The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-10-07
GREENVILLE. SPEAKER
ESTABLISHES PROOF
Mr.. Mckissick, in Speech at Marker
Exercises, Gives Proof of Last
Meeting Of Cabinet.

exercises yesterday afternoon at
tendant upon the unveiling of the
Confederate Marker, erected through
the efforts of the Civic Club to COM
memorate the last meeting of the
Confederate Cabinet, which was held
in the old Burt house at the inter-
section of Greenville and Main
Streets and which is now occupied
by the Stark family. The stone stands
in the street less than a hundred
yards from the house. It bears on one
side a transcript in bronze of the
Confederate Seal and on the other
a synopsis of the history Of the
event it perpetuates. ,.... ... .
j. Rion McKissick, editor of The
Greenville Piedmont, chief speaker
of the occasion, related again the
preponderance of evidence which sub
stantiates Abbeville's claim to being
the scene of the event to which the
monument unveiled yesterday bears
silent testimony. He said: "It seems
to me that it is established that the
last cabinet meeting (which could
be called SUCH was held at Abbeville
and that the last chapter in the gov
ernment of the Confederate States
was written there"
To initiate the ceremonies the Rev.
M. R. Plaxco, pastor of the A. R. P.
church, delivered the invocation.
Mayor j. Moore Mars, introduced
the Hon. Mr.. McKissick, after whose
address the stone was unveiled by
Jane Harrison, the granddaughter of
Col. F. E. Harrison; Caroline Meal
lister, granddaughter of Col. G.
McDufie Miller; Annie Rogers, a
granddaughter Of Robert r. Hemp
hill, a private of Co. G., Orr's reG-
ment Of Rifles and Rebecca Smith,
"a granddaughter of Mr.. W. Joel
Smith, private in Company B.
Orr's Rifesu McGowan's Brigade,
all soldiers of Abbeville, each add
ing his share to her imperishable
glory in the great conflict.
Mrs. F. B. McLane, president Civic
Club, in a short and appropriate
speech, presented the marker to the
city. Her gift was accepted by Mayor
Mars on behalf of the council and
the city. Hatch s band rendered ex-
cellent music throughout the exer-
cises. +" ~.
Occupying seats of honor in front
Of the decorated stand were the
Daughters Of the Confederacy and
Confederate veterans, who attended
in body. :... ....-
The monument, which stands d.
rectly in front of the Baptist church,
is of an excellent quality of granite.
It rests on base of concrete, the
space intervening between the base
and circular outside curbing already
being sodded. On a bronze tablet on
one Of the stones four sides is q
replica Of the Confederate seal. On
the opposite side, facing the old
Burt home, is another tablet bearing
the following inscription:
"This tablet was placed here to
commemorate the last meeting of
the Confederate States Cabinet which
was held in the Burt house near by,
directly in front Of this stone.
"The following cabinet members
were present: jefferson Davis, Pres
ident; Judah P. Benjamin, Sec. of
State; John c. Breckenridge, Sec. of
War; s. R. Mallory, Sec. of Navy;
John H. Reagin, Postmaster General.
"a council of war was held at the
same time with the cabinet and the
following generals in attendance:
W. c. Breckenridge, Basil w. Duke,
J. C. Vaughn, George C. Dibrell, S.
W. Ferguson, Braxton Bragg.
ut was decided after mature de-
liberation and discussion that it was
useless to continue the war longer
and that the government should be
disbanded.
I'M. H. Clarke, acting treasurer,
Confederate States of America, says:
The last cabinet meeting which
could be called such, was held at
Abbeville on the End day of May,