Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-09

cases by soldiers. The most of them were
intercepted, and the collection finally
came into the hands of Edwin NJ stan
ton. who was Secretary of War. Mr..
stanton kept the letters among his prl-
vate papers. and il was only after his
death that they came To the national IL
hrary. | am told that they have never
been published.
These letters were written under con-
GitonS of terrible excitement The Con-
federicy was falling and the sword of
death hung by a hair over President Da-
Wis and his administration. The letters
were written without any idea that they
would ever be published, and they give
perhaps the truest insight into the char
aCters of Mr.. Davis and Mrs. Davis and
show the beautiful relations which they
held to each otheS l will let them speak
for themselves.
The first letter is from President Davis
Just after he had sold out his household
effects i'm Richmond at auction and had
fled southwark TO Danville. Va. Mrs. Da
Wis was with her children at Charlotte.
y. c. The letter reads:
"Danville Va. April =, 1860.
My Dear Wife: | have in vain sought
10 get into communication with Gen. Lee
ard have postponed writing in the hope
that would soon be able To speak to
YOU with some confidence of the future.
on last Sunday | was called out of
church TO receive a telegram announcing
that Gen. Lee could not hold his position
longer than till night, and warning
that We must leave Richmond. as the
army would commence retiring chat even
ing. j made the necessary arrangements
n my office and went TO our house To
have the proper dispositions made there.
N1rE Two bod 9nr L.
but little could be done in the few hours
which remained before the train MAS TO
leave.
Il packed the bust tprobably Of MIR
Davis and gave 1t to john Davis who
offered TO take ii and put il where ii
should never he found by a Yankee. /
also gave him charge OF the painting of
the Heroes OF the Valley both were re-
moved after dark The furniture Of the
house was left, and very little of the
things | directed 10 be put UP. including
bedding and groceries, were saved Mrs.
Omciia behaved just as YOU described her.
hut seemed anxious to serve and promised
10 take care of everything, which may
mean something.
The auctioneer returned account OF
sales SIS, 4oo. Could not dispose OF the
carriages. Mr.. Grant was afraid to take
the carriage To his house etc. etc.
sent il TO the depot to be put on a fiat
car. At the moment of starting II was
said they could not take IL in that tram
but would bring il on the next train. Ii
has not been heard from since.
i sent message TO AIR Grant that
had neglected TO return the cow and
wished him TO send for her Immediately.
Called off on horseback to the depot. l left
the servants TO go down with the boxes
and they left Tippy. Watson came will
ingly. Spencer against my will. Robert
. ALI. V. b. and Ives got drunk
David Bradford went back from the
depot to bring out the spoons and forks.
~gaI. -
Zone out with Gen. Breckenridge Since
then | have not heard from either of
them.
Il had short notice and was interrupted
often and 50 little aided that the re-
suits are very unsatisfactory
The people here have been very kind.
and the mayor and council have offered
assistance in the matter of quarters, and