Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-09-13
old ABBEVILLE
Section is Very Rich In Historic
Interest.
REFUGE OF JEFF DAVIS In FLIGHT
Larry CAN'T Recalls Some Notable In.
oidents Connected WSh the Last
Days of the Confederac

Abbeville, s. c., to Washington, Wilkes
county, Ca, was the first settled in our
up-country, and is rich in historic in
terest. The early settlers were Caval-
iers from England and French Hugue-
nots, and the characteristics Of these
chivalrous people are to this day
noticeable in the inhabitants, and this
section witnessed the rise and fall OF
the Southern Confederacy. A little
wooded knoll in the town Of Abbeville
Is known as Secession HILL for on
this spot was held the first meeting to
demand that South Carolina secede
from the union. 1t was on the road
dividing these places that Jefferson
Davis traversed while escaping from
the Federal troops and in Washington
he held the last meeting Of his cabinet
and the Lost Cause went to pieces.
Old Abbeville district has given to
the country some of its greatest states
men and warriors, John, Calhoun,
George McDufie and other men who
made the history Of our Republic were
born in Abbeville. In the town stands
the only Old Scotch Covenanter church
perhaps in that state, IL not in the
south. 1t has smoll congregation and
who follow in the footsteps Of John
Knox. And in this old district is the
best preserved relic Of the Revolution
ary war-the old Star Fort at Ninety
Six and the tunnel leading thereto. The
walls of the fort are covered with giant
oaks, and the tunnel is as perfect as
when first dug. You can even read the
names Of the Colonial soldiers cut by
them in the clay now, hard as brick.
And in this territory are found four
dead towns, once prosperous business
centers. Bordeaux was built by French
Huguenots after their expulsion upon
the revocation of the edict Of Nantes.
At the confluence CT Broad and Sa-
vannah rivers once stood three popu-
lous and rival towns, Petersburg, vi
emma and Lisbon. They were fine
fl ontier cities and business centers
when Augusta was small hamlet. But
today sunken spots mark the sites Of
wells and cellars and scattered brick
bats are all that remain Of these dead
towns are now cotton fields, as Is also
old Cambridge, near Ninety-Six.
After the surrender of General Lee
at AppomattoX President Davis began
his retreat to the seacoast, to escape
the pursuing Federals. In passing
through Abbeville, he spent the night
at the beautiful home Of his friend.
Col Armstcad Burt, and crossed the
Savannah at Vienna. On the Georgia
side his troops left two large bronze
Napoleon, guns, and for years they re-
manned on the side Of the road.
Mr.. Davis was guarded by a regi-
ment of soldiers, among them some
gallant Keptuckians. Mr.. w. S. Hol-
man, now a prosperous business man
Of Athens, Ca, was among the num-
ber and to him am indebted for
much valuable information. Mr.. Hol-
man was from Bowling Green, KY,
md served gallantly through the war,
having followed Morgan on his Indi-
ana raid.
The president Of the Confederacy was
followed by string Of wagons loaded
with specie, mostly belonging to the,
banks Of Richmond, and which he was
endeavoring to save from the enemy.
On arriving at Washington, Ga,
with several members of his cabinet,
it was found that Federal troops had
about surrounded his band. Mr.. Davis
and his cabinet met in thu third story
of a large brick house, belonging to,
General Heard. 1t was decided to dis
band the Confederacy and the party
separate and escape as best they could.
Gen. Heard was present at that last
meeting and pointed out to me the
exact spot occupied by Mr.. Davis
chair. This old building was demol-
ished to make space for a modern
courthouse.
After this last meeting of the lead
ers of our Lost Cause, President Davis
made his way to the sea5oard where he
intended embarking on vessel and
escaping to some foreign and friendly
country. But the Federal troops were
hot on his trail and he was captured
near Irwington, Ga. visited this spot
and saw the bruised pine trees riddled
by Federal bullets. Many falsehoods
have been told about the capture of
Mr.. Davis, one being that he was dis
gused in woman's dress. This has
been proved to be false. Mr.. Davis
wore a nightrobe, as had been his GUS
tom on retiring. The following extract
from an address by gifted southern
lady, Miss Mildred Lewis Rutherford,
of Athens, Ga, and whose pen has
done such great work in vindication of
cur Southland, is here appropriate.
Miss Rutherford says:
Jefferson Davis was born in Chris
tian county, KY, on June 3, 1908.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Harden
county, KY, February II, 1909. They
were born 10 miles apart in the same
state-both men Kentuckians Of south
ern birth.