My grandfather, 43rd Tennessee, a member of Vaughn’s brigade, serving as Cavalry escort to President Davis, was among those sharing in what was left of the Confederate treasury.

05 04 1865 [Thursday]

This morning Davis presided over a final “Cabinet meeting.”

The caravan reached the Savannah River before daybreak, crossed on a pontoon bridge near Vienna, SC, and entered the state of Georgia. Not far from the crossing Breckinridge relented to the demands of the soldiers, ordered the wagons drawn up, and each man of the escort paid about $26 from paymasters.

We arrived at Washington, Georgia, on the 4th day of May, and President Davis there decided to abandon any further efforts to go to the Trans-Mississippi Department, and advised a surrender of the troops that had loyally followed him after the surrender of General Johnston. The Confederate Treasury was emptied and the funds divided amongst the soldiers, each man receiving $28.25, officers and men receiving the same amount.

Lt. Issac Stamper, Co. F, 43rd Tenn. received $28.25 as his share of the Confederate treasury