Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-05-17
THE LAST DITCH.
JEFF DAVIS CAPTURED.

Lieut.. u s. Grant and Hon. Secretary of
Var Washington d. CT have the honor
to announce that at daylightof the 9th inst
Col Pritchard, commanding the 4th Michi-
gan Cavalry captured JEFF Davis and fam
lily, with Regan Postmaster General, Colo
mel Harrison, private Secretary, Col. John
son, 4. ID. G.; Col Morris Col. Lubbick
Lieut.. Hathaway and others. Col. Pritch
ard surprised their camp at Irwinsville, in
Irwin county. Georgia, seventy-five miles
southeast of this place. They will be here
tomorrow night and will be forwarded un-
der strong guard without delay / will
send further particulars at once
j. II. WILSON, Brevet Major General
MACON, Ga, II A. NJ, May l2.-HEAD-
QUARTERS 4TH MICHIGAN CAVALRY, CUM
BERLAND, Ga, May, ll-To Capt 7. ".
Scott, A. g. Second Dirision-Sir: have
the honor to report hat at daylight yester-
day, at Irwinsville, / surprised and captur-
ed Jeff Davis and family, together with his
wife's sister and mother, his Postmaster
General, Regan; Private Secretary, Col.
Harrison Col. johnson, A D. c., on Da-
Wis Staff, Col. Morris, and train of FIVE
wagons and three ambulances, making a
most perfect success. Had not a most pain
full mistake occurred, by which the 4th
Michigan and lst Wisconsin came in con-
fict we should have done better. This mis-
take cost us two killed and Lieut.. Boutle
wounded through the arm in the 4th Mich
igan; and four men wounded in the lst
Wisconsin. This occurred just at daylight
after we had captured the camp, by the ad-
vance of the Ist Wisconsin they were taken
for the enemy | returned to this point last
night, and shall move right on to Macon
without waiting orders from you as directed,
feeling that the whole object of the expedi-
ton is accomplished twill take me at least
three days to reach Macon, as we are seven
ty-five miles out, and our stock much ex-
hausted. | hope to reach Hawkville to-
night. have the honor, &c,
b. ID. PRITcHARD, Lit. Col. 4th Mich. Cav.
The First Wisconsin belongs to Logan
brigade of McCook' S division, and had been
sent due east by Gen. Croxton via Dublin.
Col. Mentz had distributed his command all
along the south bank of the Ocmulgee and
Attamaba. This accounts for the collision
between the parts of the first and second di-
visions, and shows the zeal OF the command
in the pursuit. [ have directed increased
vigilance on the part of che command in the
hope OF catching the other asSaSsins. Our
dispositions of men are good, and so far none
of the rebel chiefs have been able TO get
through. Breckinridge's son was captured
night before last eleven miles south of here
L viii send further details as soon as receiv-
ed. j. Il. WILSON, BreYet Maj Gen
MACON, GEORGIA, May Is, .9:IOA. NJ
To Hon. +. ". Stanton Lieut. Col Har-
den, commanding the lst Wisconsin, has
just arrived from Irwinsville He struck
the trail of Davis at Dublin, Laurens county
on the evening of the 9TH, and followed him
closely night and day through the pine will
delness of Alligator creek and Green swamp
via Cumberlandsville, to Irwinsville. At
Cumberlandsville, Col. Harden met Col
Pritchard, with $50 picked men and horses
of the Fourth Michigan. Harden followed
the trail directly South while Pritcha1d, hav-
ing treSher horses pushed down the Ocmul-
gee towards Hopewell, and thence by House
creek to Irwinsville, arriving there at mid
night on the 9th jeff Davis had not ar
rived. From citizen Pritchard learned
that his party were encamped two miles out
of the town He made dispositions of his
men and surrounded the CAMPS before day.
Harden had camped at p m within two
miles, as he afterward learned from Davis.
The trail being too indistinct to follow, he
pushed on at a. M, and had gone but lit
tie more than one mile when his advance was
fired upon by the men of the 4th Michigan.
A fight ensued, both parties exhibiting
the greatest determination Fifteen min
utes elapsed before the mistake was discov-
cred. The firing in the skirmish was the
first warning Davis received The captors
report that he hastily put ON one of his
wife dresses and started for the woods,
thought him woman, but seeing his boots
while he was running, they suspected his
sex at once. The race was a short one and
the rebel President was at bay. He brand
ished large bowie knife and showed signs
of battle, but yielded promptly to the per-
suasions of Colts revolvers, without COM
pelling the men to fire. He expressed great
Indignation at the energy with which he was
ha 1o1 hal,