The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-03-15

lie was SICK and good deal exhausted,
but was not the man to say anything
about it. The day previous he had
let little jeff shoot his Derringers at a
mark, and handed me one of the
unloaded pistols, which he asked me
to carry, as it incommoded him. At
that time 1 spoke to him about the
size of our train and our route, about
which I had not previously talked,
as he had said nothing and l did not
wish to force his confidence. 1t was,
however, distinctly understood that
we were going to Texas. I that day
said to him that I did not believe we
could get west through Mississippi,
and that by rapid movements and a
bold attempt by sea from the Florida
coast we were moro likely to reach
Texas safely and promptly. Hereplied,
ssIt is true-every negro in Mississippi
knows me-" 1 also talked with Judge
Reagan and Colonel Wood on this
topic. The impression left on my own
mind was, however, that Mr.. Davis
intended to turn west south of Albany !;
but had no definite idea of his pur-
pose, whether to go by sea or land.
Indeed, my scope of duty was simply
to follow and obey him; and so long
as was not consulted, L was well
content to do this and no more. 1 con-
fess I did not have great hopes of
escape, though not apprehensive at the
time of capture, as our scouts, ten
picked men, were explicit that no
Federals were near, and that pickets
were out. Both of these We're errors.
On the night of the 9th L was very
much worn out with travel and watch
ing,and lay down at the foot of a pine.
Just at gray dawn Mr.. Davis SER
want Jim awakened me. He said
stColonel, do you hear that firing p
1 sprang up and said, "Run and wake
the President" He did so. Hearing
walked to the camp fire, some fifty OF
less steps off, and asked the cook il
Jim was not mistaken. At this moment
I saw eight or ten men charging dowr
the road toward me. I thought they
were guerillas trying to stampede the
stock. I ran to my saddle, where
had slept, and began unfastening the
holster to get out my revolver, bu
they were too quick for me. Three
men rode up and demanded my pistol
which, as soon as 1 got, I gave up tt
the leader, a bright, slim, soldierly
fellow, dressed in Confederate gray
clothes. The same man, 1 believe
captured Colonels Wood and LubbocE
) just after. One of my captors ordered
) me to the camp fire and stood guart
, over me. I soon became aware tina
they were Federals.
In the meantime the firing went on
After about ten minutes, may be more
t my guard left me and L walked owe
5 to Mrs. Davis tent, about fifty yard
: off. Mrs. Davis was in great distress
e 1 said to the President, who was slit
s ing outside on camp stool, ssThis
y bad business, SIR" He replied, SUI
: posing I knew about the circumstanc
|, of his capture, sI would have heave
r the scoundrel from his. horse as he cam
e up but she caught me around the arm.
/, 1 understood what he meant, how
G had proposed to dismount the troope
Il and get his horse, for he had taugl
It me the trick. L merely replied, 81
y would have been uSeleSS.'
l., Mr.. Davis was dressed as usual. II
). had on a knit woolen visor, which h
d always wore at night for neuralgia
C He wore cavalry boots. He complaine
d of chillness and said that they ha
:, taken away his ssRaglan," 1 believ
/, they were so called, a light aquascutur
IS or spring overcoat, sometimes called
= "waterproof.' / had one exactly sin
d liar, except in color. I went to loo
o for it, and either 1, or some one at M
It instance, found it, and he wore it afte
y ward. His own was not restored.
e AS 1 was looking for this coat, tt
l. firing still continuing, met a mounte
officer, who, if am not mistaken, w:
a Captain Hodson. Feeling that IL
n cause was lost and not wishing usele
y bloodshed, I said to him, "Captail
- your men are fighting each other ov
d. yonder." He answered very positiv
t: ly, "You have an armed escort"
replied, "You have our whole caml
L know your men are fighting eat
st other. We have nobody on that si'
O. of the slough" He then rode off. Ct
h Lubbock had a conversation near
IS identical with Col. Pritchard, who w
RS not polite, L believe. You can lea
al from Col. Lubbock about it.
ct Not long afterward, seeing Mr.. DaN
Id in alteration with an ofiicer-ColOr
nd Pritchard-I went up. Mr.. Davis W
as denunciatory in his remarks. II
of account given by Wilson is fabulol