The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-25

Calhouh' no Has PrONed AbDe-
viIIe's Claim to have Been the
Scene of the Last Meeting of the
Confederate Cabinet.
1t was with great interest that | read
the communication of Gen. S. w. Fer
guson in The Sunday News of Septem-
Der 9Th in reply to claims made by me
on the behalf of Abbeville as being the
place where the last cabinet meeting
of the Southern ~Confederacy was held.
Gen. Ferguson throws much light on
several disputed points and settles
them. it seems to me, definitely.
At the same time he does not agree
with Postmaster General Reagan and
some others who were present. 1t Seems
strange that SO many diverse opinions
should be given by those who were
present. l guess that 1t must b the
we'll known fact that if a dozen men
witness a fight no two of them would
agree on the details.
Gen. ferguson has gwen a correct
report so far as he saw it. Not being
a member of the cabinet and not pres
ent in the Burt house all the time, hav-
ing his duties in camp to attend to,
and everything being t~opsy-turvey. it is
not reasonable to suppose that he saw
and heard everything that was going
on.
He says: The statement that Presi-
dent Davis was overcome at the coun-
Gil Of war and had to be conducted
from the room, on receipt of the report
Of the officer commanding his guard, Is
entirely a mistake. No such incident
occurred"
Il was present and the only one to
make an unfavOrable report. and Woul
most surely have observed and remem-
bered the incident. I had never heard
OF such a report having been circulated
until l read he article of Mr.. w. P.
Calhoun in the Abbeville Press and
Banner. which has led to this letter."
The article referred to was a part OF
n that l had written to the Chron-
icle. Of Augusta, Ga, and was one Of q
series written for that paper by me in
reply to those written by Mr.. Emmett
Callum and Mr.. T. M. Green. of Wash
ington, Ga.
L doubt if Gen. Ferguson saw those
letters, and he bases his criticism on a
detached portion Of n of them copied
by the Press and Banner. My letters
contained contributions from Gen.
Reagan, Col. Breckenridge, Mr.. NJ. H.
Clark, Mr.. VIM. H. Parker. of Able
Vile, S. c.. and others. I would be
very much pleased to have Gen. Fer
guson's criticism of the whole, as he
would then have much more light be
fore
never said that Mr.. Davis was over
come o~1 1e1 from the room at Able
Vile during a council of war. as claimed
by Gen. Ferguson, 1 said from a cabinet
rleetir~ after the records had been
made that the troops could not be re-
lied on.
Gen. Ferguson admits that after the
council Of war there was a cabinet
meeting at which he was not present
and. of course he is not authority on
what took place then.
The editor Of the News n Courier,
Mr.. ]. c. Hemphill, n myself both
natives Of Abbeville. have heard that
report since we were small boys. 1t
was common talk and has appeared IN
print many nan times sine 1865.
While Gen. Ferguson was not pres
emit, Mr.. Thomas c. Perrin, the Hon
Armistead Burt and other Drominen,
men were present at the cabinet meet
inc and they vouched for the incident
and, on their authority. the statement
has been published, and never before
has anyone denied it or questioned it.
1t was an easy matter for Gen. Fer
guson to have not heard Of such an in
NlISAG- - AZ W. Af"'N Will IN 80
emphatically that it was entirely q
mistake and that no such incident oc-
Cured.
Had he read all of my articles and
what Mr.. Parker and others have said
he would not have been quite so en-
phatic in contradicting Messrs. Perrin
Burt and others. who ~-oted that they
were present and that Mr.. Davis was
led from the room. as told by me.
I intend to have the whole matter
published in the form of a brochure
} for preservation.
Before doing so I will send Gen. Fer,
guson an advanced cop and 0sk for 8
full criticism, which l Will publish with
the rest.
1 am seeking the truth in this matter
| to establish the claims of Abbeville
} since Washington, Georgia, has beer
making such strenuous claims, though
: fruitless ones. that the last cabinet
meeting was held there.
WIN. P. CALHOUN.
: Edgefeld, September IA 1903.
GEN. FERGUSON NEVED CLAIMED
/ TO HAVE BEEN AT CABI-
: NET MEETING.
Since writing the foregoing I hav'
received a letter from TIE Hon. WIN
Henry Parker, of AbbeVille. S. c., il
which he says:
I think his ~'ferguSOnS) account YER
favorable for our claim. While pres
ent at the council of however.
think, he was not present at the 'cabl
net meetin-" which according to Mr.
Burt and Mr.. Perrin. took place a
night, and not at 4 o'clock p. M"
That agrees with my ideas. about tn
matter exactly.
Then Mr.. Parker goes on TO a
Jane Bryan, wife Of Jim Bryan. wa!
here lately and made a statement o.
the meeting between President Davi
and Mr.. Burt, in the hall, after Nh
Davis was led out Of the room wher'
H. nnhinnt nnontinm unr halI whicl