The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-14
JEFF. DAVIS CAPTURE.
THE VERSION AUTHORIZED IA THE EN-vvN
FEDEGArE PRESIDENT.

THE VERSION AUTHORIZED IA THE EN-IvN-
FEDEEArE PRESIDENT.
Inuumerable stories Of the flight and
capture OF Jefferson Davis have been
published both North and South ly
writers in both sections. Until now,
however, jefferson Davis own accouu.
has never been in print. The southern
Historical Society papers IN Its March
issue will contain full account OF that
memorable affair, written by Major W.
+. Walthall, the private Secretary OF
Mr. Davis. IL Is known that tins article
Was gotten up under the eye OF hr.
Davis, aud under his special supervision
and IL Is therefore regarded IS Davis
own account Of ms flight and capture.
The writer SAYS:
On the evening Of the second day
(which WAS the 9th OF May preparations
were made for departure Immediately
after uIghttall, when Col. W. Z. Johnson
returned from q neighborlng village
with the report that 100 men we're 10 At
tack the camp that night. Meantime
the horse Davis. already sAddled, with
his holsters and blankets in place, WAS
in charge Of his body servant, and he
himself was lying clothed, booted and
even spurred, when little after day
break the alarm was given that the camp
was attacked. Sprlnging 10 his feet and
stepping out Of hIs tent he saw 81 once,
from the manner in which the asSall-
ants were deploying around the camp,
that they were trained soldiers and not
irregular baudittl, and returning he 80
informed Mrs. Davis, As VIC have said,
the President was already fully dressed.
He hastily took leave OF his wife, who
threw over his shoulders a waterproof
cloak or wrapper, either as protection
from the dampness Of the early morning
or in the hope that il might serve as q
partial disguise, or perhaps with woman's
ready and rapid thoughtfulness OF its
possible use for both these purposes.
Mrs. Davis also directed female SER
want, who was present, 10 take an empty
bucket and accompany him IN the d.
recuon of the spring, his horse, on the
other side of the camp, being cut OF
from access by the interposition Of the
assailants. lie had advanced only a
few steps from the door Of the tent when
lie was challenged by a mounted soldier
who presented his CaTbnc and ordered
/
II never surrender 10 band ofthieyes, ~
The carbine was still presented, but the
man restrained from firiug-it is but fair
10 presume from an unwillingness 10
kill his adyersary-While the President
continued to advance. This WAS not
from desperation or foolhardy reckless
ness, but of deliberate purpose
Observing that the man, who HH- nu..y
mounted, was so near as 10 ur considers
ably above him, be had little srHrgag.-
sion of being hit, and believed That, .E
taking advantage OF the excitement uf
the shot, he might easily ul ham from
the saddle and get possession of the
horse. The feasibility Of this action was
not to be tested, however, iur al .h.-m.-
ment Mrs. Davis seeing unly hlH danger
and animated by characteristic aud ur-
roic determination 10 share II, ran for
ward and threw her arms around hI-
neck with some impassioned exclama-
ton which probably none oft parties
present would be able 10 repeat correct~
ly. The only hope Of escape had de-
pended upon bringing the matter TO an
immediate issue, and, seeing that this
was now lost, the President simply said.
Gods will be done" as he quietly turn
ed back and seated himself upon
fallen tree, near which a camp fire was
burning.
A letter written by Col. William Pres.
ton Johnson, late aid 10 Mr.. Davis, TO
the writer of the article, Major Walt
hall, confirms this statement