The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-10-23
JEFFERSON DAVIS
PRIVATE SECRETARY.
THE STORY OF A FAITHFUL
SLAVE.
How Ben Montgomery Saved
the jeff Davis Plantations.

the jeff Davis Plantations.
II. Il. Wilson in October Success
Whom, in 1885, Jefferson Davis
later president of the Confedoracy, lef
the regular army, his elder brothor
Joseph, gave HIM Brieriield, splen
did plantation of two thousand acre
on the Mississippi rivor, q few mile
below Vicksburg, and number O
slaves. These latter included grow
ing negro boy called Ben Montgomery
whom Mr.. Davis made his body ser
want. The lad was unusually lntelli
gent, and Mr.. DAVIS saw that in hin
were capabilities not common to the
African race. He taught him to read
and then to write and soon he became
an admirable assistant. IIo was no.
only Jefferson Davis's body servant
but also his private secretary, book
keeper, and general factotum. His
penmanshlp was beautiful, and his
plantation bookkeeping, in it's simpli
city and accuracy, was the envy and
admiration of the countryside. He
know more OF the business of the
Davis brothers, except themselves,
than anyone else.
After Jefferson Davis entered poll
tics, Ben Montgomery became still
more useful. When the master was
on his long campaign tours, or in Wash
ington, Montgomery had authority to
open lettors not marked as private,
and to answer them; he had power, in
writing answers, TO transact any busi-
ness necessary for The plantation by
this time Montgomery had come to
have absolute charge of tho BrierIield
estate. lie did not interfere with the
management of the negroes, or with
anything else under the overseel's Is
purview; but the general business of
the place he transacted without con-
snlting anybody except his mastor.
When Jefferson DAVIS left Washing
ton, in 1861, after resigning his Sc i
in tho Senate, he went to Brierlold.
His estate was his sole maintainan. @.
1t was certain that, during the i'm
pending struggle, he must be absent
he loave i'll charge CT the estate? Final
ly Joseph Davis asked, Why not
Ben Montgomery2" and the sugges-
ton was adopted. The usual white
oversecrs were left in charge of the
farming operations, but to the slave,
Ben Montgomery, was instructed the
financial part Of the business, under
the direction Of his master. The cotton
crops Of 1861 and 1862 were good, and :,
although thero was sOme trouble about
marketing the crop Of the latter year,
it was finally sent to New Orleans, and
later, warehoused in Liverpool, to be
sold when the money it might bring
would be needed. There were not
more than four hundred ana fifty bales,
for the South then needed corn and
food supplies moro than 1T did cotton,
and 80 the land was devoted largely
to food crops. Then, early in 1868,
came the Emancipation Proclamation
of President Lincoln. and with it to
the South, the equally dangerous Act
Of coniiscatlon. This latter Was put
into execution, wherever possible, with
great energy. Treasury agents, armed
with all the forms of law, or without
them sometimes, seized all property
belonging to the list of suspects as soon
Union armies.
Thcu, for the first limo in his life,
Ben Montgomery asked permission TO
visit Richmond.
Dear Marso jeff" ho wrote, 81
want to go to Richmond to sec you,
and l want to 60 right away. There
is something that l want to tell you
that dare not wrlto, 80 do please lot
me 60 TO Richmond at once.''
Mr.. Davis could not imagine what
the negro had on his mind, but wrote
him to come, and sent him the neces.
sary permit for slave to travel.
"Marse jeff" said Ben, when he
arrived at Richmond and had an op
portunity to talk with his master, "yor
know Mr.. Lincoln has issued what he
calla an emancipation proclamation,
and with it another proclamation con
rebels, as he calls them. Now, they
arc going to confiscate your property
just as soon as they get chance. Sup
pose you and Master Joe sell me you
estates, and do it bcforo the Yankees
capture our country"
"Why, Bcn," Mr.. Davis said, ego,
are slave and can't hold property IL
mississippi"
" That is true," said Ben, I" but yo,
can set me free. Make out two set
of free papers. Give me one set an,
keep one yourself. Then make out
third paper, which shall say that unde
certain conditions the free papers or
to be cancelled"
The conditions were that the Fed
erals should capture the city of Vlcke
burg, and tho Davis estate which Ia
18 miles below.
"Why, Ben, that's an excellent idea
Let me think it over for day or two,
Mr. DAVE said.
He talked it over with his brothe
Joseph. 1t was important to the,
that they should have tho income {
this estate. If the Federal soldier
should capture Vicksburg, about III
frat property they would conflscaI
and plunder would be the Davis estat
But, if this property belonged to
negro, freed before tho capture
Vicksburg, then, under the Emancip