Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-03-14

understanding was that we were to
part with MRS. Davis train on the
morning of the 9Th. We did not, and
the President continued to ride in
the ambulance. He was sick and a
good deal exhausted, but was not the
man to say anything about it. The
day previous he had let little jeff
shoot his Derringess at mark, and
handed me one of the unloaded pis-1
tolls, which he asked me to carry, as
it incommoded him. At that time /
spoke to him about the size of our
train and our route, about which /
had not previously talked, as he had
said nothing, and did not wish to
force his confidence. 1t wzs, howev-
er4 distinctly understood that We
were going to Texas. I that day
ssiasto him that 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 more likely to reach
Texas safely and promptly. He re-
piled: st is true-every negro in
Mississippi knows me.'' I also talk
ed with Judge Regan anu Col. Wood
on this topic. The impression left on
my own mind was, however. that MIR.
Davis intended to turn west south OF
Albany; hut l had no definite idea
of his purpose whether to go by sea
or land. Indeed, my scope of duty
WAS simply TO follow and obey him,
and so long as / was consulted was
we'll content to do this and no more.
/ confess did not have great hopes
OF escape, though not apprehensiye
iat the time Of capture, as our scoutes,
len picked men, where explicit that
40 Federals were near and that pick
cts were out. Both Of the ,e were e.
rors. On the night of the 9Th was
very much worn out with travel and
watching, and lay down at the foot of
n pine tree to sleep.
just at gray dawn Mr.. Davis ser
want Jim awakened nle. He said,
Colonel, do YOU hear that firing z"
sprsng mp and said, ''Run and
wake the President. lie did so.
Hearing nothing as / pulled on my
boots, L walked TO the camp fire,
some fifty OF less steps off, and ask
ed the cook if jim was not mistaken,
AT this moment 1 saw eight or ten
men charging down the road toward
fqqee,ng fqqee, l Il tthQnght Q1h !s tnt4ta 4tae stock. / ran
TO nv saddle, where i had slept. and
began aatasseaiag the hofater 70. get
out my revolver, hut they we're ~"
qui X for ne, lhree maa rode MP
and demanded my pistol, which, as
soon as got out. gave up TO the
leader, a bright, slim, soldierly fell
low, dressed in Confederate gray
clothes. The same man, / believe,
captured Colonels Wood and Lpb-
book lust after. One of my captors
ordered me TO the camp fire and
stood guard over me. l soon became
aware that they were federsls.
In the meantime, the firing went
on. After about ten minutes, may bo
more, my guard lett me and / walked
over to Mrs. Davis tent, about fifty
wards ot. Mrs. Davis was IN great
dist ess. / said TO the President
who was sitting outside on camp
stool, This is bad business, sir.
He replied, supposing l knew about
the circumstances of his capture, Il
would have heaved the scoandrel OF
his horse as he came up but she
caught me around the arms. = un-
derstood what he meant, bow he had
proposed to dismount the trooper aid
oct his horse, for he had taught me
the trick. l merely replied. II,
would have been useless
Mr.. Davis was dressed as usual. |
He had on knit wooden visor, which
he alwa,s wore at night for neuralgia.
lie wore cavalry boots. He com
n aimed of chilhness. and sail they
had taken away his Raglan, be-
lievo they were SO called, a light
on spring overcoat, some-
time. called a ''waterproof." j had
one exactly similar, except in color.
| went IN look foe il, and either !, or
some one at my instance, found il,
and he wore ii stterward. His own
was not restored.
As was locking for this coat, the
firing sill continuing, 1 met q
mounted officer, who, il am not
was + Saptain Hodson,
Feeling that the canse was lost, and
not wishing useless bsoedshed, said
n u