3-017-108 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Last Days of the Confederate Government - Mr. Jefferson Davis bidding farewell to his escort two days before his capture, 1865. '...from a sketch by our special artist...[showing] the farewell of Mr. Davis to his escort and staff in the square of Washington, Georgia. It was here that he determined to continue his flight almost alone; and, assembling those round him who had sacrificed everything to the defeated cause, he, with tears in his eyes, begged them to seek them own safety and leave him to meet his fate. Undoubtedly, it was an ill-advised arrangement which brought an escort of 1500 men in the train of a man fleeing for his life; and, when too late, Mr. Davis saw the error of thus attracting the attention of the entire country through which he passed, and disbanded them but forty-eight hours before his capture'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.