The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-23
JEFF. DavIs's Disguise.
HIS ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE CAPTURE IN A wo.
MANS DRRss-sTATRMENT oP GEN.
pRITCuARD

MANS DRRss-sTATEMENT OF GEN.
PRITcnARD.
A correspondent Of the Lyons Wayne
County. N. W Republican, who lately
visited Allegan, called upon Gen. Benja-
min d. Pritchard, now resident of that
town, who was, during the war, Colonel
of the Fourth Regiment Of Michigan
Cavalry, and had the good fortune to cap
ture JEFF. Davis. In conversation with
him the correspondent inquired as to the
circumstances Of Davis attempted escape,
aud gives the story thus:
Gen. Pritciard said After the escape
of Davis from Richmond received reli.
able intelligence. and what appeared to
me to be all the more reliable from the
situation and the necessities Of his case
that is to say, that he would endeayor to
make his way across the Mississippi into
Texas, where he intended to put himself
at the head of his forces, still quite
strong, and around which be could gather
all his remaining strength in the South.
west, and then still to carry on the rebel.
lion in those vast and comparatively in
accessible regions, trusting to the coptiu-
ued recruiting of his forces from escaping
squads of his defeated armies in all quar-
tiers, and from Mexican sympathizers,
guerilas, and dissatisfed, reckless, des.
perate, and awless spirits from every di.
rection, and not altogether without hope
of aid from foreigners. To reach there
he had but one way Of escape; he had
to make his way from Virginia to Geor-
gia, and thence westward along belt Of
country that lay between our forces on
the Gulf on the south, and our forces
that occupied Virginia, Tennessee and
westward, on the north. So | governed
myself accordingly, and set my command
in motion, as if on the " double quick
right through that region. We soon
struck the trail of Davis ou the Ockmul.
gee river in Georgia. he was accompa.
MED by some of his military staff and the
chiefs Of his Government. His wife and
the wives and female relatives and COM
panious OF some of bis subordinates we're
with him. Thus we followed until we
reached small village in Georgia, where
we lost all track of them. We surrounded
the village. made the most particular
and all manner of inquiries Of the inhab-
itaDts. but not one of them knew q thing,
and were properly astonisted at my ask.
ing them the questions, "as il they knew!"
Still, | had no doubt that they all knew
we'll So resortcd to what never or sci.
dom failed mo ] got an African alone,
and he soon told me where the game was
to be found-about two miles from the
village, in sort Of Wild, bushy, woody
place. By this time it had grown quite
into the night. the weather being beauti-
ful, end the sky bright. soon had my
command at the spot, where we found a
small eucampmeut, consisting OF two or
three tents, with wagons standing about.
The tents, as was afterwards discovered,
we're 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 to have
the encampment surrounded, giving 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 of the tents
She was dressed in a waterproof CLOAK
from her waist down, the cloak coming
, down so low as TO cover her feet Around
her body was q shawl, arranged and tied
, on her head something like hood or bon
net, that concealed her face; (; in her hant
a pail. As the tent.door was opened, ,
female voice from within spoke out ii
loud tones. . Bring me bucket of wate
quick We want to wash our faces.
( And then, as if addressing any sentrie
? that might be within hearing, the voice
I said, in still louder tones, Let my OLE
4 woman servant pass aud bring us buck
{ ct of water--we want to get up and dres
J, ourselves" So the old lady passed on
). the one or two soldiers within hearing al
f lowing her to make her way, keeping
b bright eye upon her. Pretty soon, as tn
It old lady was going through a marsh,
u place, aud by that means disarrangin
g her waterproof, soldier discovered he
3 boots, and something that looked like tn
= step and stride Of man so he hailed
g advanced before, and stopped her. 500
Q two or more soldiers came up and bega
IT to quiz her, asking her to give an accoun
" of herself but she uttered not word
N Then l came to the spot myself and pu
II some questions bat not word said tn
i. old lady in reply. l then advanced, too
q of her hood. united her shaw. and ex
70 posed her boots-she all the time maxim
y q stout resistance, When had succeed
ed in throwing of her disguise there sh
d stood-a being that looked very muc
,f like an elderly man. You are likel
dl old woman" I said. Not a word fror
.. the old lady. "Who are you 2" asked
81 Not a word in reply. "YOu may q
,e we'll say who are" said, for you al
al my prisoner, and all your company.
| i r