NOTES ON THE GREAT MAN

Mr. Davis was very fond of animals and birds. He always gathered the scraps from the breakfast table to feed his peafowls, and his dressing gown pockets were heavy with grain for his beautiful pets. He had a large flock of peafowls, of which he was very proud and fond. Every morning Mr. Davis would take his excercise on a short pavement leading from the back steps at Beauvoir. "It is just the length of my excercise path in prison," he would tell his friends. Up and down, up and down this pavement he would walk, at his heels and all around him his flock of peafowls. One old cock especially would spread his gorgeous tail, droop his wings, and strut after Mr. Davis in the most comical fashion. Evidently, the bond of friendship between the two was a close one.

Fond as Mr. Davis was of his peafowls, his especial pet was his dog, Traveler, the same name as Robert E. Lee's famous horse. This dog had a very wonderful history. Mr. (Samuel W. ) Dorsey, husband of Mrs. Sarah Dorsey, from whom Mr. Davis purchased Beauvoir, had traveled all over the world. On the Bernise Alps, Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey purchased the young puppy, whose father was a Russian bulldog. The puppy was named Traveler. They carried the young dog everywhere with them, and he was trained to be Mrs. Dorsey's bodyguard. Once, while camping on the Arabian Desert, Mr. Dorsey had one of his Arabian servants punished severely for theft. The next day, Mr. Dorsey and some of the Arabians went on a two days' journey, leaving Mrs. Dorsey and the camp in the charge of an old Arab sheik. That night, while asleep under the tent, Mrs. Dorsey was awakened by a spring and growl from Traveler, then the shriek of a man. She sprang from her cot, quickly got a light, and found the Arab who had been beaten by Mr. Dorsey's orders pinned down to the ground by Traveler, a huge knife lying beside him, where it had fallen from his hand. He had cut his way into the tent and crept in, evidently determined to wreak his vengeance upon her for the stripes he received.

Mrs. Dorsey had magnificent diamonds, which she wore at night to a reception at the Tulleries. On her return to the hotel, she went at once to her room, while her husband and some friends walked out to smoke. She quickly went to sleep, but was aroused by a sound of a desperate struggle on the floor, where Traveler had succeded in throwing the theif who had followed her, attrracted by the glitter of her diamonds. This man was one of the worst characters in Paris, and the gallows were cheated when he died of the wound in his throat torn by Traveler's teeth.

After Mr. Dorsey died, Traveler was given to Mr. Davis and became his constant companion and guard. He allowed no one to come on the place whose good intent he had any reason to suspect. The entire place was under his care; not a window or door was locked or barred, for everything was safe while Traveler kept his sentry march on the wide porches that surrounded the house on every side.

If Mr. Davis wished to safeguard ther coming and going of anyone and give him the freedom of the place, day or night, he would put one hand on the person's shoulder and the other on the dog's head and say: "Traveler, this is my friend." The dog would accept the introduction very gravely, would smell his clothes and hands, and "size him up" generally; but he never forgot, and, henceforth, Mr. Davis' "friend" was safe to come and go unmolested.

As fierce as the dog was, and as bloody as was his record, he was as gentle as a lamb with little children. Mrs. Davis' small niece, a child about two years old, make the dog her chosen playmate, and the baby and the dog would roll together on the grass in highest glee. She would pull his hair, pound on his head, or ride around the place on his back, the dog trotting as sedately as a Shetland pony. This child lived some distance down the beach; but she went home day after day in perfect safety, guarded and guided by Traveler.

Traveler would rush around in hot pursuit of fiddler crabs, which was a pet diversion of his, and would bark and throw up the sand with his paws in wild glee when he had succeeded in driving a number of the ungainly objects into the sea.

But even fiddler crabs had no attraction for Traveler when he went to walk with Mr. Davis. He was then a bodyguard, pure and simple, and had all the dignity and watchfulness of a squad of soldiers detailed as escorts. Mr. Davis would become buried in thought, almost oblivious to surroundings. Traveler had his own ideas of what was right and proper; so if in absorption Mr. Davis would walk very close to the water Traveler would gently take his trousers leg in his teeth, or, by bounding between him and the sea, he would manage to call attention to the big waves coming in.

One day, Traveler seemed very droopy and in pain. As ordinary measures did not relieve him, Mr. Davis wrote a note to a friend who was the most celebrated physician in that part of the country. The doctor came, but nothing seemed to relieve the dog's suffering. All night he moaned and cried, looking up into Mr. Davis's face with big, pathetic eyes, as if begging for help from the hand that had never before failed him. All those long hours, Mrs. Dorsey, Mr. Davis, and the doctor kept their hopeless watch, for the work of the vile poisoner had been too well done for remedy. Just at daylight he died, his head on Mr. Davis' knee and his master's tears falling like rain upon the faithful beast. As Mr. Davis gently laid the dead dog upon the rug, he said softly: "I have indeed lost a friend."

Traveler was put in a coffin-like box, and all the family were present at the funeral. Mr. Davis softly patted the box with his hand, then turned away before it was lowered into the ground. The dog was buried in the front yard of Beauvoir, and a small stone, beautifully engraved, marked the place, (but at some time during the intervening years, that stone has unfortunately disappeared).

JEFFERSON DAVIS PREDICTS THE CREATION OF
'THE FRANKENSTEIN OF TYRANNY'

As promised; excerpts from The Prison Life of Jefferson Davis by John J. Craven, M.D. This is a first-hand account of the elation Davis felt when he was informed that he would "have his (and the South's) day in court."

(Will post the part about the atrocity of putting Davis in irons later on this thread.)

June 1st — Called with Captain Korte, Officer of the Day, about noon. Had been sent for at 8 P.M., but was away fishing. Mr. Davis was suffering from a numbness of the extremities, which he feared was incipient paralysis. Told him it was merely due to an enfeebled circulation, and recommended bathing and friction.

He asked me what luck fishing, and appeared in better spirits than usual. Had just heard, he said, through an irregular channel, that he had been indicted with Mr. Breckinridge in the District of Columbia, and hoped therefore that he was about to have a constitutional trial —not one by military commission, to which he would not have pleaded, regarding it as foregone murder. The news had reached him through the conversation of some soldiers in the guard-room, who sometimes spoke to each other in loud tones what they wished him to overhear. It was probably in no friendly spirit they had given him this news; but to him it was as welcome as air to the drowning.

He then referred to the severity of his treatment, supposing himself at present to be merely held for trial, and not already undergoing arbitrary punishment. As this conversation was a very important one, I took full note of it almost immediately on quitting his cell, and it is now given in very nearly, if not precisely, his own words:

“Humanity supposes every man innocent," urged Mr. Davis, “until the reverse shall be proven; and the laws guarantee certain privileges to persons held for trial. To hold me here for trial, under all the rigors of a condemned convict, is not warranted by law -—is revolting to the spirit of justice. In the political history of the world, there is no parallel to my treatment. England and the despotic governments of Europe have beheaded men accused of treason; but even after their conviction no such efforts as in my case have been made to degrade them. Apart, however, from my personal treatment, let us see bow this matter stands.

“If the real purpose in the matter be to test the question of secession by trying certain persons connected therewith for treason, from what class or classes should the persons so selected be drawn?

“From those who called the State Conventions, or from those who, in their respective conventions, passed the ordinance of seces sion? Or, from the authors of the doctrine of State rights? Or, from those citizens who, being absent from their States, were unconnected with the event, but on its occurrence returned to their homes to share the fortunes of their States as a duty of primal allegiance? Or from those officers of the State, who, being absent on public service, were called home by the ordinance, and returning, joined their fellow-citizens in State service, and followed the course due to that relation?

To the last class I belong, who am the object of greatest rigor. This can only be explained on the supposition that, having been most honored, I, therefore, excite most revengeful feelings —for how else can it be accounted for?

“I did not wish for war, but peace. Therefore [I] sent Commissioners to negotiate before war commenced; and subsequently strove my uttermost to soften the rigors of War; in every pause of conflict seeking, if possible, to treat for peace. Numbers of those already practically pardoned are those who, at the beginning, urged that the black flag should be hoisted, and the struggle made one of desperation.

“Believing the States to be each sovereign, and their union voluntary, I had learned from the Fathers of the Constitution that a State could change its form of government, abolishing all which had previously existed; and my only crime has been obedience to this conscientious conviction. Was not this the universal doctrine of the dominant Democratic party in the North previous to secession? Did not many of the opponents of that party, in the same section, share and avow that faith? They preached, and professed to believe. We believed, and preached, and practised.

“If this theory be now adjudged erroneous, the history of the States, from their colonial organization to the present moment, should be re-written, and the facts suppressed which may mislead others in a like manner to a like conclusion.

But if —as I suppose— the purpose be to test the question of secession by a judicial decision, why begin by oppressing the chief subject of the experiment? Why, in the name of fairness and a decent respect for the opinions of mankind, deprive him of the means needful to a preparation of his defence; and load him with indignities which must deprive his mind of its due equilibrium? It ill comports with the dignity of a great nation to evince fear of giving to a single captive enemy all the advantages possible for an exposition of his side of the question. A question settled by violence, or in disregard of law, must remain unsettled forever.

“Believing all good government to rest on truth, it is the resulting belief that injustice to any individual is a public injury, which can only find compensation in the reaction which brings retributive justice upon the oppressors. It has been the continually growing danger of the North, that in attempting to crush the liberties of my people, you would raise a Frankenstein of tyranny that would not [go] down at your bidding. Sydney, and Russell, and Vane, and Peters, suffered; but in their death Liberty received blessings their lives might never have conferred.

“If the doctrine of State Sovereignty be a dangerous heresy, the genius of America would indicate another remedy than the sacrifice of one of its believers. Wickliffe died, but Huss took up his teachings; and when the dust of this martyr was sprinkled on the Rhine, some essence of it was infused in the cup which Luther drank.

“The road to grants of power is known and open; and thus all questions of reserved rights on which men of highest distinction may differ, and have differed, can be settled by fair adjudication; and thus only can they be finally set at rest”

He then apologized for talking politics to one who should not hear such politics as his; but out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh, and in his joy at the unhoped for news that he had been indicted, and was to have a trial which he supposed must be public, and which publicity would compel to be not wholly one-sided, there was some excuse for his indiscretion.

A LETTER FROM A REENACTOR OF AFRICAN DESCENT TO THE
PINKO STATE REP FROM WASHINGTON STATE WHO
IS DISSING MARSE JEFF DAVIS:

Jerry--

The following Letter from my friend Bob Harrison to Washington Rep. Dunshee is for information. He tells is like it is. Thanks Bob!

Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
Chattahoochee Guards Member
Editor, Johnson's Southern-American Letter

From: BlckRbl@xxxx>xxxx
To: dunshee_ha@leg.wa.gov

Dear Sir,

I would like to take this time to introduce myself and explain why this issue is such an important one to me. First of all my name is Bob Harrison, and I am a 1st Sergeant with the the 37th Texas Cavalry, Company B, CSA. I am also a totally devoted AFRICAN American historian and scholar who is deeply offended at ANY SUGGESTION noting Jefferson Davis or CSA heritage in general in a negative light. I was born in Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia in a tiny town called Valley Forge which I am sure you recognize. While I was born in the North, I was raised very Southern by a devoted AFRICAN AMERICAN Belle born and raise just outside of Richmond, Virginia. I was reared with good strong Southern values and a deep sense of respect for ALL of Black history and American History in general. As Marc Allen has stated so eloquently, slavery was not such a clear-cut issue as most would like to present it. Slavery was a NORTHERN-based industry backed by Northern money. They brought their shipments of "human hardware" to Southern ports to prey on the heavily agricultural South which did not have the financial might and manpower of the North. Secondly, slavery was NEVER a Southern-only institution. In fact most slaves were owned by Northerners due to the fact most Southerners were too poor to feed their families basic foodstuffs let alone own slaves. In no way am I negating Southern slavery, but what's good for the goose is surely good for the gander.

Do you realize sir that MANY people of Color actively and loyally served the Confederacy of their own FREE WILL? To name just a few, there is Private Louis Nelson who rode with Nathan Bedford Forrest, whose name I am sure you recognize. There is also Silas Chandler who went to war with his childhood friend and master Andrew Chandler and saved Andrew's leg from amputation. Robert E. Lee himself had a devoted black Confederate in his service by name of William Mack Lee. Again these are just a very FEW of the people of color who served their country faithfully and honorably. To belittle and dishonor them, their country, and their President in such a manner is distateful and disrespectful not only to President Davis, but to all of the Black Confederates who served.

Jefferson Davis in particular adopted and raised a very abused black child. Clearly a dishonorable man would not do such a humane and loving act. If you wish to read about and bring to light dishonorable men, you only need to look to Abraham Lincoln and US Grant. Both of these "men" abused and exploited blacks and in their plight for their own power-centered agendas. I suggest you read "Forced Into Glory" by Lerone Bennet, executive editor for Ebony magazine. Considered to be an authority of the so-called Civil War, Dr. Bennet has put together a very well-written scholarly document that will truly test what folks THINK they know about Lincoln and the war.

If you want to remove TRUE reminders of oppression and degredation, then you MUST start with the Stars and Stripes. Aside from being the banner that flew on Slave Ships and a symbol of our government which passed such laws as the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Fugitive Slave Laws, "Old Glory" is a symbol of the attempted genocide of the true native peoples of this country, the American Indian. The Cherokee people alone, of which I have ancestry, should be the first to be acknowledged for the horrors they were FORCED to endure under the Stars and Stripes. I am sure you have heard of the "Trail of Tears." Go and walk it sometime and get a feel for what those people endured under the Stars and Stripes and its government. Look at the horrors the Irish immigrants went through under that banner. The irish were greeted with storefront signs saying "Irish need not apply" or "Irish and dogs not welcome."

Jefferson Davis was President of a Constitutionally LEGAL independent country. This country was served by people of every color, hue and ethnicity. ALL served out of loyalty and devotion and of their own FREE WILL. At no point did he ever commit any acts of barbarity or any "Nazi-Facist" behavior like many try to claim. Like the rest of his countrymen he tried to follow the laws of a constitution, mainly written by Southerners I might add that purposely designed a central government that would work for the good of the people, not the other way around. When that government began overstepping its boundaries, he and his fellow countrymen left, a right guarenteed to them by that same Constitution. It is the Union government and its Gestapo stormtrooper armies that committed acts like that of the Nazis. It is they who raped white and black women with no mercy, destroyed everything in their path, and tried to subjugate the South, treating it like a child. I call your attention to the story of the Roswell Women of Georgia and the horrors that Sherman so lovingly gave them on his famous March to the Sea.

With all due respect sir, before any nasty comments are made there needs to be more studying on the matter so that a PROPER analysis can be made. If you are a man of honor, I challenge you to visit the website of my unit. The 37th Texas Cavalry is a mass gathering of professional and amateur historians who have presented scholarly well-documented information about the TRUE history of Confederates of Color. I invite you to go with an open mind and heart.

Sincerely at Your Service,

1st Sergeant Bob Harrison
37th Texas Cavalry, Company B, CSA

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