The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-10-10

the people Of the South: We would
be compelled to live on country
already impoverished, and would In
vite its further devastation. We urged
that we would be doing a wrong to
our men if we persuaded them TO
such course; for if they persisted
in conflict so hopeless they would
be treated as brigands, and would
forfeit all chance of returning to
their homes. -
He asked why then we were still
in the field. We answered that we
were desirous of affording him an
opportunity Of escaping the degreda-
ton of capture and perhaps a fate
which would be direr to the peoipe
than even to himself, in still more
embittering the feeling between the
North and South. We said that we
would ask our men to follow us un-
til his safety was assured, and would
ask our men to follow us until his
safety was assured, and would risk
them in battle for that purpose, but
would not fire another shot in an
effort to continue hostilities.
H'. 49, 80 = 'a ].
"He declared, abruptly, that he
would listen to no suggestion W.i;eh
Regarded only his own safety. He ap-
lpealed eloquently to every sentiment,
and "reminiscences that might be sup
posed to move Southern soldiers, and
urged US to accept his views. We re-
manned silent, for. our convictions
were mistaken; we felt responsible
for the future welfare Of the men
who had so heroically followed uss,
and the painful point had been reach
ed when to speak again in? opposition
to all that he urged would have ap-
preached alteration. For some YhEn-,
utes not a word was spoken. Then
Mr.. Davis arose and calculated BIT
terly that all was indeed lost. he had
become very pallid, and he walkedso
feebly as he proceeded to leave the
room that General Breckinridge
stepped hastily up and offered His
arm. 80, IL
"T have undertakento to narrate very
bfify what occurred in conferences
which lasted.for two or three hours.
Generals Breckinridge and Bragg
took no part in the discussion. After
Mr.. Davis retired, both, however, as
sured US Of their hearty approval of
the position we had taken. They had
forborne to say anything, because
not Immediately in command of the
troops, and not supposed, therefore,
to know their sentiments so well as
we did. But they promised to urge
upon Mr.. Davis the necessity and
propriety OF endeavoring without
further delay to get out of the coun-
try, and not permit other and serious
complications to be produced by his
capture and Imprisonment, and. per-
haps execution.
1T yas determined that we should
resume our march that night for
Washington, Ga, one or. two days
march distant, and orders were issued
by General Breckenridge to move at
midnight RI -.
"Tt was reported by the Macon
Telegraph, reprinted in the Winns-
boro Tri-Weekly News of June 1,
1865, that: When Mr.. Davis arrived
in Abbeville he discovered that there
was universal disaffection among his
escort and they were determined to
make no resistance in the event they
were attacked, no matter how great
or small the attacking force might
be. But little Or no effort was made
to induce them to follow the fortunes
of their chosen and once revered
L
leader. They all chose to remain be-
hind except six noble Kentuckians:
who manfully remained by him.
Referring to the situation at Abb,
beville, Secretary of the Navy NAL
Iory said: The escort was here col
lected or so much of it as was left
| and upon conversing with its Of
ficers, Mr.. Davis was candidly ap-,
prised by some of them that they
could not depend upon their men.
fighting, that they regarded the strug-