To Varina Howell Davis
Charlotte, N.C 23 April 65
MY DEAR WINNIE
I have been detained here longer than was expected when the last
telegram was sent to you. I am uncertain where you are and deeply felt
the necessity of being with you if even for a brief time, under our
altered circumstances. Gov. Vance and Genl. Hampton propose to meet me
here and Genl. Johnston sent me a request to remain at some point where
he could readily communicate with me. Under these circumstances I have
asked Mr. Harrison to go in search of you and to render you such
assistance as he may. Your Brother William telegraphed in reply to my
inquiry that you were at Abbeville and that he would go to see you. My
last despatch was sent to that place and to the care of Mr. Burt. Your
own feelings will convey to you an idea of my solicitude for you and our
family and I will not distress by describing it.
The dispersion of Lee's army and the surrender of the remnant
which remained with him destroyed the hopes I entertained when we
parted. Had that army held together I am now confident we could have
successfully executed the plan which I sketched to you and would have
been to-day on the high road to independence. Even after that disaster
if the men who "straggled" say thirty or forty thousand in number, had
come back with their arms and with a disposition to fight we might have
repaired the damage; but all was sadly the reverse of that. They threw
away theirs and were uncontrollably resolved to go home. The small
guards along the road have sometimes been unable to prevent the pillage
of trains and depots.
Panic has seized the country. J. E. Johnston and Beauregard
were hopeless as to recruiting their forces from the dispersed men of
Lee's army and equally so as to their ability to check Sherman with the
forces they had. Their only idea was to retreat of the power to do so
they were doubtful and subsequent desertions from their troops have
materially diminished their strength and I learn still more weakend
their confidence.
The loss of arms has been so great that should the spirit of the
people rise to the occasion it would not be at this time possible
adequately to supply them with the weapons of War.
Genl. Johnston had several interviews with Sherman and agreed on
a suspension of hostilities, and the reference of terms of
pacification. They are secret and may be rejected by the Yankee govt.-
to us they are hard enough, though freed from wanton humiliation and
expressly recognizing the state governments, and the rights of person
and property as secured by the Constitutions of the U. S. and the
several states. Genl. Breckenridge was a party to the last consultation
and to the agreement. Judge Reagan went with him and approved the
agreement though not present at the conference.
Each member of the Cabinet is to give his opinion in writing to
day, 1st upon the acceptance of the terms, 2d upon the mode of
proceeding if accepted. The issue is one which it is very painful for
me to meet. On one hand is the long night of oppression which will
follow the return of our people to the 'Union"; on the other the
suffering of the women and children, and courage among the few brave
patriots who would still oppose the invader, and /who/ unless the people
would rise en masse to sustain them, would struggle but to die in vain.
I think my judgement is undisturbed by any pride of opinion or
of place, I have prayed to our heavenly Father to give me wisdom and
fortitude equal to the demands of the position in which Providence has
placed me. I have sacrificed so much for the cause of the Confederacy
that I can measure my ability to make any further sacrifice required,
and am assured there is but one to which I am not equal, my Wife and my
Children. How are they to be saved from degradation or want is now my
care. During the suspension of hostilities you may have the best
opportunity to go to Missi. and thence either to sail from Mobile for a
foreign port or to cross the river and proceed to Texas, as the one or
the other may be more practicable. The little sterling you have will be
a very scanty store and under other circumstances would not be counted,
but if our land can be sold that will secure you from absolute want.
For myself it may be that our Enemy will prefer to banish me, it may be
that a devoted band of Cavalry will cling to me and that I can force my
way across the Missi. and if nothing can be done there which it will be
proper to do, then I can go to Mexico and have the world from which to
choose a location. Dear Wife this is not the fate to which I invited
when the future was rose-colored to us both; but I know you will bear it
even better than myself and that /of us two/ I alone will ever look
back reproachfully on my past career.
I have thus entered on the questions involved in the future to
guard against contingencies, my stay will not be prolonged a day beyond
the prospect of useful labor here and there is every reason to suppose
that I will be with you a few days after Mr. Harrison arrives
Mrs Omelia behaved very strangely about putting the things you
directed -- Robt says she would not permit to pack, that she even took
groceries out of the mess chest when he had put a small quantity there.
Little Maggie's saddle was concealed and I learned after we left
Richmond was not with the saddles and bridles which I directed to be all
put together. At the same time I was informed that your saddle had
been sent to the Saddlers and left there. Every body seemed afraid of
connexion with our property and your carriage was sent to the Depot to
be brought with me. a plea was made that it could not go on the cars of
that train but should follow in the next, specific charge and promise
was given but the carriage was left. The notice to leave was given on
Sunday, but few hours were allowed and my public duties compelled to
rely on others, count on nothing as saved which you valued except the
bust and that had to be left behind.
Mrs. Omelia said she was charged in the event of our having to
leave, to place the valuables with the Sisters and that she would
distribute every thing. I told her to sell what she could, and after
feeling distrust asked Mrs. Grant to observe her; and after that became convinced that she too proba-bly under the influences of her husband was afraid to be known as having close relations with us
Kiss Maggie and the children many times for me. The only yearning
heart in the final hour was poor old Sara wishing for "Pie cake", and
thus I left our late home. No bad preparation for a search of another.
Dear children I can say nothing to them, but for you and them my heart
is full my prayers constant and my hopes are the trust I feel in the
mercy of God.
Farewell my Dear; there may be better things in store for us
than are now in view, but my love is all I have to offer and that has
the value of a thing long possessed and sure not to be lost. Once more,
and with God's favor for a short time only, farewell --
YOUR HUSBAND.