The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-05-19
WHEETING W. " FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 19, 1865.
Lieutenant CeIonel b. Dudley Priteh
ard, the Capt0r Of JEFF. Davis.
From the Cleveland Leader.

EDITORS LEADER Being personally
| acquainted with Lieutenant Colonel B.
D. Pritchard, of the 4th Michigan cavalry,
the writer excuses himself for trespass'
| ing upon your attention and space, with
the presumption that he possesses lnfor'
nation of general interest concerning
the man who enjoys the enviable distinc-
ton of being the immediate captor of the
great leader of the rebellion
B. Dudley Pritchad is an Ohioau by
birth, beirg native of solon. Cayahoga
county. Ny acquaintance with him COM
menced while he was student at the
Eclectic Institute, Hiram, Ohio, early in
1859. After leaving that school he stud
led law for time, and soon after, going
to Michigan, was admitted to the bar,
and engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession at Allegan in that State. Desir-
ing 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 i'll that school with
the class of 1868. At this time he was
about twenty-seven years OF age; anu
his principles of life being settled, and
his character formed, one could form
Just estimate of him as man. Heseem-
ed destined to become man OF mark In
the University, and although his connec-
ton with it was brief, early gained a
worthy reputation in the department OF
which he was member. He was modest,
retiring and unobtrusive, and did not
therefore become quickly or widely
known. Among his acquaintances he
had the rare distinction of being en-
phatically popular, while almost always
espousing the unpopular side OF ques-
tions of general interest and discussions,
in the class and in the society. He was
always found in the minority because Of
his honest convictions, rather than taste
for odd distinction. His religious and
political views were especially peculiar.
In politics, he was Of that class of think
ers and agitators which has lost distinct
iveness in the great revolution in polltl-
Cal opinion He was then a strong "Abo'
litionist." Always radical, he was never
q fanatic. AS debator he possessed
much power. Although severe student,
and man of critical scholarship, yet he
ever manifested more strong reasoning
and practical sense, than taste tor the
display of rhetorical arts and graces. In
conversation, while somewhat given to
controversy, he was never al obtruslve
proselyte, but pleasant and genial. Deep
seated earnestness was the distinguishing
trait of his character. This feature in
him is perhaps in part owingAO the fact
that his earlier experience had been pass
ed amid the more rough, adverse intlu-
ences of life. His personal habits were
i'm every respect above reproach and he
governed himself according to the most
stringent rules of morality.
In physique, Colonel Pritchard 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 countenance
there habitually rests calm expression
of thoughtful, but frank and open earn
estness, which tells you he will lead en-
ergetically in the path of duty.
B. D. Pritchard has been spoken of rs
ne Uuo, for with his cLr-ar- a. n,ilit".y
officer the writer is unacquainted, having
learned nothing of him since his being in
the army. But those who know him ap-
preciate the characteristics touched upon
herein, are not surprised to know that
he is a Colonel of cavalry, and are re-
ioiced to learn that the liberal bounty
offered by the Government is likely, in
part, to fall into his hands, and that the
high distinction of being the captor of
the Great Traitor, has fallen upon 80
worthy man as Lieut.. Col B. D. Pritch-
ard, of Michigan. w.