Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-05-24
Details of the Capture of jeff. Davis.

JEfF. ATTEMPTS HIS ESCAPE DIsGl IsEp IN ONE
or HIS wIFE's DRESSES
WAR DErARTMENE(
NJ, ,L;-eyI-- W..
10 Ma, Ge,,. Dir:
The following details of the capture OF jeff Davis,
while attempting to escape in his wifes clothes, has
been received from Gen. Wilson.
f, NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War,
MACON, Ca. May ia. NJ
The following dispatch, announcing the capture
of jeff Davis has been handed me by Col. Mentz,
commanding the I'd division
HDQ's 4rn MICHIGAN CAVALRY
Cumberland Ga. May IL.
10 Capt. f. W. Scott, Il, G., ID Die!
SRI have the honor to report that at daylight
Yesterday morning, at Jonesyile, / surprised and
captured JEFF. Davis and family including his wife
and mother together with his Postmaster General,
Reagan his Private Secretary, Col. Harrison; Col.
Johnston, A. d. c. on Davis staff and Coils. Morris
and Lubbock and Lieut.. Hathaway; also, several
important names and train of five wagons and
three ambuances, making most perfect success
Had not most painful mistake occurred, by which
the 4th Michigan and the lst came in conflict, we
should have done better
This mistake cost us two killed and Lieut. Bart
lett wounded through the arm of the 4th Michigan,
and four men wounded in the lst Michigan. This
occurred just at daylight shall move to the right
without waiting orders from YOU as directed, feeling
that the whole object of the expedition is accom-
plished II will take me at least three days to reach
Macon, as we are seventy-fve miles out, and our
stock much exhausted. l hope to reach Jonesville
tonight, Is. u. PMTcnARD,
Lieut.. 4th Mich. Cav.
Tho Isl Wisconsin belongs to Lcgan's brigade OF
Cooks division, and had been sent due east by Cen
Oustenhaus. Col Mentz distributed his command
all along the south bank of the Ocmugee and Of
tamaha This accounts for the collision between
parts of the I'd and Sd divisions and shows the zeal
of the commanders in pursuit. have directed In
creased vigilance on the part of the command in the
hope of capturing the other assassns Our dispos-
ton of men are good, and so far none of the rebel
chiefs have been able to get through Breckinridges
son was captured night before last miles south of
here will send further details soon received.
j. II. WILSON,
Brevet Major General.
MACON, Ga, May l3-P. NJ.
( Hon. +. VI. Stanton:
Lieut. Col Hardee commanding the 1st Wiscon-
sin has lust arrived from Jonesville. 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 the Green Swamp via Cumberland to
Jonesville At Cumberlandville, Col. Hardee met
Col Pritchard with $50 picked men and horses ofthe
4th Michigan. Hardee followed the train directly
SOUTH while Prtchard, having fresher norses, push
cd down the Ocmulgee, toward Hopewall and thence
by House Creek to Jonesville arriving there at mid
night on the 9TH JEFF. Davis had not arrived
From citizen Pritchard learned that his party were
encamped two miles out of the town. He made a
disposition Of his men, and surrounded the camp
before daylight.
Hardee had camped at . ?. NJ. within two miles,
as he afterward learned of Davis, the trail being
too ndstinct TO follow. He pushed at A. VI, and
had gone but little more than one mile when his ad-
vance was fired upon by the 4th Michigan. A fight
ensued both parties exhibiting the greatest determi-
nation before the mistake was discovered. The
firing was the first warning Davis received. The
captors report that he hastily put on one of his wife
dresses and started for the woods, closely followed
by our men, who at first thought him woman, but
seeing his boots while he running they suspected
his sex. -
The race was but short one, and the rebel Pres
ident was soon brought to bay. He brandished a
bowie knife and showed signs of battle, but speedily
Welded 10 the persuasion of Colts revolvers without
Compelling the men to fire. He expressed great in
dienation at the energy with which he was pursued
soyin, he believed our Government too magnani-
mus 10 hunt down women and children.
Mrs. Davis remarked 10 Col Hardee after the eN-
citement was over, the men had not better provoke
the President or he might hurt some OF them
, Reagan behaves himself with dignity and resigna.
ticn. Tho party evidently were making Tor th'
coast. J. Il, WILSON.