The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-05-17
Je1X. Davis Captured. --..
,.~ WAR DEPARTMENT, }
WASHINGTON, May IA.

Je1X Davis Captured. -g-...
WAR DEPARTMENT, }
WAsHISoroN, May IA.
To Aaj Gen. Diz:
The following details of the capture of
JEFF. Davis, while attempting to make his
escape in his wife's clothes, have been re.
ceived from Maj. Gen. Wilson.
E. N. STANTON, Sec'y of War.
Macon. Ga, May 1911 A. NJ.
Hon. E.. H. Stanton: ,T@
The following dispatch, announcing the
capture of JEFF, Davis, has just been hand
ed me by Col. Men'z, commanding the Cd
Division:
HEADQUARTERS 4rH MicH. CAVALRY.
.... CUMBERLAND, GA, May IL.
"7o Capt. r. 4. Scott, A. 4. g. Cd d;r::
SIR: l have the honor to report that at
daylight yesterday morning, at Irwinville.
| surprised and captured JEFF. Davis and
family, together With his wife's sister and
mother his Postmaster General, Regan !:
his Private Secretary, Col. Harrison; Col
johnson, A. D. G. on Davis staff: Coils,
Morris. Lubbeek and 1t. Hathaway. and
several other important persons train Of
five wagons and three ambulances, making
most perfect success. Had not most
painful mistake occurred by which the 18th
Michigan and LIST Wisconsin cavalry came
in conflict, we should have done better
The mistake cost US two killed and Lieut..
Boutle wounded through the arm, in the
4th Mich, and four men wounded in the
LIST Wis. This occurred just At daylight,
after We had captured the camp. BY the
advance Of the LIST Wisconsin, they we're
taken for the enemy.
II returned to this point last night. and
move right on to Macon, without orders
from you, ~ directed, feeling that the
whole object Of the expedition is accom-.
plished. 1t will take me at least three
days to reach Macon, as we are Is miles
out, and our stock much exhaus ted. I
hope to reach Hawkrs ville tonight.
"B ID. PRIrcnARD,
1t. Col. 4.h Mich. Cav"
The LIST Wisconsin belongs to Lagrange. s
brigade Of McCook's division and had been
sent by Gen. Croxton via Dublin. Col.
Mentz had distributed his command all
along the south bank of the Ocmulgee and
Altamaha. This accounts for the collision
between parts Of the LIST and I'd divisions
and shows the zeal Of the command in pur-
suit. l have directed increased vigilance
on the part Of the command in hope Of
catching the other asssssins. Our dispo-
sitions Of men are good. and 90 far none of
the rebel chiefs have been able to get
through. Breckinridge's son was captured
night before last, II miles south of here
| will send further details as soon as re.
ceived.
j. II. WILSON, Brew. Maj. Gen.
MACON, GEORGIA, May Is, o'clock, A. N.
To Hon. E. II. Stanton:
1t. Col. Harnden comman Ing the 4th
Wisconsin, has just arrived from Twins
vile. He struck the trail of Davis at
Dublin, Lawrence county, on the evening
OF the 7th and followed him closely night
and day through the pine wilderness of
Alligator creek and Green swamp via the
Cumberland river to Irwinsville.
At Cumberland river Col Harnden met
COL Prltchard with $50 picked men and
horses Of the 4th Michigan cavalry. Harm
den followed the trail directly south, while
Pritchard, having fresher horses pushed
down the Ocmulgee towards Hopewell and
thence to House Creek to Irwinsville, ar
irving there at midnight on thu 9Th. JEFF.
Davis had not arrived
From . citizen Pritchard learned that
his party were encamped two miles out OF
the town. lie made disposition Of his
men and surrounded the camp before day.
Harnden had csmped at 0 p. NJ within
two miles, as he afterwards learned, of Da-
Wis, the trail being too indistinct to follow.
He pushed on at 3 A. NJ, and had gone
but little more than mile when his ad
vance was fred upon by men Of the 4,h
Michigan. A 6ght ensucd, both parties
exhibiting the greatest determination
Some fifteen minutes elapsed before the
mistake was discovered. ....... IF
The firing in this skirmish was the
first warning Davis received. The captors
report that he hastily put on one Of his
wifc's dresses and started for the woods,
closely followed by our men. They
thought him woman, but seeing his boots
while he was running, they suspected his
sex at once. The race was short one,
aud tho rebel President was soon brought
to bay. He brandished bowie knife, and
showed signs of battle, but yielded prompt.
ly to the persuasions Of Col P.'s revolver,
without compelling the men to FIRE.
He expressed great indignation at the en-.
ergy with which he was pursued, and say.
ing that he had believed our Government
too magnanimous to hunt down women
and children" Mrs. Davis remarked to
Col. Harnden, after the excitement was
over. that the men "had better not provoke
the President, rs he might hurt some Of
them"
Regan behaves himself with dignity and
resignation. The party were evidently
making for the coast.
J. H. WILSON, Brew. Asj. Gen.
j. L. CAMPBELL, II South Clark Street,