The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-08-23
STORIES OF OUR SOUTHLAND.
Gen. Robert Toombs, the Unrecon
structed Rebel.

y
war, when the hour of danger arrives,
sse,Ainyariably found holding some
bomb proof position and have also
taken care to keep their own sons
outside the, danger zone, and require
men who had. no hand whatever in
provking hostilities to do the fight
INF. - -4s- J>E.-
But there are exceptions to all
rules, and Gen. Robert Toombs, of
Geargias<Mas an exception to the
absxenalned class, of skulkers.- Long
before even South Carolina seeded
he was a rampant secessionist, and
while in congress nothing delighted
hirn more, than to- defy and, enrage
the members > from. New 70 England.
They never fargaxe.. Eoombs for: de-
eiaring that he intended some daygto
stand ON the sunlmiti,of Bunker Hill
monument and eallsthe roll of his
slaves; and. after the surrender he
was hated by the North next to JEFF
fersoa Davis. and great efforts made
to capture him., s
And the father of Mr.. Davis and
Bob Toombs are of the same county,
Wilkes. This is one Of !the most in
teresting spots in Georgia or. the
South and rich in historic interest.
In Wilkes was fought the; battle Of
Kettle Creek and. which turned the
tide in fayorEof the struggling colon
ista. Here the wagon train, follow
ins; Mr., Davis and carrying the gold
end silver belonging to- the Confed-
sraey and the Richmond banks, while
encamped at night, near the town of
Danburg, was raided and looted by
Msbanded Confederate soldiers as the
Esderal troops were in close pursuit
arid would have captured it. And in
Washington, the county: town of
Wilkes. jefferson Davis and his cabi-
net held their last. meeting, the
Southern Confederaey was ;disbanded.
and MIR. Davis, with his family and.
afeW tried and true friends, began
hs.journey to the seaboard, to be
ekptured while eneamped at night in a
Pine forest near Irwinton, Ga. So it
WIS almost within a stones throw of
tHefhorne of Toombs, whose overpow-
ering eloqnence> die. so much to. bring
on the war, that the sun of our Lost
Gas.se set and that stainless banner,
the Stars and Bars, sanetihed with
the bloedSof the. chivalry of our
Southland, was farled forever;
ssGen. Ben Heard, who, owned: that
historic house Isince demohshed) and
was present at that last, meeting,
shsw8d me- this room and had marked
tie spot where Mr.. Davis chair steed.
Itwas q handsome, old. style, sthree7
Story brick building, and that lastesad
meeting was held on the upper floor.
gsshaYe also visited the scene. of Mr..
Dagis CAPTURE and noted the bullet
ssarfed pines These spots to me
seemed, hallewed ground. :; There. is
not, one. word of truth in the publish
edsstoryp thai: Mr.. Davis had on 8 wo77.
mans dress when captured He had
retired. and had donned isgnight robe
as had always been his custom. -
but / am wandering from my sub.
jAet.sa: When war was declared Bob
Toombs Was among the first to enlist
andsfought yaliantly until the sur
render of Lee. at Appomattox~
81 did afots kdow. Gen. Toonbs per-
aanally9until he was in the decline Of
lie, but >hee- was then a remarkably
handsome man, and would be singled
cot in any assembly. We lived in
adjoining counties, aRda.Gen. Toombs
being an. eminent lawyer attended
couftatWiee every year, besides being
asfrequent visitor to my town of Lex
ington.
In his younger days Toombs is
s&id to have been one of the hand
soonest men Of his day, with erect
and imposing stature. To Lee and
his, army as a cavalry commander
Toombs was what Prince Rupert was
to Charles / and Murat to Boneparte
--undaunted courage combined with
dash and most picturesque bearing.
He was one of the most eloquent
and convincing speakers his state
ever produced, and in defense Of a
cause he believed to be right and
facing an antagonist his words were
charged with. vitriol and fairly bis
tered the party assailed. The sever
est arraignment of public man was
at what is known as the Brush Ar
Dor Meeting" in Atlanta where