Last Train South: The Flight of the Confederate Government from RichmondThe story begins in March 1865 as Union troops closed in on Richmond. Jefferson Davis tries to establish new capitals in Danville, Greensboro, and Charlotte and is ultimately captured in Georgia. Secretary of War Breckinridge dons the style of a pirate to escape. Secretary of State Benjamin disguises himself as a poor farmer--with his gold sewn inside his clothes. Nearly 60 primary and secondary sources were used to research this dramatic history. The book contains sketches made by an artist who accompanied Davis on much of the escape, and includes maps of the escape route. |
Contents
The Confederates Leave and Richmond Falls | 1 |
Aboard the Last Train | 25 |
In Danville Davis Waits for Lee | 35 |
Flight to Greensboro | 47 |
The Military Realities Close In | 55 |
To Charlotte Cut Off | 67 |
All Is Indeed Lost | 77 |
President and Mrs Davis Are Captured in Georgia | 87 |
Breckinridge and Party Struggle to Cuba | 103 |
Benjamin and George Davis Go Their Ways | 117 |
Mallory Languishes in Prison | 123 |
Benjamin Reagan and Trenholm Flourish | 129 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abbeville aides Amelia Court House Appomattox Appomattox Court House Army of Northern arrived Beauregard began Benjamin boat Breckinridge Cabinet members camp Captain captured cavalry Charlotte Colonel commander Confed Confederacy Confederate Congress Confederate government Court House Courtesy Library Craven Danville Davis wrote decided depot Downey & Manarin enemy escape federacy Federal fight finally Florida forced former Confederate George Davis Georgia gold Grant Greensboro guard Harrison hope horses Jefferson Davis John John Taylor Wood Johnston Josiah Gorgas leave Lee's army letter Library of Congress looked Mallory meeting miles Mississippi morning moved Navy nearly night Nine April Days North Carolina officers ordered Parker party patrols President prison quickly Railroad Reagan received remained returned Richmond River sail sent Sherman ship soldiers soon South Stanton stay surrender Sutherlin Texas told train Trenholm Union Army Union troops Van Benthuysen Vance Virginia wagons wanted Wartime Papers Washington wife Wood