Part 97 (2/2)
”Kindest regards to Robert, and thanks for faithful conduct. Love to Johnson and John Wood. Maggie sends you her best love.”
The President and his party reached Abbeville on May first, only to find that his wife had left for Was.h.i.+ngton, Georgia.
At Abbeville, in the home of Armistead Burt, Davis called his last Cabinet meeting and council of war.
There were present five brigade commanders, General Braxton Bragg, his Chief-of-Staff, Breckinridge, Benjamin and Reagan of his Cabinet. The indomitable spirit made the last appeal for courage and the continuance of the fight until better terms could be made that might save the South from utter ruin and the shame of possible negro rule.
He faced them with firm resolution, his piercing eye undimmed by calamity.
”The South, gentlemen,” he declared, ”is in a panic for the moment. We have resources to continue the war. Let those who remain with arms in their hands set the example and others will rally. Let the brave men yet with me renew their determination to fight. Around you reenforcements will gather.”
The replies of his discouraged commanders were given in voices that sank to whispers. Each man was called on for his individual opinion.
Slowly and painfully each gave his answer in the negative. The war was hopeless, but they would not disband their men until they had guarded the President to a place of safety.
”No!” Davis answered pa.s.sionately. ”I will listen to no proposition for my safety. I appeal to you for the cause of my country. Stand by it, men--stand by it!”
His appeal was received in silence. His councilors could not agree with him. The proud old man drew his slender body to its full height, lifted his hands and cried pathetically:
”The friends of the South consent to her degradation!”
He attempted to pa.s.s from the meeting, his emaciated face white with anger. His step tottered and his body swayed and would have sunk to the floor had not General Breckinridge caught him in his arms and led him from the room.
Benjamin parted from the President when they crossed the Savannah River and he had dropped the Seal of the Confederate Government in the depths of its still, beautiful waters.
”Where are you going?” Reagan asked.
”To the farthest place from the United States,” was the quick reply, ”if it takes me to China.”
He made his way successfully to England and won fame and fortune in the old world.
On hearing that the Federal cavalry were scouring the country, Breckinridge and Reagan proposed that Davis disguise himself in a soldier's clothes, a wool hat and brogan shoes, take one man with him and go to the coast of Florida, s.h.i.+p to Cuba.
His reply was firm:
”I shall not leave Southern soil while a Confederate regiment is on it.
Kirby Smith has an army of 25,000 men. He has not surrendered. General Hampton will cut his way across the Mississippi. We can lead an army of 60,000 men on the plains of Texas and fight until we get better terms than unconditional surrender.”
Breckinridge was left at Was.h.i.+ngton to dispose of the small sum yet left in the Treasury and turn over to their agent the money of the Richmond banks.
Robert Toombs lived in Was.h.i.+ngton. General Reagan called on the distinguished leader.
He invited his guest into his library and closed the door.
”You have money, Reagan?”
”Enough to take me west of the Mississippi--”
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