The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-24
Wednesday, May "a, 1899.
The Last Cabinet Meeting.

The News and Courier calls attention to the
fact that friends OF the town Of Washington
Georgia, are claiming that that town, and mol
Abbeville, was the scene Of the last caolne'
meeting Of the Confederate Government.
This newspaper has always believed thai
Abbeville was entitled to the distinction
There Is no doubt that some of the members
OF the Cabinet were at Washington on theiI
trip, but it seems clear that Abbeville is the
place where the last cabinet meeting was
had.
correspondent Of the New York Sun, had
this to say years ago:
The almost deserted condition OF Abbeville
on that day. when Jefferson Davis sought the
hospitable shelter Of Mr.. Burt's residence,
bore mute but eloquent witness TO the proph
e,S Of ass ssS
In one OF the sitting rooms. They held thelr
last consultation, discussed plans that were
discussed only to be abandoned. and hnally
had better try to escape. Then they examined
such papers as they had with them, and when
the hour of twelve struck the ashes Of nearly
all Of those papers were smouidering IN tne
glowing Goals Of the big wood fire.
The following statement was published in
the Press and Banner in 1886. Our recollsc
tion is, the facts stated were in part learned
OI buEI, duu Vi dli lu0 Olhcio hO oSSSASe
to their correctness.
Our older citizens believe that this was the
place where the last cabinet meeting was
held, and from extracts reproduced from files
of the Press and Banner that belief is we'll.
founded:
"Mr Davis the President OF the Southern
after the fail OF Richmond, arrived in Able
VILE about the first day Of May, 1855. about lC
A. NJ, and left about u p. M. He had with
him five of bis Cabinet officers, Gen. Brecken.
gan, and General Lawton. Mr.. Davis was en-.
tertained by Hon. Armistead Burt whom be
had known as Congressman IN Washington
General Lawton was entertained by Judge
Monroe, q refugee from Kentucky. The other
, four members Of his Cabinet were entertained
in the house of Hon. Thomas G.. Perrin. The
last cabinet meeting was not held In Mr.. Fer.
rims house, bdt council OF war was held IN
the house OF Mr.. Burt. At this meeting Mr.
Davis who had with him two brigades Of cav.
airy, commanded by Generals Vaughan and
Dukes, urged that stand should be made al
this point, that reorganization OF the army
might be attempted. and the Con federacy not
entirely abandoned, al least until such terms
might be secured from the United States Gov.
ernment as would protect the life and proper
ty OF the supporters OF the Southern Confed:
eracy. he was. however, overruled by the
council after free consultation. General
Breckenridge occupied the library Of Mr.. Per.
until a late hour OF the night In preparing
and signing discharges for such soldiers as ap-
piled for them, and they were many.
This incident Is related OF the meeting: Mr.
Davis after stating his views, asked General
Dukes II his troops could be relied Oh to make
stand at or near Abbeville. Deneral Dukes
replied that he feared not The same ques.
ton was asked Of Generals Vaughan and
Bragg. and the same reply was received from
each. Mr.. Davis then rested his head against
the back OF his chair, and covered his face
with his unfoIded handkerchief. Mr.. Burt
arose, took Mr.. Davis by his arm, and con.
Quoted him to bis chamber. About twelve
o'clock Of the same night the Presidential
party resumed their retreat. Reaching the
house OF Rev. ]. o. Lindsay, d. D., near Mt.
Carmel, Mr.. Davis found Mrs. Davis who had
preceded him. Mr.. and Mrs. Davis drank q
cup OF coffee with MIR. and Mrs. Lindsay, be-
fore taking their departure, and 30 Mr.. Davis
toek his last meal in Abbeville county with
DIR. Lindsay, just before he crossed the river
into Georgia.
Again: In the Press and Ban nner Of 1886, we
find the following statement. In speaking OF
Secession Hill 1t was aEid:
It was In full view OF the splendid oaks
which adorn and beautify that ground that
the Presidency of the Southern Confederacy
held the last council OF war.
It was here that the failure OF the Confed-
crate arms was formally acknowledged.
1t was here that the Confederate govern
ment collapsed and the remaining officers and
men were released from military duty.