the welcome. though fearful,
was fun or love. warmth, ana tender
ness
Dr. ard Mrs Robertson. who received
IN their h0spitable home. the President
and his immediate following. lavisnod ev-
cry attention that thoughtful. loving. pa