The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-09
UPON JEFFERSON DAVIS

! responsible mon. I am going some
| where. perhaps to Washington. Ga
perhaps only to Abbeville IS. CO
| don't know. Just as the children seen
/ 10 bear the journey will I decide. Cen
/ cr3l Chestnut seems anxious. as is the
author OF the letter You sent me tc
Charlotte. but oh. so moody that
am wordlcss. helpless. The children
arc well. rs arc Maggie and I. Would
TO God could know the truth OF tho
horrible rumors hear OF you. One is
that YOU have started for General Lee
but have never boon heard Of Mr.. Clay
is here and very kind. He will catch
UP with my train and join mo to-mor-
row.
May God have mercy upon me and
preserve your life for your dear wife
1t was on the day following this
that jefferson Davis wrote:
Greensboro. N T.. April Il. 1855.
Dear Winnie: l will come to you II
l can. Everything is dark. You should
prepare for the worst by dividing your
baggage SO as to move in wagons. II
YOU can go to AbbeviIle. 1t seems best
as ! now advise. II YOU can send
every thing there. do so. I have lin
rcred on the road and labored to little
purpose. My love to the children and
Maggie.
God bless. guide and preserve you
ever prsys,
Your most affectionate.
~. 81 sent YOU telegram, bu.
fear ii was stopped on the road. Gen
cral Bonhan bears this. His horse is
at tho door. md he awaits mo to
write this Again and over yours"
Five days later Mrs Davis Is al
Abbeville She writes dcspairingiy AS
follows concerning herself and her
"Abbevile. April 10, 1865
nv Dear old Banny:
TIE fearful news hear fills ms
with horror. This is that General Lees
army is in effect disbanded Long
/ homes also. saving one brigade. dc
not believe all. yet enough Is thrust
/ upon my unwilling vredence to weigh
/ mo TO the earth.
Where are YOU How are YOU
What ought ! do with these helpless:
! little unconscious charges Of mine
nre questions which | am asking my
blcs freely, for mercys sake. DO not
attempt To put good face upon them
I to the friend OF your heart.
/ Since left Richmond no such
heartfelt welcome has been extended
TO me as the one received here-theS
/ will hear OF no change Of place for the
/ present. and urge me with tears in
their eyes 10 share with them the little
! they can ofer. People call promptly
and seem 10 feel warmly. Mr.. Burt
really seems to feel tenderly To us. pets
the children. and does every Kind thing
/ In his power TO me. Mrs. Burt is more
! than atfectiorate
'JcHv 4. was taken quite i'll on the
cars. and is here sick at Mr.. Tren-
; h0lu's, lives just across tho street He
IS better, but not we'll. He and 10,
both mad Very badly swollen throats
with high fever Joe was nearly we'll
and went on with the train which lefr
here yesterday evening. having ar
rived in the night ] hear ii has beer
stopped nine miles from here by
rumored raid below here do no
know how true this IS. shall wal
your further directions here Do writ
every day, ard make the staff send tn
notes Il do not expect more) by Off
GERS coming this way am 50 un
happy and anxious
The children are we'll and Yer,
happy. play all day. BILLY and jim
fast friends as over. little Winni
the swectest little angelic thing in TN
world-she rode along in the WACO
as We bumped over the horrible road.
making nose at evcrythinr-the chill
dren seemed TO improve under it,
sir Clay passed through here TO
day. but did not stop long enough L
see nc. felt quite disappointed. be
cause lie was so very kind TO me a
Chester and Charlotte: he sent m
word he would see me at Washington
in very fcw days
Margaret sends YOU her best love
little Poilic scuds hers. and the boz
your little pet would know fee
for YOU If She hoped 10 lind you
MAY God in His mercy keep yo
SAFE ana raise up defenders for on
bleeding country prays Your devote
wife
MY own Dear Old B4nny. RI
dreadful news. with Its dreadful con
firlnation, has rendered us Yer
wrctchcd long for one word froI
YOU. will come To YOU for da
or two if this truce is really sol 9
drcn are ali Well Jeff has go,te
we'll
May God in His mercy have YOU i
His holy keeping, prsys your devote
wife.
e. Stow comes 1t that my dca
Joe Did not so 10 YOU as soon a 5 pa
roisu' Everything is mystery"
The ncNt letter Of Jefferson Davi
is very long one. 1t deals not onl
With the military situation, but ais
With the hope which Mr Davis ha
; of escaping TO Europe Parts Of
arr fun of pathos, and. as Will Il
seen W the letter from Mrs. Davi
which follows, il was one Of The fe'
letters which was received the other
having been Intercepted on their wa,
THIS letter reads.
charlotte y. C.. 23rd April, 1865.
My Dear Winnie: | have been de
4 tanned here longer than was expectc
g when the last telegram was sent yo,
ann uncertain where YOU are an
a deeply feel the necessity OF being Wit
4 YOU, even for . brief time, under O,
= altered circumstances.
o Your own feelings will convey