Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-05-16
JEFF SHOWS FIGHT.
The Traitors Family and Staff PriS-
Oners.
Rebel Postmaster General Taken
The Cavalry in Pursuit of Breckenridge
and Benjamin.
OFFICIAL oAzkTrE.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE.
Washington, May 10, l0P. M.-To Mai. Gen.
Dix:-The following despatch has just been re.
ceivsd from General Wilson, announcing the sur
prise and capture Of JEFF. Davis and his stat,
by Col. Pritchard and the Michigan Cavalry, on
the morning Of the 10th instant, at IrWinsville,
in Irwin county, deoTela.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary OF War
MACON, Ca, May l2, l965-ll A. M.-Lieut.
Gen. U. y. Grant aud Hon. Sec. Of War, Wash
ington, d. C.:-I have the honor to report that
At day light Of the 10th inst, Col Pritchard,
commanding the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, cap
tursd JET. Davis and family, with Regan, the
Postmaster General, Colonel Harrison, his prl-
vate secretary, Col. Johnson, A. u. c., Col
Morris. Col. Lubbock, Lieut.. Hathaway and
others.
Col. Pritchar1 surprised their camp at Ir-
winsvils, in Irwin county, Ga, seVenty-f five miles
southeast OF this place. They will be here to
I1crrow night, and will be forwarded under a
strong guard without delay.
will send further particulars at once.
J. II. WILSON, Brevet Mai. Gen.
war DEPARTMENT, WAsHIsaTos, May IA
Maj. Gen. Dix, New York Tue following de-
tails OF the CAPTURE Of jefferson Davis, while
attempting to make bis escape In his Wifes
clothes, have been received fron Mai. Gen. viii.
son. E. NJ srAHToN.
MACON, g., IL A. NJ, May l2, ls66-Hou.
E. NJ Stanton, Sec. Of War: The following dis
patch uacing the capture OF Jen. Davis,
has Just been handed by Col Mlnty, oomd'g the
Second Division -
IIHADeuARrnns OF Tus FOuaru MICHIGAN
CAVALRY, CUABRRtASDVILLE, Ga, May IL, 1855.
TO Capt. I. W. Scott, A. @. Second Dlvl-
sion -
Sir-l have the honor to report that at day
light yesterday. at lrWnsville, surprised aud
captured JEFF. Davis and family, together with
his wife, sisters and brother, his Postmaster.
General Reagan his private Secretary, Col. Har.
Is, Col Johnston, A. D. c., on Davis stat, Col.
Morris Lubtick and Lieut.. Hathaway; also sew
eral important names, and train Of Ave wagons
and three ambulanoes making = perfect sue.
cess, had not mcst painful mistake occurred,
by which the Fourth Michigan and First Wis.
consin collided, which cost US two killed, and
Lieut. Boutelle wounded through the arm, in
the Fourth Michigan, and four men wounded in
the First Wisconsin. This occurred Just At day.
light, after we had captured the camp, BY the
advance Of the First Wisconsin. They were
mistaken for the enemy
returned to this point last night, aud shall
move right on to Macon, without waiting orders
from you, as directed, feeling that the whole OBJ.
ject Of the expedition is accomplished. 1t will
take me at least three days to reach Macon, As
we are seVenty-hve miles out, and our stock is
much exhausted. hope to reach HswkinIyine
tonight. have the honor, etS
lsgnedl D. B. PRITcHARD,
Lieut.-Col. Fourth Michigan Cavalry.
Tne First Wisconsin belongs to LagranFes
Brigade, MoCook's Division, aud had been sent
due east by General Croxton, via Dublin. Col
Mentz had distributed his command all along the
south bank Of the 0ckmulgee aud Altsmaha.-
This accounts for the collision between parts OF
the FIRST aud Second Divisions, and shows the
zeal OF the command in the pursuit.
baVe directed increased vigilance on the part
OF the command, in the hope OF catching the 9th.
Or assassins. Our dispositions sre good and 60
far none Of the Rebel chiefs have been able to
get through.
Breckinridge's son was captured night before
last, eleven miles south from here.
will send further details as soon as received
Signedl J. II. Wilson,
Brevet Major General.
MACON, Ga, $50 A. NJ, May lS,ls65.-HOp.
Z. M Stanton, Secretary Of War.
Lieut.. Col. Harden, commanding the First
Wisconsin, has just arrived from Irwinsvilie.-
He struck Davis trail nt Dublin, LaurenA %
on the evening Of the 7tb, and followed him
closely, night aud day, through the pine wilder
ness OF Alligator Greek aud Green Swamp via
Cumberandville, 10 IrWinsville. At Cumher
andvillc Col. Harden met Col. Pritchard with
one hundred and fifty picked men and horses Of
the Fourth Michigan.
Harden followed the trail directly south. while
Pritohsrd, having horses pushed down the Oe.
mulgee towsrds liopewol, and thence by House
Greek to lrwinville, arriving there by midnight
OF the 9th. JEFF Davis had not srriyed. From
citizens Pritchard learned that his party were
enoamped two miles from the town. lie made
his dispositions and surrounded the epmp bsfors
dey. Harden had camped at O'Clock, p. AI
within two miles, as he afterwards learned, from
Davis.
The trail being too indistlnct to follow. he
pushed on at J A. H., aud had gone but little
more lhan one mile, when bis advance was fred
upon by men OF the Fourth Michigan. A fQbl
enaued, both parties exhibiting the greatest De.
Vermlnauon. Fifteen minutes elapsed before the
mistake was discovered. The firing in this sklr-
mish was the frut warning Davis received,
J Inc oaptora report that he hastily put on one
Of his wlte's dresses, and started for the woods
closely followed by our men, who at frat tho ouRbi
him woman, but seeing his boots while run
ming, they suspected his sex at once. The race
was short one, and the Rebel President wa.
soon brought to bay. He brandished bowie
KNIFE OF elegant pattern, and showed signs oil
battle, but yielded promptly to the persuAsion Of
to FIRE. ''-'N
He expressed great indignity at the energy
WIN which he vas pursued, saying that be had
believed our Government more maRnanimouu
than to hunt down women and children.
Mrs. Davis remarked to Col. Harden, after tb,
excitement was over that the men had bette,
"not provoke the President, as be would huri
some Of EN-"
Reagan behaves himself with becoming dig.
nlty and resignation. The party were evidently
Signed n W,,..