Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/110

 100 Southern Historical Society Papers.

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 con- versation, reminiscences and anecdotes as a gracious host enter- taining 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 Geor- gia was no holiday excursion, with the dusty roads, weary riding, and generally coarse fare, yet he made it one, in part, in many pleas- ant 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 anxie- ties 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.

TOUCHING DEMONSTRATIONS.

Through the little towns we passed, the ladies (who never gave up) and the children flocked around us with flowers, eager to see, grasp the hand, and bless their President, God-speeding him on his way.

In every house which sheltered him at night he left a blessing, with cheerful words of faith that God would not desert his people, and left with his entertainers renewed fortitude and strength to meet, endure, and try to overcome the trials soon to come upon them, and with fatherly advice as to their action.

And so it was all the way to Abbeville, S. C., where the whole