The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-25
The Capture of JEFF. Davis.

Mr. VIM, hays, of the Quartermaster's
Department, who had but shortly arrived
from Hilton Head He. very kindly IA
vored US with the following graphic de-
scrIp;ion of the capture of jeff. Davis and
/ his party, obtained from al eye witness
who participated in the capture:
On the morning of the 7th instant. Col.
Pritchard. of the 4th Michigan Cavalry,
received orders from his superior officer
near Macon, Ga, to proceed to capture
any refugees tha: were upon the road, and
particularly to keep sharp lookout for
jeff. Davis
With force of ls3 picked men of his
regiment he Immediately started on an
expedition to scour the country, and was
Tor three days and two nights on con-
tinnous move. scarcely tax ;pg time to rest.
On the morning of the 9th, Col. Pritch-
ard met the Colonel of the lst Iowa Ca
valry, with force of picked men, on a
similar expedition-namely, looking Cor
jeff. Each party had passed themselves
off upon the citizens bv means of n change
Of uniforms as rebel cavalrymen, and
stated that they had train ahead belong
ing to their cavalry regiment, and had
somehow lost their way. BY this ruse.,
they ehtained information from the citi-
zens as to the whereabouts of jeff Davis.
The forces then crossed the river near
Macon, and separated, the Colonel of the
lst Iowa Cavalry taking the main road
and Col. Pritchard the river road. On his
way Col. Pritchard came across an old
negro man engaged in repairing m old
broken down wagon, and VIII" had been
IN that neighborhood for three days. From
him Col. Pritchard learned that Jeff. had
passed there but short time previously.
After proceeding along the road about
forty miles, on the 9th inst, he espied
wagon track. showing that train had
recently passed along there through the
woods. Col. Pritchard Immediately con
cluded that this could be no other than
the train OF jeff. Davis. Leaving a guard
OF twenty-five men at the entrance of the
track, with orders 10 arrest any person
com1ag that way, he proceeded with the
remainder Of his men through the woods
fer about three miles and discovered
camp. 1t was at once surrounded, the
! Colonel posting his men in solid bodies to
prevent any escape. with orders to remain
| perfectly quiet until they should receive
his signal, when they would charge upon
the camp. TO avoid any confusion, the
charge was not ordered until daylight
| AT o'clock, Just at the dawn of morn
ing, on the 10Th, the charge was made
| The first person encountered was Mrs.
jeff. Davis, who made her appearance in
her night gown. She asked the officers
| rather defiantly to have res;ect for the
| feelings of the ladies, and that in few
moments they would be prepared to go
with them. Capt. Hadson. in command
of the company, courteouslv informed
| that a u,
could complete their toilets and prepare to
accompany Ism. He accordingly left a
corporal with a>guard IN charge of the
tent. and left to report to Col. Pritchard.
He had been gone but few moments
when Mrs. Davis again appeared with her
distinguished husband, the celebrated JEFF
eferson himself. leaning upon Mrs. Davis
! arm.- attired in Mrs. Davis night clothes,
wearing night cap upon his head, and
,carryin: on his arm tin pail. SEe very
politely requested the guard to allow her
Hroor old mother to go to the spring and
33ybring pail of water. One Of the guard
lNstanding by, observing pair OF boots
from underneath the old wo-
Yman's gown, replied. "By God, you can't
fool me. l know you. Jeff, by your cocl,
eye. Come, disrobe; throw off that gown,
it won't do. JEFF. did as he was bid, aud
the poor old mother" soon came forth
and stood in boots
On examination it was found that jeff 3
party consisted m all of twenty-seven
persons, including Mrs. JEFF. Davis and
four children, Mrs. Howell, (Mrs. Jeff's
sister, c. G. CIayand wife. Gen Wheeler,
Postmaster General Reagan and several
solonels. The retel Vice President, A. Il.
Stephens, accompanied the party on board
the Clyde. 1t Is stated that Mr. Ssephc rs
surrendered himself at Augusta.
In JetT's camp was found $1,000 in gold,
and certificates c. million and half
more Of gold deposited in England.
At the time Of the capture, Colonel