Read Online Confederate Gold and Silver by Peter F. Warren - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Peter F. Warren
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money, first taken to Columbus, Georgia after being seized, was later shipped to Richmond to help the South finance their war efforts. President Davis now had to take drastic steps to protect that money and the rest of the Confederate treasury.
After meeting with Confederate Secretary of the Treasury Christopher Memminger, a Charleston, South Carolina native, and explaining his concerns to him, President Davis drafted a letter to General Lee. After several more conversations with Memminger, Davis sent two army captains assigned to his staff to deliver his letter to Lee. The captains were also directed to discuss with him the concerns Davis had regarding the safety of the Confederate treasury. “Tell General Lee he must act fast. We cannot afford undue delays in starting this mission as I fear the Union army will soon be on the outskirts of Richmond.”
It took the better part of eight days for Captains John McAulay and Steven White, both native Mississippians, to finally locate Lee as he moved south through the lower part of the Shenandoah Valley.
The difficult withdrawal, during the hot humid days of July, coupled with the additional burdens of responsibility Lee faced as his injured army moved south after their defeat at Gettysburg, had begun to take their toll on him. He had eaten little, and slept even less, despite the protests of his aide, Major Walter Taylor, and others. Finally, as they moved into the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, Lee relented and agreed early one afternoon to halt the army so they could rest. As his men began to make camp, Lee finally had an opportunity to relax and to eat his first good meal in several days. Before he did so he made sure kitchens had been set up to feed his men their first real meal in days. Once he had been assured steps were being taken to feed the men, Lee finally sat down to eat. It had only been out of sheer exhaustion, both mental and physical, that Lee had consented to stop and rest. Now knowing his men were being taken care of, he sat and enjoyed his meal.
Sitting alone as he finished his meal under the shade provided by a canopy of large maple trees, Lee heard sentries announce the arrival of Confederate messengers. Major Taylor, assisted by other staff members, intercepted the messengers before they could reach Lee. As he spoke with them, Taylor quickly realized the importance of their assignment and learned they had been sent personally by President Davis to meet with Lee.
If they had arrived in camp without being sent by President Davis, they would have been denied access to Lee until after he had gotten some rest, but after being briefed on why they had to see him, Taylor had no choice but to interrupt a very fatigued Lee as he finished his meal. “General, please forgive me for interrupting you as I know how tired you are, but these two messengers were sent here to meet with you by President Davis. I could not refuse them this opportunity to meet with you. Sir, it is very important that you see them. I would not have bothered you if it was not a matter of grave importance. General, please forgive me.”
“Major Taylor, do not be concerned about interrupting me. I know you would not have done so if it was not important. You may escort them over to my table. Please join us when you are finished with your other duties.” Lee set his fork down on his plate, too tired to completely finish his meal and too polite to do so in front of the messengers sent to meet with him.
As Taylor escorted the two officers to Lee’s table, they both stopped before reaching it. First coming to attention, they then saluted the commanding general of the Confederate army. Lee stood, returned the salute, and walked to where they had stopped. The captains stood several feet away, respecting the privacy Lee’s rank demanded as he had sat at the table.
As he shook hands with the two captains, Lee told them to relax and extended his hand towards chairs which had been brought
After meeting with Confederate Secretary of the Treasury Christopher Memminger, a Charleston, South Carolina native, and explaining his concerns to him, President Davis drafted a letter to General Lee. After several more conversations with Memminger, Davis sent two army captains assigned to his staff to deliver his letter to Lee. The captains were also directed to discuss with him the concerns Davis had regarding the safety of the Confederate treasury. “Tell General Lee he must act fast. We cannot afford undue delays in starting this mission as I fear the Union army will soon be on the outskirts of Richmond.”
It took the better part of eight days for Captains John McAulay and Steven White, both native Mississippians, to finally locate Lee as he moved south through the lower part of the Shenandoah Valley.
The difficult withdrawal, during the hot humid days of July, coupled with the additional burdens of responsibility Lee faced as his injured army moved south after their defeat at Gettysburg, had begun to take their toll on him. He had eaten little, and slept even less, despite the protests of his aide, Major Walter Taylor, and others. Finally, as they moved into the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, Lee relented and agreed early one afternoon to halt the army so they could rest. As his men began to make camp, Lee finally had an opportunity to relax and to eat his first good meal in several days. Before he did so he made sure kitchens had been set up to feed his men their first real meal in days. Once he had been assured steps were being taken to feed the men, Lee finally sat down to eat. It had only been out of sheer exhaustion, both mental and physical, that Lee had consented to stop and rest. Now knowing his men were being taken care of, he sat and enjoyed his meal.
Sitting alone as he finished his meal under the shade provided by a canopy of large maple trees, Lee heard sentries announce the arrival of Confederate messengers. Major Taylor, assisted by other staff members, intercepted the messengers before they could reach Lee. As he spoke with them, Taylor quickly realized the importance of their assignment and learned they had been sent personally by President Davis to meet with Lee.
If they had arrived in camp without being sent by President Davis, they would have been denied access to Lee until after he had gotten some rest, but after being briefed on why they had to see him, Taylor had no choice but to interrupt a very fatigued Lee as he finished his meal. “General, please forgive me for interrupting you as I know how tired you are, but these two messengers were sent here to meet with you by President Davis. I could not refuse them this opportunity to meet with you. Sir, it is very important that you see them. I would not have bothered you if it was not a matter of grave importance. General, please forgive me.”
“Major Taylor, do not be concerned about interrupting me. I know you would not have done so if it was not important. You may escort them over to my table. Please join us when you are finished with your other duties.” Lee set his fork down on his plate, too tired to completely finish his meal and too polite to do so in front of the messengers sent to meet with him.
As Taylor escorted the two officers to Lee’s table, they both stopped before reaching it. First coming to attention, they then saluted the commanding general of the Confederate army. Lee stood, returned the salute, and walked to where they had stopped. The captains stood several feet away, respecting the privacy Lee’s rank demanded as he had sat at the table.
As he shook hands with the two captains, Lee told them to relax and extended his hand towards chairs which had been brought
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