The New York herald., 1874-09-12
JEFF DAVIS CAPTURE.
Tho Ex-confederate Chieftain Seeking Confs-
GATED Papers in the War Department Cata-
combs-Reminiscence of the Ludicrous
Climax Of the Rebellion-The Famous
Petticoat in State OF Demolition
The Pistol and Carbine

WASHINGTON, Sept. II, 1874
II is a part OF the history OF the rebellion that
its representative leader, Jefferson Davis, was
captured, disguised In female wearing apparel,
while endeavoring to make his escape from the
country. At the same time his personal effects
were also captured and forwarded to the War De-
partment by General James II. Wilson, now OF
New York city. The box containing them was
taken In personal charge by Secretary Stanton,
who was very fond for the time being OF holding
up and exhibiting to visitors the pctticoat that
Davis wore when captured Eventually the box
was passed over TO the charge OF Adjutant Gen.
eral Townsend, he being by usage, the custodian
OF all the odds and ends accumulatng In the de-
partment The box was strapped and sealed by
the Adutant General and for nine years has had
the quiet OF sarcophagus.
Ex.PREsIDENT DAVIS AFTER DOCUMENTS
few weeks ago Mr.. Davis had his emory
jostled by business transaction, when made it
important to have certain private papers slowed
away in the catacomb of the War Department
Through Southern friend he communicated with
the Secretary OF war, and asked II there was any
impropriety in requesting the return OF such
important documents and letters as would only
be Of service to him in business relations. Gen.
eral Belknap thought there would be none, and
THE URN OF THE CoNFEpERACY
was brought forth, the seal broken and the con-
tents examined. The letters and private papers
were ordered to be returned. ring. several
boxes OF cigars brought by blockade runners, and
not having the loyal evidence OF internal revenue
stamps, underwear and linen shirts, in as good
state OF preservation as any cloth about the num-
mics at the Smithsonian Institution, were also in
cuded in the category. But the pettlcoat,
ALAs THE PErTICOAT
The moths had destroyed this historic garment
and reduced its ample olds to mass Of chawed
material. Not all the delicate hands OF the ten
derest females in General Spinner's Redemption
Division could have handled the celebrated gown
so as to preserve It's shape or even Its identity.
At the bottom of the box were exhumed dreadful
embems of war, pair Of revolvers and carbine.
Should these. too, be returned,
A COUNCIL OF WAR
was held, at which General Townsend, General
Vincent and the secretary OF War were present.
1t was lemnly resolved tnat at the present crtl-
cal juncture In the anairs OF the South it
wonld De imprudent for the War Department
to furnish arms to the ex-President OF the
deceased Conrederacy The rusty revolvers might
have in them elements of new rebellion and wise
craftsmanship dictated that these silent weapons
Of death should again be consigned to the caIa.
combs OF the War Department where a demo-
cratic OF the present Secretary alone
wake them to glory. 1t can be stated that this
affair had nothing whatever to do with the re-
cent ousrages in the Southern States. Mr.. Davis
gets his private papers, some of his friends nave
been favored with the dried up cigars souvenirs
OF the lost cause and oil that is dangerous, the
revolvers and carblne. again repose peacefully in
the War Department for the seal OF General Town
seno has consigned the box to its old position,
wrapped about with red tape and marked. ''handle
with care"