Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-05-19
MACON, GA, May II, II A. NJ.
DEPARTMENT.
May Il

MAGON, OA., NAY L.. IL u. NJ.
Hon. Z. u. Stanton:
The following dispatch, announcing the
capture of JEFF. Davis, has just been han
ded me by Col. Mentz, commanding the
I'd division:
HEADQ'Rs Fourth Mich. cav,
C~UMBERLAFD, GA, May II.
To Capt. Z. ". Scott, 4. G. Second Di-
Uision:
SIR-I have the honor to report that
at daylight yesterday, at Irwinville, [ sur
prIsed and captured JEFF. Davis and fam
lily, together with his wife's sisters and
mother, his Postmaster General, Reagan;
his private Secretary, Colonel Harrison,
Colonel Johnson, Aid-de-Camp on Davis
staff; Coils. Morris and Lubback and Lieu
tenant Hathaway; also, several other I'M
important N and a train of five Wag-
Ons and three ambulances, making a
most perfect success.
Had not a most painful mistake occur
red by which the 18th Michigan and 1st
Wisconsin came In conflict, we should
have done better. This mistake cost US
two killed and Lieut.. Boutle wounded
through the arm, in the 4th Michigan,
and four men wounded in the LIST Wis
cousin. This occurred lust at DAYLIGHT
after we had captured the camp, by the
advance of the LIST Wisconsin; they were
mistaken for the enemy.
returned to this point last night, and
shall move right on to Macon without
waiting orders from you as directed. feel
ing that the whole object of the expedi-
ton is accomplished. It will take me at
least three days to reach Macon, as we
are seventy-five miles out and our stock
much exhausted. L hope to reach Haw-
klnsvllle tonight. have the honor. etc.
B. ID. PRITCHARD.
Lieut.. Colonel, 4th Mich. Cavalry.
The LIST Wisconsin belongs to Logan's
brigade of McCook's division, and had
been sent due east by General Croxton,
VIA Dublin. Colonel Mentz had distrib-
uted his command all along the south
banks of the Ocmuglee and the Altamaha.
This accounts for the collision between
parts of the LIST and I'd Divisions, and
shows the zeal of the commands in pur-
suit. l have directed increased vigilance |
q part OF the command, in the hope
OF catching other assassins. Our dispo-
slt1ons OF men are good, and so far none
Of the rebel chiefs have been able to get
through. Breckinridge's son was capt9r-
night before last, eleven miles south
here.
I will send further details as soon as
received.
LSignedl j. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major General.
MACON. GA, $50 A. NJ, May 10.
Hon. L. ID. Stanton.
Lieutenant Colonel Hardee, command
ng the LIST Wisconsin, has lust arrived
rom IrWinYille. He struck the trail of
PAWS at Dublin, Lawrence county, on
he evening of the 9TH, and followed him |.
loosely night and day, through the will
.erness of Alligator Creek and Green
via understandable to Irwin
lille. At Conference.-The Colonel Har-
lee met Colonel Pritchard, with one hun !
red and fifty picked men and horses of
he 4th Michigan. Hardee followed the ;
rail directly south, while Pritehard, hay-
tresher horses, pushed down the De-
towards Hopewell, and thence by
louise Creek.to 1~rwinville. arriving there
midnight on the 9Th. JEFF. Davis had ]
OF yet afrixed-Frem @eitizen Pritch-
I'd learned that his party were encamn-
a mile out OF town. He made a dis
osltion of his men, and surrounded the
amp before day. Hardee had camped at
r M, within two miles, as he after 4
ards learned from Davis, the trail being /
10 indistinct to follow. He pushed on Z
3 A. M, and had gone but little more 3
ian a mile when the advance was fired !,
by the 4th Michigan. A fight ensued, a
sides exhibiting great determination. s,
mIuuESS elaps6Q De10Re the mIs- a
was discovered. The firing in the h
was the first warning Davis re- n
ived. r
The captors report that he hastily put +,
one of his Wife's dresses and started f.
r the woods, closely followed by our Il
en-, who at first thought him a woman. a
1t seeing his boots while he was running h,
ey suspected his sex. At once a race NJ
as made, which was a short one, and To
e rebel President was soon brought TO 81
Y. He brandished a bowie knife. and M
owed signs of battle, but Welded In
omptly to the persuasions of Colts re R
lVers, without compelling the men to co
e, He expressed great indignation at hl
e energy with which he was pursued. wi
wing that he had believed our govern Ie
too -magnanimous to hunt down wo- ey
N and children. a
Mrs. Davis remarked to Col Hardee. ou
er the excitement was over, that his wi
n had better not pro Toke the President. to
might hurt some of them. Reagan Sc,
1aved himself with dignity and resip- tv
ton. The party wore evidently max
for the coast.
Signed j. II. WILSON. ha
Brevet Major General. as
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