Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-15
L a II f R!!
The Capture of Jeff. Davis!
Very Interesting Details.
Jeff. Making his way to the Sea-
coast!
His Camp surrounded.
A Mistaken Fight.
Jeff. Attempts to Escape in his
Wife'S Clothes !!
His Big Boots Betray Him y!
He Draws Bowie Knife.
A Revolver Brought to Bear upon
Him.
He is Open to Conviction!
lie Puts up the Bowie Knife!!
Mrs. Davis Warns them not to Provoke
the PfeSident!.
He Might Injure Some of 'em"!.!
he is Open to Conviction
lie Puts up the Bowie Knife!.
Mrs. Davis Warns them not to Provoke
the President
He Might Injure Some of 'em"!!!
Official War Bulletin.
WAR DEPARTMENT,

WAR DEPARTMENT, (
WASHINGTON CITY, May l-1l a. N. 1865
Major General Dir, Ne,o Fork:
The following details of the capture Of
Jefferson Davis, while attempting to make
his escape in his wife's clothes, have been re-
ceiyed from Major General Wilson.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
MACON, GA, May 12-Hon. Edrtn H. STAN
ton, Secretary Of War The following des-
patch, announcing the capture Of Jefferson,
Davis, has just been handed me by Colonel
Minty, commanding I'd division
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH MICHIGAN CAV
AIRY, ,CUMBERLANDvILLK, GA, May IL, 1866
Capt. T..W. Scott, 4. G.. Second Dirisi0n Sir:
i have the honor to report that at daylight
yesterday, at Irwinsyille, l surprised, and
captured JEFF Davis and family, together with
his wife, sisters, and brother his Postmaster
General, Reagan; his private secretary, Col.
Harrison; Col. Johnson, A. ID. e. on Davis
staff; Col Morris Lubbu ck, Lieut.. Hathaway;
also seve raj important names and a train of
Ave wagons and three ambulanees, making q
perfect success, had not most painful mis-
take occurred, by which the Ith Michigan and
lst Wisconsin collided, which cost US two
killed and Lieut.. Boutelle wounded through
the arm, In the 4th Michigan, and tour men
wounded in the 1st Wisconsin.
This occurred just at day light. After we had
captured the camp, by the advance of the lst
Wisconsin, they were mistaken tor the enemy
/ returned 10 this point last night, and shall
move right on to Macon without waiting or
ders from you, as directed, feeling that the
whole object Of The exped itioR is now accom-
plished.
1t will take ME at least three days 20 reach
Macon, and We are seventy miles cut, and
our stock much exhausted. l hope TO reach
Hawkinsville tonight.
Ihave the honor, &c,
b. o. PRITcHARD,
Lieutenant Colonel, 4th Michigan Cavalry.
The 1st Wisconsin belongs to Lagranges
brigade, Of McCooks division, and had been
sent due east by General Croxton, via Dublin.
Colonel Ninty had distributed his command
all along the south bank OF the Ockmulgee and
Altamahs. This accounts for the collision be-
tween parts of the 1st and I'd division, and
shows the zeal OF the command IL our pur-
suit. i have directed increased vigilance on
the part of the command, in the hope of catch
ing the other assassins. Our dispositions are
good, so far none of the rebel chiefs have
been able TO get through. Brechd nridge's son
was captured night before last eleven miles
south from here. Will send further details as
soon as received.
JH. WILSON, Breyet Major General.
MACON, Ga, $50 q. m, May l3, lcoo'-HOH'
E. NJ. Stanton, Secretary Of War: Lieut.. Col.
Harden, commanding 1st Wisconsin, has just
arrived from Irwins willie. He struck Davis
trail at Dublin, Laurens county, on the eve
ming of the 7th, and followed him closely night
and day through the pine wilderness of Alli-
gator Greek and Green Swamp, via Cumber-
Iandyille to Irwinsville
At Cumberlandville, Col. Harden met Col
PrItchsrd with $50 picked men and horses Of
the Attn Michigan.
Harden followed the trail directly south,
while Pritehard, having fresher horses pushed
down the Ocmulgee towards Hopewell, and
thence by House Greek to Irwinsville, arri-
wing there at midnight, 9th. Jeff. Davis had
not arrived. From citizens PrItchard learned
that his party were encamped two miles from
The town. He made his dispositions and sur.
rounded the camp before day. Harden had
camped at q. m within two miles (as he AZ
forwards learned) from Davis. The trail bein q
too indistinet to follow, he pushed on at a
N, and had gone but little more than one
nile, when his advance Were fired upon by
men Of ne ith Michigan, a fight eIsued, both