Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-12

Information with reference TO the state
OF the Confederate forces was sought by
this government from all
Je6 Davis sources nifty years ago.
r.L In addition to the reports
SO"~A' OF spies. the statements OF
refugees from across the lines were
eagerly scanned. In The Star of May 5,
1852. is an account Of a telegram received
that day by the War Department from
Fredericksburg stating that colored
man had reached the Federal headQuar-
tiers from the other side of the Rap
pahannock announcing himself as Jeff
Davis coachman. He repeated scraps of
conversation overheard by him while
driving the president Of the Confederacy
about in his carriage. One OF these was
between Davis and Gen. ]. e. Johnston,
Davis disappearing Of the latter's retreat
from Manassas. Later a conversation oc-
CURED between Gen. Johnston and Mrs.
Davis. In which the former said that IL he
had not left Manassas when he did Nc
Clellan would have advanced on him and
cut him to pieces. The coachman also
overheard a talk between Davis and DR..
Gwin. former United States senator from
California. in which the Confederate
president explained his plan to resist the
march OF the Federals from Fredericks-
burg long enough to enable him to get his
army out OF the peninsula into Richmond
and out OF Virginia. The coachman also
represented that Mrs. Davis had said
that the Confederacy was about played
Gut; that Il New Orleans was really TAX
en- she had no longer any interests in the
matter. as all she had was there; that II
was great pity they had ever attempted
to hold Virginia and other non-cotton
growing states. According to this man.
MI and Mrs. Davis had all their books,
clothing and pictures packed ready to
II, az snort notice: Confederate money.
ne said, was not taken when 1t could be
avoided. Mrs. Davis herself being refused
when. in payment for something she pur-
chased. she offered a ten-dollar Confed
crate bill.
X \
In The Star Of May O. 1862, is a de.
scr1ption OF conditions at the old Capito
n.n;..,s Prison on LIST street east
pr;sor grounds. which made thu
prediction that this ole
building would become famous In history
on account Of the conspicuous part II
was playing In the great national drama
The article proceeds:
The number of prisoners of war and
political prisoners at present is about ons
hundred. all of whom, with the exception
of two in the hospital, appear as healthy
and clearly as any other collection OF
the same number OF persons to be found
anywhere. Each has his bunk cot 1oot
mattress, blankets, sheets and bed cover
| which are as clean as those of any hotel
There are two large bathing rooms, SUD
piled with hot and cold water, for free
! use. which, of course. have much to d.
Init h h. IL y n
and good spirits Of the prisoners. Ths
kitchen is supplied with q large hote
range, and the provision room Is full OF
as good food as is to be found In that OF
any hotel. though perhaps not quite Sc
varied-fresh meats. esculents of different
tea. fresh bread, etc. The dining room /.
supplied with tables. seats, plates, knives
and forks and drinking cups. The dis
pensary reflects INFINITE credit on Brigad,
Surgeon Stuart and his hospital steward
MIR. Wood. the superintendent OF
the prison. to whose capital management
the prisoners are indebted for their man,
extraordinary comforts, has also charge
OF some $50 contrabands in q separate
Building nearby. who are well provided
for and as comfortable as that class o,
persons can be made to keep themselves
He employs many of them in useful labor
to the great advantage OF the. govern
ment. AS an instance. we may mention
at work burying the multitude Of govern.
ment horse carcasses lying on the out
skirts of the city. The yards for exer-
else are kept as cleanlX as a gentleman
lawn should be. and seem to be enjoyed
by the prisoners with a keen relish. On
the whole. this old Capitol prison con.
trasts wonderfully indeed with the prison
in Richmond in which. since the begin.
ming OF the rebellion. Unionists have been
confined