The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-01
The Capture of jeff Davis.

To the Editor of the indianapolis JournaI
In the Journal OF April 20 saw a version, by
+ General Harnden, Of the First Wisconsin regi-
ment, of the capture of JEFF Davis In this ac-
count he does not mention the part taken in
that capture by any others than the First Wis
consin and the Fourth Michigan cavalry.
wish that proper credit may also be given to
General Wilson's scouts for their participation
in that capture, but not any special credit for
having permitted him TO live
Shortly after Wilson's corps of cavalry had
captured Macon, Ca, number of scouts were
ordered to report to Lieutenant-colonel Pritch-
ard for duty. I, with six Others was ordered to
60 to Andersonvle with detail to relieve any
prisoners who might yet remain in that prison
pen, and there await further orders There
secret instructions were received for the scouts
to proceed to Americas, Ca, from where to
scour the country and gain information as to
the whereabouts of jeff Davis, who was attempt
ing to escape from the country. We remained
at Americas few days, boarding at the resi-
dence of Ichabod Davis, wealthy Southerner.
We were disguised in rebel uniform and in
formed him that we were Confederate soldiers
belonging to Johnstons army and had been pa
rolled by Sherman. Under these circumstances
we received good treatment While there we
went one day a fishing excursion with
number of young people to place few miles
east of Americas. While at the river, there be-
ing no doubt that we were rebels, we were told
that JEFF Davis was coming that way from Dub
lin, Ga. We then gently and cautiously sepa-
rated ourselves from the fishing party and went
toward Abbeville, and when there heard from
an old negro that jeff Davis was making for
Irwinsville. Ga. Whip and spur, we then rode
for Irwinsvlle. and on the way ran into the
First Wisconsin cavalry, who took US for rebels.
We made ourselves known and were ordered to
take the advance, which we did While feeling
way along we were fired upon, we sup
posed, by the rebels and then took to the left of
a swamp, when were fred upon again. We
then discovered that we had been fired upon by
our own men. 1t was Jesse Burroughs, Ninety
eighth Illinois; Nathan Allen, One Hundred and
Twenty third Illinois; .'Waxey," Seventeenth
Indiana and myself, Seventy second Indiana all
corps scouts who went to the left of the swamp
in the charge and then recognized William
Trevellian and John Bowers, scouts, who had
been sent with the Fourth Michigan. Shortly
after we Joined the Fourth Michigan, which had
already captured jeff Davis and those with him.
There were only two Indiana bows present at
the time and write this that Wilson's corps
scouts may receive at least little credit for
making the effort they did to capture JEFF, as
one of our number was lost in the effort. shall
always regret that we did not deal with him as
be deserved when we had him In our power. Ii
we had done so the old soldiers would not be
compelled to hear his praises lauced to a higher
point by his sympathsers than the names of a
Washington, a Lincoln or Grant. Hoping
through the medium of this letter to hear from
some one of Wilson's corps scouts, remain yours,
A. r. TUCKER,
Medical Director Dept. of Ind. G. A r.
CICERO Ind