The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-11-29
Mr. Reagan's Account of the Capture of


The correspondent of the New York World chronicle
Mr.. Reagan'S statement thus
1t will be remembered by all who have not vet TO
gotten the of the persons captured with Jetfe
son Davis that Mr. Reagan was one of the number
SO many and such conflicting accounts of the name
of the capture and the conduct of Mrs. Davis at the tim
have been put forth by persons who knew yery Iii
| tle if anything of what they affirmed, that an ac
count of the has been given not only by
eye witness, but of the captured persons himself
Mr. Reagan-w not fail to prove interesting to all VIII
desire to see truth preferred to fiction. On certain
day the day of which, if remembered, could hav
no important bearing the real state of facts here
clted Mr. DAVIS and party had for reasons best known
70 themselves separated, each taking different route
though 1t was mutually agreed upon beforehand it wa
the intention of both parties to meet at given place
as near stated period of time as circumstances woulC
allow From the time of this parting nothing of inter
est occurred that served to hinder their
III the following morning. shall by the facts
the case stated by Mr.. Reagan Night coming on they
supposed themselves for the TIME being least in nc
danger from the federal cavalry and their horses
were IN sad want Of rest and fodder they Just on
the point OF unstrappng their saddles preparatory
remaining encamped for the night, when they learned
that the party of which the presidents family was
portion, we're in danger of being ptndeted and r,ur
dered perhaps by certain gangs OF marauders who had
just been disbanded from Alabama brigade.
On the receipt of this alarming intelligence Mr.. Davis
said to those around him: Gentlemen, my wife and
family are IN danger, and must go and give them what
protection can" All the other gentlemen Immediately
made known their intention of accompanying him.
They Immediately put spurs to their horses and rode off
stormy night and the country was strange one to
Davis and his suite, and having guide with them,
great difficulty was experienced in getting the right
track of the other party However after hard ride of
twenty-five miles, they overlook them The follow
ing day the two parties iourneyed together and night
coming they chose eligible locality for camp
and prepared to make themselves as comfortable as
circumstances would permit Mr. Davis and his family
occupied tent on one side of of wagons while
Reagan and Wood, and two or three others encamped
the other side. During the journey of the day pre-
ceding the evening of which speaking, Ger
tain circumstances which seemed to them showing
that the federal troops not in their vicinity led
them to the belief that they running risk of
capture if they encamped that night Had they been
aware of the real state of affairs, they would not have
tarred in the place they did and would have, in all hui
man propaSv euded the pursuit OF he Union troops
However they encamped. just aGGnt daybreak, Mf
Reagan says he was awakened by loud reports or mus
kerry which seemed to proceed from behind their posi-
ton, at great distance from their encampmen The
firing growing louder and louder when, suddenly
the federal cavalry dashed in upon them from the oppo
site direction whence the noise of the firing seemed to
proceed Some of the troops dashed in on the side of
wagons where Mr.. Davis and his family were, while
others gallopped to the side occupied by Mr.. Reagan
and his companions The latter told federal captain
who appeared the scene, that, although he had, as
far he personally concerned, particular inter
est to serve in putting end to the firing going be-
hind them nevertheless he would do well to stop it, for
they had troops with them, the federals must be
fighting among themselves The officer gave cred
to this at first but, in the end he must have fol-
lowed Reagan SUGGESTION as soon after his departure,
the firing ceased
Tn the meatime Reacan,s comnanions fled and made
good their escane While as he had himself resolved
never to leave his country he elected To remain and
share the fate Of Mr. Dayi,s were II even death Mr.
Davis immediateIy on hearno the firing snrong from
the place where he had been passing the night and ad
yanced teward the door of his tent AS he did so,
thinking that the firing proceeded from the marauders
of the Alabama brigade before mentioned who proba
bly, had come in contact with his small escort, in
tent on plunder and carnage he exclaimed aloud
fThese men have attacked us at last surely have au
1yh tn M
one another" Saying this he opened the door of the
tent and was just stepping out when his wife, either
beside herself with terror, and not knowing clearly
what the nature Of her acts, thinking that the