The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-06-26
THINKS SEAL RESTS
AT BOTTOM OF RIVER

VIM. T.. Calhoun Believes Con-
.federate Relic Was Thrown
Into the Savannah.
To the Editor Of The Safe:
/ referred to the fact recently through
your paper that A. S. Salley, Jr., secretary
OF the South Carolina historical commits
sion, was claiming that the seal returned
to Richmond, Va, by Rear Admiral Thomas
0. Selfrldga as the lost seal OF the South
ern C%onfederacy was such. Besides, Mr..
Salley gave a trace OF the seal and con-
Iuded that it was really the much dis
used lost seal.
He says that it has been known since
1873 that the seal was preserved, but 1t is
rather strange il that is the case that so
much silence should have prevailed for
such a long time, when efforts were being
made to trace the genuine seal, and 1t was
much written about. Admiral S~elfridge
could easily have stopped inquiry by al.
hitting that he had the seal. 1t seems
that Col. Pickett, who had what he claim
ed was the original seal, was a curio seller
who wanted good prices for same; and ne
no doubt did give Admiral Selfridge a seal
of the Confederacy as the original, or Dol d
it to him: but, before the fact can be es-
tablished that the n given Admiral Self
ridge Is the genuine seal Of the Confeder-
&C it will have to pc explained how 1t got
away from Abbeville, S. c., where it was
seer in April, 1865, when Mr.. Davis held
his last cabinet meeting in the house OF
Armistead Burt, as explained by the late
VIM. Henry Parker Of AbbeVille, a man
whose word was never doubted by any
and whose character stood high in the
State. What Mr.. Parker says has been
substantiated by others who were pres
ent. What should be done with the seal
was discussed after the cabinet meeting at
which the COnfederacy WAS formally dis
solved, is given by Mr.. Parker. All OF the
lbbeville men named by Ar. Parker have
long since passed away. but, in their day
they gave the same version Of the matter
as does Mr.. Parker. It seems to have
been decided TO deface the Seal and to
throw into the Savannah river at the con-
ference mentioned, and from all that can
be learned that Is its resting place now
It was thought that after being drfaced 1t
was thrown into the we'll on the Burt,
home; and q number OF years later, the
we'll was drawn of and a thorough search
made for it without avail. Mr.. Benjamin
crossed the Savannah river with Dir. Davis.
us did some others OF his official family
II Col. Pickett was at Abbeville at the
time april, 1869 it may be possible that
the seal fell into his hands, but, il he was
not, the original seal OF the C~onfcderacy
lies most probably at the bottom Of the Sa-
vannah river, the western boundary OF
Abbeville county, a fit resting place for 1t
because the first secession meeting was
held at Abbeville, and the last cabinet
meeting as well, and the ~Confederacy dis
solved there.
It would be impossible for me to give
the record Of this matter, asI have much
on the subject that makes most interesting
reading and containing facts that are not
yet recorded in history. Strange to say
that Mr.. Davis, in his account OF his pro-
gress from Richmond to where he was cap
tured in Georgia, never mentioned being
at Abbeville in any way.
Mr.. Parker so graphically describes what
took place, that 1 give his letter to me.
dated June "a, 1908, in part. It will be seen
that he relates facts that were never
known, until / published them in 1913, to
any great extent. Mr. Parker was Of the
greatest aid to me in searching out the
facts OF the matter.
The following Is his letter and 1t is
we'll worth reading:
''Col. VIM. P. Calhoun.
Dear Sir: Your letter Of this date In re-
ference to the last cabinet meeting Of the
Confederacy,' received and I will give you
such information about the matter as /
learned at the time from prominent citizens
Of this city, or came under my own obser-
walton" AFTER explaining how Mr.. Davis
entered Abbeville and when; and that he
went to the Burt mansion, and by whom the
members Of the cabinet were entertained,
the disposition Of the troops and com
manders, he goes on to say: ::
II have heard Mr. Burt speak Of the cab
met meeting at his house in the northeast
front corner room, in the second story, and
at whichIhe was present. The cavalry escort
was commanded by. Gen. Dukes and Gen
Vaughn, l think. While the cabinet meet
Ing was discussing the situation, ind the
question OF futher military operation which
President Davis advocatedin opposition to
| all, or some Of the other members, as stated
by Mr.. Burt, Gen. Dukes arrived and a n
nounced that 1t was useless to consider
any further resistance, that the cavalry
force under him would not fight any long.
or and were throwing away their weapons
"Mr. Burt stated that Mr.. Davis dis
played great emotion, and throwing his
head back, either hid his face In his hands,
or spread his handkerchief over his face
I am not sure o which. AS stated by
Mr.. Burt, after some little time, President
Davis was led from the room, and the mem
bers OF the cabinet agreed Oh final dissolu'
ton. II have heard from Mr.. Perrin anG
members Of his family that the disposal Of
the Confederate seal Of state was discussed
at his house afterwards and he advised thai
the seal be defaced with a Ratchet anG
thrown into the Savannah river, which