, 1881-05-29
Jeff DAVIS CAPTURE.
Tho Real Facts Concerning the Event
Related by an Ex- officer Of the Fourtl,

Tho Real Facts Concerning the Event
Related by an Ex- officer OF the Fourth
Michigan Cavalry.
10 the Editor Of The Chicago Tribune.
CHICAGO, May 1S.-ln Saturdays issue of
the Times appears an account Of an inter
view with Gen. Crafts J. Wright, Of the
Marine Hospital. Gen. Wrisht's friendship
for JeH Davis ought not to induce him to
peryert the truth; for his statements as to
the capture of jeff Davis are false from be-
ginning to end; or else he speaks from ell
tire ignorance on the subject, or to create q
sympathy for a man who deserves nothing
but contempt from every soldier and Union
loving citizen of the United States.
First, the party were not travelling as he
states; they were travelling together, aud had
not only ambulances for the ladies Of the
party, but also wagons, which contained
spccic,-Britis1l o1d,-whicll Davis had
taxed from the banks at Richmond. All tue
men Of the command had gold, and one in
particular, James Lynch, of Company C,
Fourth Michigan Cavalry, secured $4,000,
which he buried, and afterwards recovered
when discharged. James Lynch also cap
turetl j. Davis horse, which WAS standing
ready sat}tllcd and loaded down with saddle
bags containing gold. This horse Lynch
shot at Macon, Ca, with his own hand rather
than turn over to Col. pritchard, who want
ed the horse to take North.
No men Of the First Wisconsin were in
the camp at ALL The camp was surrounded
by the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and when
this was done Capt. Hudson charged in onto
the Immediate camp with his company. The
firing by this party started the Rebels, who
ahn IN
march. Hearing this firing, jeff, with his
wife and Mrs. johnson, started for the woods,
and had not gone tell rods in tho dusk Of
morning before they ran plump against Cor
poral Munger, of + Company, VINO ordered
them to halt Mrs, Davis was spokesman.
She said, Wont you let us pass to the spring
to get some waterH' Munger, WHO was one
of tile videttes, and had orders to let no one
pass, seeing 4 cavalryman's boots beneath
the Waterproof covering the figure Of the
Rebel President, said: - lou are the party
we are looking for and ordered them about,
Hudson M and Col. Tritcliard. jctf Davis
wore waterproof, bonnet, with shawl |
tied about his neck, and was supported ON
one side by his wife aud OIL the other BY Mrs.
johnson.
The Sc are the facts. The garments are
now at the War Department, at Washington.
The men are still alive, and Corporal Munger
resides in Michigan. Mrs. Davis was very |
indignant, and rated Col. I'r!tclard Sc
she said she wanted him addressed the presi |
dent. C11. rlftchnrd replied that he could know |
him only as sr. D. At this time firing was heard
were posted, ncnriy mile beyond the camp, !
which was soon discovered to he I, detachuent |
Of the First Wisconsin Cavalry. They were
guised in Rebel uniforms. and upon coming !
Upon our men in Federal uniform, IL rnistakc /
then, Rebels, and they suppostnE our men
Rebels. dressed in Federal uniform for Disguise |
IL sSirnsh commenced in which TWO or three
1ncn on both sides were killed and several
wounded, including Lieut.. Eoutclle. who had
command of our advance guard, before the
mistake wns discovered through tho taet o. .nAt
seven shooting, carbines, which VIC knew we're
not used by the Rebels. This nfruy took place
possession Of Capt. iiudsons battalion: anti tho
statement that Wisconsin cavalrysIlan cap
turcd .er Davis horsc IS another fulschood.
Although the First Wisconsin Cavalry were |
mics AWAY at the time Of the capture they we're
allowed to cOr,t III for Ii share OF the re'*ETd OF
$ SlOoUD. Is were also an on'n hcsitneht who
were not within twenty miles OF tho cuptre.
JEFF Davis party, including Gems Reagan, I
Johnson. and Others, were taken to Macon by
stages an from shenee % !" n9rtress ~ f"r M"a
capture with ull possible Kindness Mrs. DAVIS, |
during the unrch at Mucon. rode in an ambu-
luuce with her husband and fAnity, ':as isl tclrs
much ot the time: and coastant!y asking If We We
thought her husband would he hanged .'en
took matters coolly'- und smoked his Ha.cr-
schaun,, aud conyersed pIe.3nntly with the oli-
cer3 during the journey. He dressed IN grey, /
with Il white felt hat, aud wore high top butts
AS sud before, his saddle horse was shot by
Janrs Lynch Ut Macon. and Mrs Davis c.rriage
team, presented to her by the citizens Of ltch-
Lnopi. were appraised a11d bought by Capt.
Hat th:.way of our regiment: who disposed OF
them ut Nashville after the War.
These nrc the facts. and If Gen Wright
[nluyines ho can wipe OUT historical events to
|rnetit his friend ind West Point chum, he
makes Il 4kTcnt mistake.
MoDiry YOU will give this space for the benefit |
If truth und justice, yours respectfully,
An EN-OFF1CER