The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-17
DAILY LEADER.
WBDNEsDAY, HAY n, 1885.
Lieutenant Colonel b. Dudley Prftch-
ard. the CaPaOr OF Jeff Davis.

ara, the NaIB1OF OF Se1s DAVIS
We call the attention of our readers 10
the following interesting sketch of Colonel
Pritchsrd, the lucky captOr of JEFF. Davis,
from the pen of an acquaintance and
friend of his. It will be seen that Cuya-
hOga county can claim him IS one of her
sops:
EDIToRz LEADER = Being personally
acquainted with Lieutenant Colonel B. D.
Prichsrd, of the 4th Michigan cavalry, the
writer excuses himself for trespsssing upon
your attention and space, with the pre-
sumption that he possesses information Of
general interest concerning the man who
enjoys the envisble distinction of being the
immediate cspt1r of the crest leader of the
Rebellion. { 3
B. Dudley Pitchard is an Ohioan by
birth, being native of Solon, Cuyahoga
county. Ny acquaintance with him COM
menced while he was student at the Ec-
lectic Institute, Hiram, Ohio, early in 1859.
After leaving that school he studied law
for time and soon after, going to Michi-
gan, was admitted to the bar, and engaged
IN the practice of his profession at Allegsn
in that Stsse. Desiring the advantages OF
more thorough legal training than he had
enjoyed, he left the practice and became
student at the University Of Michigan,
entering the department of law in that
school with the class of 'B3. At this time
be was about twenty-seven years of age;
and his principles of life being settled, and
his character formed, one could form just
estimate of him IS q man. He seemed des- |
tined TO becoms 8 man of mark in the !
University, and although his cor nection
with it was brief, early gained a worthy
reputation in the department of which he |
was member. He was decidedly modest, |
retiring and unobtrusive and did not there
fore become quickly or widely known.
Among his acqusintsnces ne had the
rare distinction of being emphsLicslly
popular, while almost always espOusing |
the unpopular side of questions of general
interest and discussions in the class and
in the society. He was always found in
the minority because of his honest con-
victions, rather than taste for odd distiction
His religious and political views were
especially peculiar. In politics, he was
of that class OF thinkers and agitators
which has lost distinctiveness in the great
revolution in political opinion. He
was then q strong "Abolitionist."
Always radical, he was never fanatic. As
a debstor be possessed much power. AL
though y severe student and man of eriti-
cal scholarship; yet he ever manifested
more strong reasoning and practical sense,
than taste for the display of rhetorical arts
and grsces. In conversation, while some
what given to controversy, he wss never
an o6trusive proselyte, but pleasant and
genial. Deep seated eGrHest'Sess WAS the
trait of his character. This
festure in him is perhaps in part owing to
the fact that his earlier experience had been
passed amid the more rough, adverse inhu-
ences of life. His personal habits were In
every respect above reproschi and he gov
erned himself according TO the most strin-
gent rules Of morality.
In physique Colonel Pritehsrd is about
six feet in height, with frame, form and
limbs well propOrtioned, and indicative of
great strength, vitality and endurance
On his heavily bearded cOHnteRsnce there
bsbitually rests calm expression o!
an-l-L-G-fT earnest. |
ness, which tells you be will lead eaorsvs-
icslly in the path of duty.
b. D. Pritchard has been spoken OF as
he loas, for with his career as military OIL
Ger the writer is unacqusinted, having
learned nothing of him since his being in
the srmy. But those who know him sP-
preciate the characteristics touched upon
herein, are not surprised TO know that
be is a Colonel of cavalry, and are rejoiced
to learn that the liberal bounty offered oy
the Government is likely, in part. to iall
into his hands, and that the high distinction
Of being the csptor Of the Great Traitor,
has fallen uppn SO worthy man IS Lieut..
Col B. ID. Pritchard of Michigan. w.