The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-14
rRrA>nRE cirIrRrD.
Money Belonging 10 Richmond Banks
Taken by Coufederst" soldiers.


Taken by Coufederst" soldiers.
The following remarkable tale appeared
in the Cincinnati Enquirer as special
dispatch from Chattanooga, Tenn:
A curious chapter Of hitherto unwritten
history of the civil war came out here
to-day in au interview by the Enquirer
correspondent with Judge Lewis Shep-
herd. for many years attorney OF tho
Southern railway. and during the war an
officer iu Naughns brigade. tie said.
when the Confederate Government
abandoned Richmond as its capital an its
archives and treasures We're sent. under
strong military escort. 90 Charlotte. y.
G. The banks of Richmond sent away
their treasures under the protection of
the same escort President Davis and
his Cabinet also came 20 Charlotte and
established temporary headquarters.
Before they reached Charlotte Rich
mond and Petersburg had fallen, and Lee
had surrendered. and in a very few days
Sherman and Joseph T.. Johnston had
agreed upon am armistice by their cele-
hrated paper. under which IL was proposed
that peace should Doe made and that the
seeding states should resume their rcld-
tions 20 the Government
"This treaty IF 10 had ben carried out
would have ohviated reconstruction under
what is known as the reconstruction acts
of Congress. for it covered the entire
subject of restoration of peace and return
of the Southern States 20 the Union. and
OF their senators and representatives TO
Congress. This armistice was repuliated
by President Andrew Johnson and his
Cabinet on the ground that these military
commanders had exceeded their powers
in undertaking 10 settle the terms ON
which the crring states might resume
their political functions with the General
Government.
"lt may be admitted that these gem
erals went q little further than they
had the right TO go. but it cannot Doe de-
MED that they displayed a profound
statesmanship in their comprehensive.
yet tcrse settlement of "a question which
afterward so sorely disturbed Congress.
SO nearly caused the conviction upon im-
parchment of the President and so COM
pietely bankrupted the Southern States.
Mr. Davis being advised that Presi-
dent Johnson had brought am end 10 the
armIstice. and repudiatcd the sherman
Johnston treaty Immediately began ef-
forts 90 escape the capture Of himself and
the treasures of the Confcderacv. Tho
gold and silver cf the Confederacv and
that Of the Richmond banks was loaded iu-
20 wagons. and the President Of the Con-
Tolerate States. with his Cabinet Minis
tiers. started South with &c. guarded by
three brigades of cavalry-Dibbrelrs
Naughn's and Dukes
when we arrived al Washington Ga.
it became apparent 10 Mr.. Davis that be
could not with such a retinue escape the
vigilance Of the Federal cavalry. which
was rapidly closing i'm ON him from every
direction so the money kegs belonging
10 the Government were opened. and the
silver was divided among the boys. each.
without regard TO rank. receiving $3.50.
and they were granted Indefinite fur
loughs. Mr. Davis. with his family and
a much smaller escort. pushed ON further
South. and was q few days afterward.
captured by tine Federals.
Meanwhile the officers OF the banks
sought the aid OF the Federal command
ers 10 return their specie 10 Richmond
and from them obtained a permit to re-
turn with II 10 Richmond and also a guard
OF soldiers 10 protect it on fits return trip
some OF the officers and men OF Cen
erai Naughns brigade became appr.sed
that train Of specie was being carried
North under Federal escort and they
jumped 20 the conclusion that DO was tho
property Of the Confederate Government
which the Federals had captured They
concluded that thei four years OF hard
service for the Ccnfederacy entitled them
TO share OF this gold. provided they