The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-28

tents. with wagons standing about. The
tents, as was afterward discovered, were
occupied by the women, and Davis and
one or two of his masculine favorites,
the remainder of the party lying about
under the wagons. 1t was now about
midnight or after | gave orders 10
have the encampment surrounded, Civ
ing the most positive command that no
living thing, under any circumstances,
should pass outward through the lines.
Thus we waited for day.
In the early dawn = almost before
dawn-an old woman was seen making
her way from out of one the tents. She
was dressed in a proof cloak from
her waist down, the cloak coming down
so low as to cover her feet. Around her
body was shawl, arranged and tied; on
her head something like hood or bon
net, that concealed her face; in her hand
pail. As the tent door was opened,
female voice from within spoke out in
loud tones: Bring me bucket of wa
ter-quicki We want to wash our faces"
And then, as if addressing any sentries
that might be within hearing, the voice
said, in still louder tones: "Let my old
woman-servant pass and bring US buck
ct of water-we want to get up and dress
ourselvs." So the old lady passed on,
the one or two or more soldiers within
hearing allowing her TO make her way,
but keeping bright eye upon her.
Pretty soon, as the old lady was going
through bushy- place, and by that
means disarranging her waterproof a sol
dier discovered her boots, and something
that looked like the step and stride of a
man, so he hailed, advanced before and
stopped her Soon two or more soldiers
came up and began to quiz her, asking
her to give an account of herself; but
she uttered not word. Then came to
the spot myself and put some questions,
but not word said the old lady in reply.
/ then advanced, took off her hood, un-
tied her shawl, and exposed her boots
she all the time making a stout resis-
tance. When / had succeeded in throw
ing off her disguise there she stood-a
elderly man. "Yon are lively old wo-
man." said. Not word from the old
lady. "Who are you?, l asked. Not
word in reply. "You may as well say
who you are," said, "for you are my
prisoner, and all your company. will
soon know who you are, for you cannot
escape. have whole regiment of cav
airy here, and others are coming. You,
and all with you, are prisoners, and
nothing can deliver you. Now, who are
you?" At length the old lady found
voice, and said in a good, angry, loud,
masculine tone. "Who do you think l
amp" | took careful look at her, and
observing that one of her eyes had a pc
culiar defect, and scanning her face
closely, and remembering the photo
graphs that had seen of Davis, and
that had heard that one of his eyes had
a peculiar "blaze," said, 81 know you
now-you are Jefferson Davis" This
the "old woman" pretended not to hear,
and made no direct reply, but comnen-
ced railing out wieh all manner of ex-
pletives and explosions against Yam (
KEGS" and towards" who "made war on
helpless women" "Who are you?" the
"old lady" at length asked. 1 replied:
"I am the Colonel Of the Fourth Mich
igan Cavalry, whose prisoner you are"
"Just as | thought" was the reply;
making war like savage on helpless
old woman and ladies that are ladies.
Let me pass and get some water for the
ladies in the tent, that they may dress
themselves" "You are Jefferson Davis"
l said again. He looked haggard and
anxious, as if not knowing what to do
or what he could do. At last, standing
up full before me, he said: 81 am JEFF
ferson Davis!' and then again commen-
ced railing out against US. [ stopped
him by saying: Jefferson Davis, you
and your company are my prisoners" :"
In the meantime, company of Wis
consin cavalry had approached, and my
men, fearing that it was a division of
the enemy come to the rescue, and it
being hardly light as yet, commenced
firing into each other, and thus began
battle in which several were wounded
and some slain on both sides before the
unfortunate mistake was discovered
But little time had elapsed, however,
before company of New York cavalry
came up The soldiers of New York
and Wisconsin were, of course, chagrin-
ed that they had not been the first at
the capture, and, while my menss and
those of Wisconsin shed soldiers tear
over the sad bluEder that made them
fire upon each other, regrets were soon
swallowed up in rejoicing over the cap
ture of cold women" the chief of per
haps the greatest and saddest of all re-
bellions.