The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-07-06
DAVIS AND HIS DISGUISE.
How JeR. Davis was CaptuPed-.Ehe
Account ola Member of his staff.

Account ola Member OF mis- staff.
The New York Herald publishes 8
lengthy, graphic and most valuable sketch
Of Davis fight from Richmond southwark,
written by q member of his staff, which
makes many curious and interesting dis
closures IN regard 70 the closing scenes Of
the rebellion. We have room this morn
ing only for s description Of the manner of
Davis capture snd the extent of his dis
g1ise, which may be taken into account, in
connection with a dozaa other versions OF
the affair, in determining the truth aa
DAVIS BUSHES TO HIS WIPES RESCUE. %
Atlast he got information that mis- own
wife and family were in danger FROM the
assaults Of military m~srauders. Mrs.
companied by her sister, Miss Howell, had
awsgon train Of her own, about twenty or
thirty miles from her husbsnd's party. She
was very snxious to go her own way, and
be no embarrassment to him. She felt
equal to the task of protecting herself from
reckless C~onfederstes, and felt sure OF
avoiding federsls. But no sooner did he
ascertain that she wa in danger, that two
gangs had concocted q scheme to seize
al her trunks under the impression that
she carried the rebel gold, than hs
resolved at all hazards, TO go to her rescue.
It WAS q fond husbands, q fond fathers in
fAtuAiion. No remonstrance svsiled. He
set out and rode eighteen miles to meet the
| object of his love and solictude. He met
| them, ana the HrBBI-LaIa him for his
excess of fondness was the anxious wife
and mother. A tent or two was already
pitched, and he, wesryto exhaustion, went
to sleep intending 10 retrace his steps be-
fore morning. Had he not gone to assure
himself of his wife's safety, and had he not
been excessively fatigusd while there, Col
.Pritchsrd would be without the honor Of
capturing him, for nothing was easier than
his escape, as Breckenridge and Wood and
the writer Of this know, and by meeting 10
interruption themselves have proved,
Their immunity might have been his.
his CAPTURE.
But Davis ran his risks and took his
chances, fully conscious of imminent dan
ger, yet powerless, from physical Weari-
ness, to do all he designed doing against
the danger. When the musketry firing
was heard in the morning, st "dim gray
dawn" it was supposed TO be between the
rebel msrsuders n Mr.. Davis few camp
defenders. Under this impression he hur-
riedly put on his boots and prepared to go
| out for the purpose Of interpreting, saying
GThevw will at least IS yet respect me"
As he got t the tent door thus hastily
| equipped, and with this good intention OF
preyenting an effusion Of blood by an APP
neal in the nameof q fading but not wholly
faded authority, he saw 8 few cavalry ride
up the road and deploy in front.
uHs federalsF p wss his exclamation.
aThen you are captured" cried Mr.. Da-
Wis with emotion.
In q moment she caught an idea-a wo:
emergency execute their designs, it wal
| done. He slept in a Wrappers loose one
and this she fastened on him ere he VS.
aware of It, and then bidding him sdieu
urged him 10 90 10 the spring, q short dis
tsnee off, where his horses and arms were
| Strange as il msy seem there was not even
q pistol in the tent. Davis felt that his
only course was TO reach his horse and
arms, and complied. As he was leaving
the door, followed by 8 servant with a wa
ter bucket, Miss Howell flung a ShGl0L OUe7
his head. There was no time to remove il
without exposure and embarrassment, and
IS be had not far to go, ran the chance as II
was devised for him.. In these two articles
consisted the womAn's attire Of which sc
much nonsense has been spoken and writ
ten, and under these circumstances VS.
Jefferson Davis going forth to perfect his
escape. No bonnet no gown, no petticoat
no crinoline, nothing of all these. And
under ordinary circumstances and-PeFfsOs-
ly natural as things were.
But it was too late for snyefort to reach
his horses, and the Confederate President
vas at last q prisoner in the hands of the
United States.