The Placer herald., 1865-08-19

been attempted to be denied, so far as we
know, by even the most facile organ of the
War Department, that Col. Pritchard's name
which gave the story all its early currency,
has been withdrawn from it. Col. Pgitchard
never believed, much more never endorsed
it. The story is assuredly false, and no
American but what will be glad to its
fasity doubly confirmed in the letter below,
on the authority Of Confederate officers with
Mr.. Davis at the time Of his capture, whose
word will not be disputed:
PHILADELPHIA, June 81.
TO the Eaitor 2f tie World:
SIR-I have noticed in the columns of the
World a statement of reasons for disbeIiev
ing the absurd reports set aAoat in regard to
the capture of Mr.. Davis, and having the
facts from first hands, deem it but right in
the cause of truth to let you know them.
Mr. Davis. with his party, consisting of
TrotI ten to fifteen persons, was travelling on
different road from hat taken by Mrs. Da'
Wis and her wagons making his way leisurely
toward the uans-Mississppi Department,
when he was alarmed bv reports that Mrs.
Davis was in danger of being robbed 10y
Struggling bands Of deserters, and left in the
road without means of moving to SHIFT for
herself. lie Immediately set off late in the
evening, about two days before his capture,
and rode all night to join her. Finding
| that the danger was not exaggerated, he re
manned to protect her from molestaion; n.
tending to have resumed his seperate jour-
ney, unlncumbered by baggage, on the very
morning Of his capture. The party had no
idea of being pursued, and the first notIiica-
ton of it they had was from the irrultion of
the cavalry into heir camp. Mr.. Davis was
Sleeping in his wfe's tent, and had not vet
lisen. The cavalry were in possession of
the camp for nearly half an hour before they
seemed to find ont whom they had captnsed.
when some one shouted We've got old jeff
or some other words. When taken. he was
in his dressing gown, in which he had slept,
and acted with the dignity which all who
knew anything Of him, friend or foe. would
have expected. He was treated with perfect
respect 10y Mis- captors, scene Of any sort
taking place, aud none Of the prisoners heard
anything of the pet'icoat story until they
learned II from the Northern papers on their
arrival at Fortress Monroe.
II seems almost absurd to combat a cal
nard which has no responsible author. but is
based on the reported dictum of some pri-
vaies of the Michigan cavalry, who had probl
ably never before seen a gentleman dressing
gown, and might very easily have mistaken
it for lady's dress. Yet as a matter of bis
tory, and since the story has made so much
noise it may deserve this much notice. 1t
is to he hoped that the press of the country
will have sufficient generosity to acl:nowl
edge their error and retract the calunnies
Trey have aided to disseminate concerning
fallen foe.
The authorities for the statements in this
note are Colonel Lubbock, eX Governor Of
Texas, and Colonel Johnston, son of General
Albert Sidney Johnston, aidesde-camp to
Mr.. Davis, and captured at the same time
with him. Both are gentlemen of unim
peachable honor and veracity, whose testi.
mony no candid man hestates to accept in
opposition to the vague rumors atioat about
this matter. They cannot tell their own
story, therefore speak for them, they being
now, unless very lately removed, prisoners
at Fort Delaware, and any doubts as to the
facts contained in this communication can
be settled by reference to them
1t seems to me good plan always to hear
both sides before believing story, especially
where the accused is poweress even to speak
in his own defense, if indeed such party NAL,
ice deserves to be dignified by retuation.
AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM
The following note from the Rev. DR.. Ful-
ler, Of Baltimore, who accompanied Chief
Justice Chase on his recent journey to South
Carolina, confirms the above statement:
TO the Editors of the Examiner d Chronicle:
Il notice your remark AS to Mr.. Jefferson
Davis escape, believe from an impartial
examination Of the testimony (and am i'm
partia), that he was in bed when Colonel
Pritchard's squadron surrounded the tents;
and that he arose and dressed himself hasti,
". throwing shawl around bis shoulders,
aud was thus captured. | may he mistaken,
but the first stories have already been strip,
ped of much of their udicrous decorations,
aud "lo This complexion" the truth will come
at last. At my request, the papers which
are copying from you here will admit my
assertion that the account is "a fable
1t is only by snpposing him an imbeci'e
that any body can believe he hoped to get
away in female attire, with his military boots
on (or the story goes) when. he saw himself
surrounded at daylight.
r. FULLER.
Baltimore, June II.
Democracy sentiment not to he appall'