The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-05-18
Ie is Surprised at IrWinsyille,
Ca, on the 10th inst.
HIS PERSONAL STAFF SECURED
HE REBEL POSTMASTER GENERAL
ALSO TAKEN.
TRIES TO ESCAPE IN
yYOIEE2N,S CLOTHES.
HIS IDEAS ON "MAGNANIMITY.
WHAT MRS. DA VIS SAYS.

10 Capt. L. w. SCOTT, A. u. Sec. Dtv
SIR: I have the honor to report at
daylight yesterday, at Irwinsville, | sur
prised and captured Jeff. Davis and fami-
| ly, together with his wife, sisters and
brother; his Postmaster-General, Reagan;
his private Secretary, Col. Harrison; Col.
Morris Lubbock, and Lieut.. Hathaway;
also several important names, and a train
of FIVE wagons and three ambulances, ma
king most perfect success.
Had not most painful mistake occur
red, by which the 4th 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
wounded in the 1st Wisconsin. This oc-
cured just at daylight, after we had cap
tured the camp. BY the advance of the
1st 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
1t will take me at least three days to
reach Macon, as we are IS miles out and
our stock much exhausted l hope to
reach Hawkinsyille tonight. I have the
honor, &C., B. d. PRIrCHARD,
Lieut.-Col. 4th Michigan Cavalry.
The 1st Wisconsin belongs to Lagranges
Brigade of McCooke's Division, and had
been sent due east by Gen. Croxton, via
Dublin.
Col. Minty had distributed his COM
mand all along the south bank of Ocmul-
gee and Altamaha.
This accounts for the collision between
parts of the Firt and Second Divisions,
and shows the zeal of the command in the
pursuit.
have directed increased vigilance on
the part of the command, in the hope of
catching the other assassins.
Our dispositions of men are good, and
so far none Of the Rebel chiefs have been
able to get through.
Breckinridge's son was captured the
night before last, IL miles south of here.
Will send further details as soon as re
ceived.
J. Fl. WILSON, Brevet Maj. Gen.
MACON, Ga, Friday, May 1880 a. m.
Hon. e. NJ. STANTON, Secrctey Of War.
Lieut..Col. Harden, commanding the
lst Wisconsin, has just arrived from r.
winsville. He struck the trail of Davis
at Dublin, Laurens County, on the even
ing of the 9Th, and followed him closely
night and day through the pine wilder
ness of Alligator Greek and Green Swamp
via Conference.-The, to Irwinville.
At Conference.-The, Col Harden met
Col. Pritchard with $50 picked men and
horses Of the 18th Michigan.
Harden followed the trail directly
south, while Pritcnard, having fresher
horses, pushed down the Ocmulgee tow
ard Hopewell, and thence by House Creek
to Irwinsyille, arriving there at midnight
of the 9th. Jeff. Davis had not arrived.
From citizen Pritchard learned that
his party were encamped two miles out
of the town. He made dispositions of his
men, aud surrounded the camp before
day.
Harden had camped, at Q p. M, with
in two miles, as he afterward learned,
from Davis.
The trail being two indistinct to follow,
he pused on at 3 P. m., and had gone but
little more than one mile when his ad
vance was fred upon by men of the 4th
Michigan
A fight ensued, both parties exhibiting
the greatest determination. Fifteen min.
utes elapsed before the mistake was dis
covered.
The firing in this skirmish was the first
warning that Davis received.
The captors report that he hastily put
on one of his wife's dresses and started
for the woods, closely followed by our
men, who at first thought him a woman
but seeing his boots while running, they
suspected his sex at once.
The race was short one, and the Reb
el President was soon brought to bay
lie brandished bowie knife and showed
signs or battle, but yielded promptly to
perSuaslons of Colts revolyers, without
the men to fire.
He expressed great Indignation at the |
energy with which he was pursued, say
ing that he had believed our Government
more magnanimous than to hunt down
women and children.
Mrs. Davis remarked to Col. Harden
utter the excitement was over that the
men had better not provoke the President
'r she might hurt some of 'em."
Reagan behaves himself with dignity
md resignation.
The party, evidently, were making for
he coast.
j. Ii. WILSON, Brevet aj.-Gen.
The final resting-place of the remains
r /