The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-05-04
THE CONFEDERATE TREASURE.



of wood and water, considerable
number of soldiers, who may have
been convalescent inmates of hospl'
tai or stragglers, gathered about oul
train. Their actions seemed to be
prompted by idle curiosity, but when
we had steamed away about hun"
dred yards we understood their inten-
tions better; for they had detached
the hindmost car, which contained a
part of the specie. Seeing what was
up, steam, was reversed and we quick
ly got back, Just as the mob was about
climbing into the car; which, how
ever, they thought better Of when
they saw fifty rifles leveIed at them.
Without further incident. we reach
ed Charlotte, y. G., where | saw Pres.
Davis for the last time. After depos-
iting the Treasure in the Mint and the
boxes, &c, in another building, we
were assigned to a hotel where we
were well entertained for a few days,
until disquieting rumor caused us to
again take charge of the Treasure and
start for Chester, S. e. From Charlotte
Mrs. Pres. Davis, her children and her
sister, Mrs. Howell, were of our party.
AS it was the intention to go across
the country from Chester to railroad
leading to Abbeville, about forty
miles, the Treasure was transferred
from the cars to a train of wagons !;
and, as we'll as I can remember, the
trip was made in two days. At the
end of the first day we camped near an
old church, which Mrs. Davis, her
children and sister occupied during
the night. The next day, while
latter dark, we reached Abbeville
where Mrs. Davis and party, and her
brother, midshipman Jeff. Howell,
babe us good-by. According to rumor
among us, it had been the intention
of those in control to deposit the
Treasure in the vault Of a bank al
,Abbevllle, but that the authorities of
the town had objected, fearing that it
might be the occasion of attracting a
raid from the Federal cavalry. Be
this as it may, after remaining day
or so, the Treasure was again loaded
into wagons, as at Chester, and trans
ported across the county to Wash
ington, Ca, forty-five miles, if I re-
no ember. The next morning after
our arrival, we took the railroad and
reached Augusta, Ga, the afternoon of
the same day. At Augusta our train
stopped near freight depot where
were number of tracks, along which
was quantity of cord wood. For sew.
eral days or week the train remained
here, guarded by heavy detail OF
midshipmen. I'm the mean time a
body of infantry, known as the Gal
vanized Yankee Brigade" made up
of deserters from the Federal army
caused much anxiety by encamping
alongside of us for the sake of The
wood for their camp fires.
But during their couple days stay,
feel confident they never suspected
the nature of our freight, otherwise
they would not have hesitated to over
power us and help themselves.
Though we were guarding millions,
the most of us were not only penni-
less, but so short of rations as to make
it necessary for each one to cater for
himself as best he could. Nor were
those who had a little money much
better off than those who had none,
for so greatly had it deprecated that
it was necessary TO count out one hun
dred dollars in Confederate money to
pay for dinner at hotel-even then,
fifty cents or less in specie would have
been much preferred.
Shortly after our arrival at Augusta,
rumors began to reach us that both
Generals Lee and Johnson had surren-
dered; but, as telegraphic and railroad
communication had been so much in
terrupted, it was impossible to learn
the truth. Nevertheless, as each later
report seemed to de confirmatory, the
hopeful began to despond, and very
soon many of our party were ready to
believe that our cause was lost. When
matters had reached this point, sew
eral midshipmen in my hearing dis
cussed the propriety of organizing a
body from our number to seize upon
the Treasure, arguing that we were
more entitled to it than the enemy,
who would be certaiu to capture it if
we did not; but the doubt as 10 the
fate of the Confederacy and the fear
of killing some Of their friends, put an
end to the scheme. TO risk so much
| treasure from day to day in box cars,
guarded by few midshipmen at Il
time when men were despairing Of the
success of their cause, looked like
madness; yet, as matters then were, it
was the best that could be done, for
the Augusta officials--so it was said
had refused to receive it, fearing like
those of Abbeville that it might draw
upon them raiding party. Indeed,
as there was rumor that such a body
had already scented the tempting
prize and were rapidly advancing,
their objections seemed reasonable.
And I think it was this piece of news
also which caused our return to Wash
ington, Ca, and subsequently,, to Alb
beville, S. g., where I last saw the
Treasure, it then being my impress
ion that former objections had deem
set aside and it had been allowed to
be placed IN the vault of bank.
AT Washington, two midshipmen
| (whom I will call Craig and Trent, J
and I, received from Lieut.. Parker Gin
definite" furloughs with orders to re-
port our whereabouts to the Secretary
of the Navy. So, instead of stopping
at Abbeville with our friends, we
started for our homes in Virginia.. AT
ter tiresome walk across the country
we reached Chester where were num-
Der of freight cars loaded with shells
and other army stores which were be-
ing hastily destroyed-no one here
seeming to be in doubt about Gems.
Lees and Johnson's surrender. We
had been on short rations, and as some
hours would elapse before freight
train would be starting for Charlotte,
n. c., we prevailed upon a lady to
make us some soup from good-sized
cake of compressed vegetables ofnorth-
ern manufacture, which chance had
thrown in our way. When ready, we