Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-07-04

THE DAVIS PETTICOAT CANARD-sTATE-
MENT OF HIS AIDS, COL. JOHNSTON AND

THE DAVIS PETTIC0AT CANARD-STATE-
MENT OF HIS AIDS, COL. JOHNSTON AND
COL. LUBBOCK.
The reasons which we gave the other day for
disbeieving the War department fiction regard
ing Mr.. Davis capture and attempt to escape dis
suised in his wles petticoats, have not been con-
troverted SO far as we Lave seen, by any journal
in the country. Nor has it been attempted 10 be
denied so far as we know, by even tEe most facile
organ of the War Department. tlat Col. Pritch-
ards name, which gave the story all its early cur.
rency has withdrawn from il. Colonel Prtchard
never believed, much more never endorsed it,
The story is assuredly false, and no American but
what will be glad TO sce its ialsty douuly con.
frmed in the letter below, on the authority Of
Confederate oficers, with Mr.. Davis at the time
of his capture, whose word will not be disputed ::
PHILADELPHIA, June 81
To the Editor OF the World:
SIR have noticed in the colu nns Of the
Word" statement of reasons for disbelieying
the absurd reports set aoat in regard TO the cap
ture 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 from
ten to fifteen persons, was travelling on different
road from that taken by Mrs. Davis and her
wagons making his way leisurely toward the
Trans. Mississippi Department, when he was
alarmed by reports that Mrs Davis was in danger
Of being robbed by Struggling bands of deserters'
and left in the road without means Of moving to
shift for herself He Immediately set oil late in
the evening, about two days before his capture,
and rode all night to join heE Finding that the
danger was not exaggerated, ne remained TO pro-
tect her from molestation; intending to have re-
sumed his separate journey unlncumbered by
baggage, on the very morning OF his capture
The party had no idea OF being pursued, and the
a Of n fhav had vi frnm the ir.
ruption of the cavalry into their camp. Mr.. Da'
Wis was sleeping 10 his wife's tent and had not
vet risen. Tie cavalry were in possession of tho
Camp for nearly half an hour before they seemed
to find out whom they had captured, when tome
one shouted, We've got old JEFF" or some such
words. When taken, he wss in his dressing
gown, in which he had slept and acted with
the dignity which all who knew anything
about him, friend or foe would have expected
He was treated with perfect respect by his cap
tors, no sceue Of any sort taking place, and none
of the prisoners heard anything OF the petticoat
story until they learned it from the Northern pa
pers on their arrival at Fortress Monroe.
II seems almost absurd TO COMBAT oanard
which has no responsible author, but is based on
the reported dctum of como privates OF the Michi.
gan cavalry, who probably had never before seen
a pentleman's dressing-gown, and might very
easily have mistaken it for lady's dress. Yet as
a matter of history, and since the story has made
40 much noise, it may deserve this much notire-
n il TO be hoped that tie press of the country
will have sufficient generosity TO acknowledge
their error and retrsct the calumnies they
have aided to disseminate concerning q fallen
foe.
The authorities for the statement In this note
are, Colonel Lubbock, ex.Goveinor of Texas, and
Colonel Johnston, son Of General Albert Sidney
Johnston, aides.de, camp to Mr. Davis and cap.
tpred at the same time with him, Both are gen.