The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-14

the real state of facts as here reci.ed, Mr.. |
Davis and party had, for reasons best known to
themselves, separated, each taking a different
route, though, as il was mutually agreed on be-
forehand, il the intention of both parties TO
meet at a given place at as near stated period
OF time AS circumstances would allow. FROM
the time of this parting, nothing of interest &C.
CURED or that served TO hinder their progress
Gil the following morning, as We shall see by the
facts of the case, stated BIZ Mr.. Reagan. Night
coming on. they chose place for encampment.
As they supposed themselves, for the time being,
at least, in no danger from the federal cavalry,
and as their horses were in sad want of rest and
fodder, they were just the point of unstrap-
ping their saddles preparatory to remaining ell
camped for the light, when they learned that the
party of which the presidents family was por-
ticn, we're in danger of being plundered and
murdered, perh.ps by certain gangs OF marau-
ders who had just been disbanded from an Ala
bama brigade. On the receipt of this alarming
intelligence, Mr. Davis said TO those around lim:
"Grntemen my wife and family in darger
and | must go and give them what protection /
can" All the other gentlemen immediately
made known their intention of accompanying
him. They imm ;dately put spurs to their hOrs
and rode of in search of the other party. 1t be-
ing dark and stormy night, and a. the country
was a strange.one 10 Davis and HE staifs and
having no guide with them, great difficulty
experience IN getting on the right track of the
| other party. However, after a hard ride of TWEEN
ty-two miles, they overlook them. The follow
! ing day the two parties journeyed together,
| and night coming on, they chose an eligible To-
cality Tor camp, and prepared to ma e them
selves as comfort BILE az circumstances would
permit. Mr. Davis aud his family occupied a
| tent on one side OF a row of wagons while Rea-
gan and Wood, aud two or three It efs. epcAm-
ped on the OF! or side. During the journey of the
day preceding the evening of which are now
speaking, certain circumstances. which seemed
fp them shouiurr fhat tha fsa,,ar
were lot in their vicinity, led them the belief
that they were running 10 risk of capture IL thew
| encamped that night Had they bcen aware Of
the real state of affairs, they would not have tr
! ried in the place they did they would have in
all human probability eIudcd the pursuit OF the
| Union troops However, they encamped. Just
about daybreak, Mr.. Reagan saws he was ava
| kentd by loud reports of musketry which seem
| Ell To proceed FROM behind their position, at no
great distance from their encampmpnt The
| firing was craving louder ard louder, when SUD
del,l, the led, raj cavalry dashed an upon III, M
| from the opposite direction whence the noise of
I the firing seen ed 20 proceed. Some Of the troo-
pers dashed 10 on the side of the wagons where
Mr.. Davis aud his family were, while others
! Sallnped 10 the side occupied by Reagan and hi-
companions. The latter told federal captain who
appeared on the scene, that alt ough lie had, as
far a. he personally concerned, no p.rtis u
lar Interest to serve in pTIting end 10 the fir
ing going OH behind them, nevertheless he would
do we'll TO stop il, for a. they had troops with
them, the ederais must be fighting among them
selves. The officer gave no crrdeuce to this at
first. but ia the end ne mast have followed Rra-
CANS suggestion, soon after his departure the
hiring ceased. In the meantime RcigaD's com
piniOus fed and m de good their escape, while,
as he had himself resolved never 70 leave lis
country, he elected TO remain and share the fate
of Mr.. DavI-, we're it even death. Mr.. Davis,
Immediately GA hearing the firing, sprang from
the riace where be mad been passing the night,
and advanced towards the door OF tie tent. As
he did 80, thinking that the firing proceeded from
the maraUders OF the Alabama brigade before
mentioned, Who prob ,hly had come IN contact
with his own smsll escort intent on piunder and
carnage, he exclaimed aloud: "Those men have
attacked u at last; surely have authority
enough left TO prevent nv owh men from killing
one another Saying this he opened the door
of the tent, and was just stepping out, when his
vie, either beside herself with terror, and not
knowing clearly what we're the nature of her att
or thinking that the garment might render him
unacceptable TO his pursuer-, threw morning
qo~s over his shoulders. -4tMat moment he J,0s
captured. IL will be seen by this uuvAruished
narrative OF actual occurrences that the story OF
Davis bring caught in lis wifes pstticoats was a
sheer fabrication, and that all the stories of his
running into the woods from the pursuing SOL
diers equally false, since il appears bv the
statement uf one who was present at the time
that the principal cause of Mr.. Davis going ont
of his tent was, first TO obtain possession OF ms
revolyeTs, which, for the first night since his
ghT he had left in the holster OH the saddle Of
his horse, that he might provide against the dam
ger he would incur ia carrying oft his Intention
OF eudeavorug to put an end TO what he thought
was deadly strife between his Own men MIR.
Reagan further saws, that, had the ladies' not
been with them. they would never have been
taken without firing their lest shot, they had
so resolved on commencing their fight. The
thought that any resistance ON ia, ir part would
entail an indiscrimimate slaughter of the ladies
and children, alone deferred them from firing on
their PursueTs. This statement We ink, should
settle all dispute concerning the capture of JEFF
ersyn Davis"