The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-06-10

happening 46 years ago, this month.
How many do you think, are now EV-
ing who will recall the incident, as l
now relate it? Very, very few. On a
lovely morning in June, just before
the ruddy coursers, the harbingers Of
the coming day, had shot their rays
athvart the Eastern skies, a band Of
horsemen sat, booted and spurred
upon their prancing steeds. Silent
and grim visaged, as upon some mis-
sion Of danger and death, these riders
peered through the swaying boughs
Of the trees, that lined the northern
banks of the Rappahannock. Their
mission was nothing less than the
death Of President Davis. However,
these horsemen were not a band OF
common outlaws or bandits who COM
NIT crime for GAIN but the greater
number Of them, were Of the best
blood and lineage of the land, from
whence they came. These men cali
ed themselves patriots, while their
countrymen styled them martyrs. In
reality they were a body Of fanatics,
who were willing to give their lives
to bolster up the failing fortunes Ola
government to which thes 1ad sworn
allegiance.
After the many disastrous defects
met with, by the Union army, espe-
cially those of Fredericksburg, Chan
cel~lorsville, and other campaigns
against Lee, Lincoln called his cabi-
net together to devise some means
by which to check the ever victorious
armies of the South. Many measures
were advanced, only to meet object
ions, from others in the council.
Stanton, Lincoln's secretary of war,
knowing the unconquering and up-
eKielding spirit of the South, and their
and confidence in the one whom
sk had chosen as their chief execu-
proposed the Staying OF Presi-
Davis, by foul means, as he con-
ed him-the life of the Confed-
s at Lincoln would have none Of
and said to Stanton and his
in his homely way, mo, boys;
South is q part Of u people. We
BFew down the guage of battle, and
Shey picked it up. Now we must fight
%hem fair, there must be no assassi-
gnation." But Stanton was a man OF
low morals and ~yillianous instincts,
and not being sc scrupulous as his
chief, would not SO easily be put OH
by Lincoln's false sentiments, as he
them. So calling a meeting OF
some Of his army officers, congenia1
spirits in dastardy, and explained to
1hep4 the dire necessity Of putting
SBGTIeE out of their path, "for," said he,
Tong as JEFF Davis lives the Union
N jeopardy and u men are daily
Rfing bloody graves by the thous-
Bands. Should he be taken off the
violent opposition of the South would
cease, peace again reign in a united
country. Now who will be his STAY
er?' "I," spoke up a >young man, a
physical giant, conan, Qg in ap-
pearance, graceful, as brave looking
and dignifed as a knight Of old. This
vas Col. Dahlgreen, son of the late
a5rira; of the United States navy OF
that name. And this was the plot
Matched, the most wicked and damn
able that ever disgraced a civilized
nation. Dahlgreen's father, was the
inventor of the Siege gun, that bore
HIS UdmS, d11U al CAO oAASAS ~
Fort Sumter, lined the batteries along
the islands front, and from Die OF
which was fired the historic shot
across bows of the "Star of the West"
7 say this much to show that the
leader of this band Of i'll guided fana-
tics was we'll born, and an officer OF
distinction.
The plan arranged by these des-
perados was that while both armies
were resting from their late trials OF
strength on either side of the Rapea-
hammock, a troop of determined
horsemen were to dash through the
Confederate lines, push aside all OBJ
stacles, make their way to Richmond
(then unguarded by any regular
force) STAY the president and as many
of his cabinet and Southern leaders
as they could find, liberate the TO-
mn 49, -r;oo1o~o than