Page 243 - Arkansas Confederate Women

214 Confederate Women of Arkansas

a house, whence he might, with least danger of detection and
arrest, effect his return to his own lines. Captain Hancock
made good use of his opportunity and safely rejoined his com-
rades ; survived the war ; married his sweetheart, and to this day
omits no occasion for showing his respect and gratitude for the

generous woman to whose courage and address he owes his free-
dom and his happiness.

THE CONFEDERATE MUSEUM OF RICHMOND.

From Underwoods Women of the Confederacy.

This house, built for a gentleman's private residence, was
thus occupied until 1862. when Mr. Lewis Crenshaw, the own-
er, sold it to the city of Richmond for the use of the Confederate
government. The city, having furnished it, offered it to Mr.
Davis, but he refused to accept the gift. The Confederate gov-
ernment then rented it for the "Executive Mansion" of the
Confederate States. President Davis lived here with his fam-
ily, using the house both in a private and official capacity. The
present "Mississippi" room was his study, where he often held
important conferences with his great leaders. In this house
amid the cares of state, joy, and sorrow. "Winnie," the cherished
daughter, was born, and here "Litte Joe," died from the effects
of a fall from the back porch. It remained Mr. Davis's home

until the evacuation of the city of Richmond. He left with the
government officials on the night of April 2, 1865. On the morn-
ing of April 3, 1865, General Godfrey Witzel, in command of the

Federal troops, upon entering the city, made this house his
headquarters. It was thus occupied by the United States Gov-
ernment during the five years Virginia was under military rule,
and called "District No. 1."

In the present "Georgia" room, a day or two after the eva-

cuation, Mr. Lincoln was received. He was in the city only a
few hours. When at last the military was removed and the

house vacated, the city at once took possession, using it as a pub-

lic school for more than twenty years. In order to make it
more comfortable for school purposes, a few unimportant al-
terations were made. It was the first public school in the city.