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CSA Postmaster General's safe coming to Fort Worth
- Thread starter K Hale
- Start date
Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XXVI. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1898.
Retreat Of The Cabinet.
Described by President Davis' Confederate Secretary.
[From the Richmond, Va., Times, July 2, 1896.]
THE GREAT CHIEF'S NOBLE CONDUCT.
He Cheered His Faithful Adherents With Words of Encouragement--Little Children Blessed Him and Brought Him Flowers.
[This deeply interesting narrative was published on the date of the laying of the corner-stone of the monument to President Jefferson Davis, in Monroe Park, at Richmond, Va., July 2, 1896. Captain Clark has been a constant supporter, and is a life member of the Southern Historical Society, and has been meritedly highly successful in his progressive business enterprises.--ED.]
A notable personage who comes into considerable prominence at this time is Micajah H. Clark, of Clarksville, Tenn., who served for a period as acting treasurer of the Confederate States of America, and again as confidential secretary to President Jefferson Davis. At the time of the evacuation of Richmond Mr. Clark was acting in the capacity of chief and confidential clerk of the Executive Office. Under the orders of the Confederate President, he packed up all the papers of the office, and left with Mr. Davis and his Cabinet. At Danville the departments were reopened and a temporary capitol was established there. Upon receipt of dispatches, April 10th, conveying the news of the surrender of General Lee's army, the President and Cabinet retired to Greensboro, N. C., where General Beauregard had his headquarters. The party afterwards returned to Charlotte, remaining there during the truce declared between Johnston and Sherman. At Charlotte the President gave Mr. Clark a staff appointment with military rank.
While in Richmond Mr. Clark was, like all clerks, in the Local Defence Troops. Beginning as a private in the company, he was assigned to duty in the Medical Purveyor's office. From Charlotte he went with President Davis and his party to Abbeville, S. C., where the last Cabinet meeting was held. From that place the party repaired to Washington, Ga., where the Confederate Cabinet dispersed, Hon. John H. Reagan alone remaining with the President.
MR. CLARK MADE TREASURER.
The treasury train caught up with the party of which Mr. Clark was a member at Washington, Ga., and the President appointed Hon. Mr. Reagan, the Postmaster-General, Acting Secretary of the Treasury, and Mr. Clark Acting Treasurer.
An interesting account of the winding-up of the Treasury Department is published in Southern Historical Society Papers (vol. ix, p. 542, et seq, by Ex-Acting Treasurer C. S. A., and Confidential Clerk Executive Office, C. S. A.)
Mr. Clark's record as a Confederate is unique in some particulars. As he was on duty watching papers of the Confederate Government until December, 1865, he never gave his parole.
His commission as Acting Treasurer of the Confederacy bore the last official signature of the President of the Confederate States. The commission is now on deposit at the Confederate Museum here. All the gold and silver bonds and contents of the Treasury were turned over to the Acting Treasurer, without bond being required of him. President Davis honored Mr. Clark with two personal visits to his home at Clarksville, and on one occasion declared his high admiration for him, saying that Mr. Clark was the last man on duty and was faithful to the end.
[excerpt]
BUREAUS ABANDONED.
All along the route the various bureaus of the departments had been abandoned, and the President left Washington, Ga., with a portion of his staff. Colonel F. R. Lubbock, A. D. C., ex-Governor of Texas; Colonel John Taylor Wood, A. D. C.; Colonel William Preston Johnston, A. D. C.; also Colonel Thorburn, a naval adjutant, Captain Given Campbell and eight scouts, my train, with its quartermaster and a small following. Hon. John H. Reagan, Post-master-General and Acting Secretary of the Treasury, and myself caught up with the party next morning at sunrise, after traveling all night.
Up to Washington, Ga., the march had no sign of a retreat, and was made leisurely day by day. An escort of cavalry was furnished at Greensboro, but it was kept generally on parallel roads. From Washington, Ga., the idea was to reach the Trans-Mississippi Department with safety, and by steady traveling, as no speed could be made.
From Danville on I saw the government, with its personnel, slowly but surely falling to pieces. Grief, sorrow, and often indignation was felt and expressed by the immediate party among themselves, but the face of the Great Chief was serene, courteous and kind always, beguiling the tedium of the weary miles with cheerful conversation, reminiscences and anecdotes--as a gracious host entertaining his guests--reviving the spirits, strengthening the hearts and courage of all who were with him.
A horseback ride from Greensboro, N. C., to far Southern Georgia was no holiday excursion, with the dusty roads, weary riding, and generally coarse fare, yet he made it one, in part, in many pleasant ways to those who rode with him, and it will never leave their living memories.
I never heard one hasty or petulant expression escape his lips, yet all knew how his proud heart was suffering, so weighted with anxieties for his beloved people, who had given the pick and flower of their families for the cause.
Admiration, love and intense personal devotion to him grew day by day, until laying down life for him would have been a willing tribute.
With all the weariness of the month's retreat, on the road were found many passing compensations. The people, though they felt and knew that the end of all their hopes was near, were true and hospitable always. Houses flew open to give what meagre cheer they held.
[excerpt]
AND THE END CAME.
And so the end came. History records the achievements of Jefferson Davis as soldier, statesman, and Chief Magistrate, but to those who saw him and knew him, in those gloomy days when the Southern Confederacy was dying the death, will say that his grand spirit rose the highest and shone the brightest, and his Christian character was more fully exemplified during hours of adversity and defeat.
And those he blessed with his presence will hand clown to their children's children in unrecorded traditions, the precious and tender memories he left with them. It is my great good fortune to share this gracious legacy.
MICAJAH H. CLARK.
Clarksville, Tenn., June 22, 1896.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confederate Military History, Vol. 1
The Civil History Of The Confederate States
Chapter X.--The Confederation Of The Southern States.
[excerpt]
The Cabinet was soon organized, being composed as follows: Department of State--Mr. Robert Toombs, of Georgia; Department of War--Mr. Leroy P. Walker, of Alabama; the Treasury Department--Mr. Charles G. Memminger, of South Carolina; the Post-office Depart-ment--Mr. John H. Reagan, of Texas; the Navy De-partment--Mr. Stephen R. Mallory, of Florida; the Department of Justice--Mr. Judah P. Benjamin, of Louisiana.
[end of excerpt]
---------------------
Confederate Military History, Vol. 11
CHAPTER IV.
PUBLISHES HIS PROTEST--EF-FECT OF THE VOTE ON SECESSION--GENERAL HOUSTON DISCLAIMS INTENTION TO RESIST COLONEL WAITE--CONVENTION ADJOURNS--LEADING MEN THAT WENT TO THE ARMY.
WHEN the convention reconvened on the 2d of March, I861, it was known that the provisional government of the Southern Confederacy had been instituted by the election of Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, President, and Alexander Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President, which generally met the approbation of the members of the Texas State convention. John H. Reagan, of Texas, had been appointed postmaster-general. The returns of the election for and against secession coming in were being counted, both in the convention and in the office of the secretary of state, which being completed on the morning of the 4th of March, exhibited the vote of the State to be 60,826, of which 46,129 was for secession and 14,697 against secession, a majority in favor of it of 31,432 votes.
Served the entire time of the Civil War.
M. E. Wolf
Vol. XXVI. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1898.
Retreat Of The Cabinet.
Described by President Davis' Confederate Secretary.
[From the Richmond, Va., Times, July 2, 1896.]
THE GREAT CHIEF'S NOBLE CONDUCT.
He Cheered His Faithful Adherents With Words of Encouragement--Little Children Blessed Him and Brought Him Flowers.
[This deeply interesting narrative was published on the date of the laying of the corner-stone of the monument to President Jefferson Davis, in Monroe Park, at Richmond, Va., July 2, 1896. Captain Clark has been a constant supporter, and is a life member of the Southern Historical Society, and has been meritedly highly successful in his progressive business enterprises.--ED.]
A notable personage who comes into considerable prominence at this time is Micajah H. Clark, of Clarksville, Tenn., who served for a period as acting treasurer of the Confederate States of America, and again as confidential secretary to President Jefferson Davis. At the time of the evacuation of Richmond Mr. Clark was acting in the capacity of chief and confidential clerk of the Executive Office. Under the orders of the Confederate President, he packed up all the papers of the office, and left with Mr. Davis and his Cabinet. At Danville the departments were reopened and a temporary capitol was established there. Upon receipt of dispatches, April 10th, conveying the news of the surrender of General Lee's army, the President and Cabinet retired to Greensboro, N. C., where General Beauregard had his headquarters. The party afterwards returned to Charlotte, remaining there during the truce declared between Johnston and Sherman. At Charlotte the President gave Mr. Clark a staff appointment with military rank.
While in Richmond Mr. Clark was, like all clerks, in the Local Defence Troops. Beginning as a private in the company, he was assigned to duty in the Medical Purveyor's office. From Charlotte he went with President Davis and his party to Abbeville, S. C., where the last Cabinet meeting was held. From that place the party repaired to Washington, Ga., where the Confederate Cabinet dispersed, Hon. John H. Reagan alone remaining with the President.
MR. CLARK MADE TREASURER.
The treasury train caught up with the party of which Mr. Clark was a member at Washington, Ga., and the President appointed Hon. Mr. Reagan, the Postmaster-General, Acting Secretary of the Treasury, and Mr. Clark Acting Treasurer.
An interesting account of the winding-up of the Treasury Department is published in Southern Historical Society Papers (vol. ix, p. 542, et seq, by Ex-Acting Treasurer C. S. A., and Confidential Clerk Executive Office, C. S. A.)
Mr. Clark's record as a Confederate is unique in some particulars. As he was on duty watching papers of the Confederate Government until December, 1865, he never gave his parole.
His commission as Acting Treasurer of the Confederacy bore the last official signature of the President of the Confederate States. The commission is now on deposit at the Confederate Museum here. All the gold and silver bonds and contents of the Treasury were turned over to the Acting Treasurer, without bond being required of him. President Davis honored Mr. Clark with two personal visits to his home at Clarksville, and on one occasion declared his high admiration for him, saying that Mr. Clark was the last man on duty and was faithful to the end.
[excerpt]
BUREAUS ABANDONED.
All along the route the various bureaus of the departments had been abandoned, and the President left Washington, Ga., with a portion of his staff. Colonel F. R. Lubbock, A. D. C., ex-Governor of Texas; Colonel John Taylor Wood, A. D. C.; Colonel William Preston Johnston, A. D. C.; also Colonel Thorburn, a naval adjutant, Captain Given Campbell and eight scouts, my train, with its quartermaster and a small following. Hon. John H. Reagan, Post-master-General and Acting Secretary of the Treasury, and myself caught up with the party next morning at sunrise, after traveling all night.
Up to Washington, Ga., the march had no sign of a retreat, and was made leisurely day by day. An escort of cavalry was furnished at Greensboro, but it was kept generally on parallel roads. From Washington, Ga., the idea was to reach the Trans-Mississippi Department with safety, and by steady traveling, as no speed could be made.
From Danville on I saw the government, with its personnel, slowly but surely falling to pieces. Grief, sorrow, and often indignation was felt and expressed by the immediate party among themselves, but the face of the Great Chief was serene, courteous and kind always, beguiling the tedium of the weary miles with cheerful conversation, reminiscences and anecdotes--as a gracious host entertaining his guests--reviving the spirits, strengthening the hearts and courage of all who were with him.
A horseback ride from Greensboro, N. C., to far Southern Georgia was no holiday excursion, with the dusty roads, weary riding, and generally coarse fare, yet he made it one, in part, in many pleasant ways to those who rode with him, and it will never leave their living memories.
I never heard one hasty or petulant expression escape his lips, yet all knew how his proud heart was suffering, so weighted with anxieties for his beloved people, who had given the pick and flower of their families for the cause.
Admiration, love and intense personal devotion to him grew day by day, until laying down life for him would have been a willing tribute.
With all the weariness of the month's retreat, on the road were found many passing compensations. The people, though they felt and knew that the end of all their hopes was near, were true and hospitable always. Houses flew open to give what meagre cheer they held.
[excerpt]
AND THE END CAME.
And so the end came. History records the achievements of Jefferson Davis as soldier, statesman, and Chief Magistrate, but to those who saw him and knew him, in those gloomy days when the Southern Confederacy was dying the death, will say that his grand spirit rose the highest and shone the brightest, and his Christian character was more fully exemplified during hours of adversity and defeat.
And those he blessed with his presence will hand clown to their children's children in unrecorded traditions, the precious and tender memories he left with them. It is my great good fortune to share this gracious legacy.
MICAJAH H. CLARK.
Clarksville, Tenn., June 22, 1896.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confederate Military History, Vol. 1
The Civil History Of The Confederate States
Chapter X.--The Confederation Of The Southern States.
[excerpt]
The Cabinet was soon organized, being composed as follows: Department of State--Mr. Robert Toombs, of Georgia; Department of War--Mr. Leroy P. Walker, of Alabama; the Treasury Department--Mr. Charles G. Memminger, of South Carolina; the Post-office Depart-ment--Mr. John H. Reagan, of Texas; the Navy De-partment--Mr. Stephen R. Mallory, of Florida; the Department of Justice--Mr. Judah P. Benjamin, of Louisiana.
[end of excerpt]
---------------------
Confederate Military History, Vol. 11
CHAPTER IV.
PUBLISHES HIS PROTEST--EF-FECT OF THE VOTE ON SECESSION--GENERAL HOUSTON DISCLAIMS INTENTION TO RESIST COLONEL WAITE--CONVENTION ADJOURNS--LEADING MEN THAT WENT TO THE ARMY.
WHEN the convention reconvened on the 2d of March, I861, it was known that the provisional government of the Southern Confederacy had been instituted by the election of Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, President, and Alexander Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President, which generally met the approbation of the members of the Texas State convention. John H. Reagan, of Texas, had been appointed postmaster-general. The returns of the election for and against secession coming in were being counted, both in the convention and in the office of the secretary of state, which being completed on the morning of the 4th of March, exhibited the vote of the State to be 60,826, of which 46,129 was for secession and 14,697 against secession, a majority in favor of it of 31,432 votes.
Served the entire time of the Civil War.
M. E. Wolf
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
- Location
- Near Kankakee
"Let's Pretend"?
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
- Location
- Near Kankakee
When they have a need to deliver mail, you might have a point.
Dred
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2007
- Location
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
Because, If you are going to try and start a country, however misguided your reasons, you need a working infrastructure. Same reason they had a working government... ya know.... Kinda need those things.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2009
Isn't it a bit early in this thread to start getting nasty
Holy ****, man, it is only an article about a historic artifact being saved and brought to Texas where folks can see it, and there's a chance there will be something interesting still inside it. Can you lighten up on the politics or the caffeine or something? Why are you even on Ole's back, you are the one who started talking about terrorist groups. FFS!
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