Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-05-15
Last Nights Report.
Particulars of the Capture of JEFF
Davis.

War DEPARTMENT, WAsHIsGToE, May
l5-To Moi Gen. Diz.-The following de-
tails of the capture of JEFF Davis, while at
tempting to make his escape in his wife's
clothes, have been received from Major
General Wilson.
MACON, Ga, May 1910 Hon. E. M.
StantOn:-The following dispatch aunounc-
ing the capture of JEFF Davis, has just
been handed me by Col. Mentz:
HEADQUARTERS Ara MICH. CAvALRY,
CuMBERLAND GAP, May Ito Capt. T.
H. Scott, d. G.-SIR:-I have the hon.
or to report that at daylight yesterday ct
Irwinviile, surprised and captured JEFF
Davis and family, together with his wife.
sister, mother, his Post Master General,
his private Secretary, Col. Harrison, Col.
johnson, A. D. @. on Davis staff, and 3
ambulances making q most perfect sur
prise. Had not most painful mistake &C.
Cured, by which the 4th Michigan and
lst Wisconsin came in conflict we should
have done better. This mistake cost us 2
killed and Lieut.. Boutele wounded through
the arm, in the 4th Michigan and four men
wounded in the LIST Wisconsin.
This occurred just at daylight after we
had captured the camp, by an advance of
the Let Wisconsin cavalry. They were
mistaken for the enemy. l arrived at this
point last night and shall move right on
to Macon without waiting orders from you,
| feeling that the whole object OF the expo
dition is accomplished. Il will take me at
least three days to reach Macon, as we are
seventy FIVE miles out, and our stock much
exhausted. hope to reach HawkinsVille
tonight. have the honor to be,
Signed, B. D. PRITcHAhD,
| II Hol dfh Mioh Cav.
The lst Wisconsin belongs to Logan's
brigade of Macomb's division and had
been sent due east by Gen. McCook. Col.
Mentz had distributed his command all
along the south bank of the Ocomulgee and
Altamaha. This accounts for the confu-
sion between parties of the lst and I'd dt-
visions and shows the zeal of commands
in pursuit, have directed increased vi
pilence on the part of the commands In
| hope Of capturing the other asSa55in5
Our disposition OF men are good and go
far none of the rebelchiefs have been able
to get through. .-,...
Breckinridge's son was captured night
before last eleven miles south of here.
will send further details as soon as receiv-
eu' fs;pDedy J.H. WILSON.
et6.Hfsi Brevet Major General
MACON, GR., may To- u IL 0'''
III. Stanton.-Lt Col. Harden, commanding
I1he LAT wisconsin has just arrived from
lIrwiusyille. He struck the trail of Davis a
Dublin, Lawrens couuty on the evening O.
the 9th, and followed him closely nigh
and day, through the pine wilderness Of
Alligator creek aud Green swamp via Cum
harlan jsyille TO Irwinsville. AT Cumber
Iandsville Col. Harden met Col. Prltchsrt
with 100 picked men and horses OF the All
Michigan. Harden followed the train di
rectiy With the whole cavalry. HaTinl
frestier horses he pushed down the Ocomul
gee to HopeweIl, and thence by Hons
creek to Irwinsville, arriving there at mid
night ON the 9th. JEFF Davis had not ar
rived. ~ e. ~,
From citizen Pritchsrd learned tina
his party were encamped two miles out
town, He made dispositions of his me
and surrounded the camp before day
Harden had camped at 9 p. m. within tw
miles, az he afterwards learned from Davii
The train being too much out OF repair
, follow, he pushed on at 8 q. M, and ha
: gone but little more than mile when hi
/ advance was fred upon by men of the 4t
4 Michigan. A fight epsued, both parttt
r eyincinR the greatest determination. 80
. fifteen minutes elapsed before the Distak
3 was discovered. The firing in this Skin
mish was the first warning that Day
The captors report that he hastily pr
/ on one of his wife's dresses and star
' ed for the woods, closely followed by OF
men, who at frat thought him taEwomal
r hut seeing his boots while he was running
they suspected his sex and pursued at ono
The race was short one and the reb
President was soon brought to bay. q
: signs of battle, but yielded promptly to tt
o persuasions of Colts reyolyers withor
Il Compelling the men TO Ere. he eHpresst
Ioraat INDIGNATION at the ENERGY with whiC