Last Train South

The 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.

James C. Clark has received the George Polk Award, the Sigma Delta Chia Award and the Gerald Loeb Award. He lives in Orlando, Florida.

James C. Clark
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 192
Bibliographic Info: 17 photos, maps, references, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 1997 [1984]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-0469-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1830-2
Imprint: McFarland

Preface     ix

1 The Confederates Leave and Richmond Falls     1
2 Aboard the Last Train     25
3 In Danville Davis Waits for Lee     35
4 Flight to Greensboro     47
5 The Military Realities Close In     55
6 To Charlotte, Cut Off     67
7 All is Indeed Lost      77
8 President and Mrs. Davis Are Captured in Georgia     87
9 Breckinridge and Party Struggle to Cuba     103
10 Benjamin and George Davis Go Their Ways     117
11 Mallory Languishes in Prison     123
12 Benjamin, Reagan and Trenholm Flourish     129
13 Jefferson Davis Is Imprisoned for Two Years     133

References     143
Bibliography     151
Index     157

“interesting insights”—The NYMAS Review; “lively and interesting…excellent…. Recommended”—The Book Report; “forceful and intriguing”—Southern Living.