The National tribune., 1883-07-26
JEFF. DAVIS CAPTURE.
The Official Report of General Thomas
in Regard to Ii.

At the request of several subscribers we pub
Iish the following extract from the report Of
Major-General George H. Thomas, which gives,
with characteristic nnpartiality, the part per-
formed by the First Wisconsin cavalry and the
Fourth Michigan cavalry in the capture of jeff
erson Davis:
ION the Sd Of May, Davis dismissed his
escort at Washington, Ca, and, accompanied by
about halt adOzen followers, set out to endeavor
TO pass cur lines Nothing definite was learned
OF the whereabouts of the fugitives until ON
the evening of the 9TH of May the First Wis
eonsin cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel Henry
Harnden commanding, with $50 men, ascer-
tanned at Dublin, on the Oconee River fifty
five miles southeast from Macon, that Davis
and party had crossed the river at that point
during the day and had moved ont on the jack
sOnville road.
AT daylight ON the sth, Colonel Harnden
continued the pursuit, finding the camp Oecu-
pied by Davis on the evening previous between
the forks of Ali gator Creek, which was reached
Just four hours after it had been vacated The
trail was pursued IS far as the ford over Gum
Swamp Creek, Pulaski county, when darkness
rendered it too indistinct to follow and the
command eReampcd for the night, having
marched forty miles that day.
g" On the 9Th, Colonel Harnden pushed on to
the Oemulgee River, crossed at Browns Ferry,
Davis train had lett that place at / a. M the
same day. and had gone towards IrwiusviIIe, in
Irwin county. With this information Colonel
Harnden moved rapidly on towards the latter
town, hating within a short distance of it to
wait for daylight, in order to make certain Of
the capture. Before leaving Abseville Colonel
HaTnden, learning of the approach from the
direction of Hawkinsville of the Fourth 1Iiehi-
gan cavalry, Colonel Pritchard commanding,
went to meet that officer, and informed him Of
his close pursuit OF Davis. Colonel Pritchard
stating, in reply, shat he had been sent to Able
vile also to watch for Davis. After Colonel
| Handens departure Colonel Pritehard, with
part of his command, started for Irwinsvilie by
more direct route than that used by the de-
tachment of the First Wisconsin arriving at
Irwinsyille at a. on the 10th, when on in
qCiry it was ascertained that there was a camp
about mile from town on the other road lead
ing to Abbeville. Approaching cautiously, for
fear they might be ourO men, Colonel Pritch-
ard sent dlsmOunsed party to interpose be-
tween the camp and AbbevilIe, and then waited
for daylight to move forward and surprise the
occupants. Daylight appearing, q rapid adj
vance was made and the encampment surprised,
resulting in the capture of Jefferson Davis and
family, John III. Reagan, Postmaster Gen.
eral of the so-ealled Confederacy; two aids de-
camp, the private secretary Of Davis, four other
officers, and eleven enlisted men. Almost imme-
diately after the completion of the above move
ment, Colonel Harndens men coming down the
Abbeville road were hailed by the party sent
out during the night by Colonel Pritehard to
secure the capture of the camp, and ON being
challenged answered friends but fell back
under the impression that they had come upon
an enemy, whereupOn shots were exchanged
before the real position of affairs could be as
eertained, resulting in the loss on one side OF
two men killed and one wounded, and OF three
wounded on the other
Considerable feeling was caused by the
manner in which the Fourth Michigan effected
the apprehension of Davis TO the detrinent OF
Colonel Harndens party, bat great credit is
justly due, and should be given, to the First
Wisconsin cavalry for the persistefey of its
pursuit, and it is only to be regretted they did
not arrive on the ground in time to reap the
benefit of their labors.
For the full particulars of the operations OF
both attachments, / have the pleasure TO refer
yen to the reports of LieGtenan5-Colonel Harm
den, First Wisconsin, and Captain Hathaway,
Fourth Michigan"