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Let us not despond, my countrymen, but, relying on God, meet the foe with fresh defiance, with unconquered and unconquerable hearts." It is clearly established that Mr.Davis was fully aware of the state of affairs when he issued this misleading and inexcusable proclamation.

Four days after its publication the army upon which he relied even for personal protection surrendered to General Grant, and Mr.Davis again sought safety in flight.
These extravagant misrepresentations do infinite damage to the Confederate cause and to the Confederate leaders in history.

They reveal in strong light the method by which those leaders were willing to impose and actually did impose upon the almost unlimited credulity of the white population of their States.