The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-17
CAPTURE OF OLD JEFF.
How 4th Mich. CaYaIryman Saw the Affair.

tured him, how, and why. 1t reads like rO
nance whereby noble knight by art de-
ceit or trcachery stole the prize from another.
Like other romanCers the abovo-uHmed writer
has drawn largely upon his imagination Jig
noring facts, in order, l srppOse, to make it
read we'll
IL is not tho purpose of the writer to be acr-
mOniOus, or try to detraCt one word from his
statement relative to their long, weary and
hard marches and consequent sutIeTings, but
simply to correct him in his errors. which cast
reflections upon our noble Col. PrtChard, who
was II perfect gentleman, scholar aud hero;
just such man as was wanted in tho army,
especially at this particular time. and in whom
there was no guile
In order to substantiate what say, will use
portions Of Col. P.'s report to the Secretary of
War, covering the capture, etc, which report
can be seen in full Gas we'll as tho disguise in
which Davis tried TO escape) by anyone suf
ficentIy interested as to call at the War Depart
ment at Washington, where both arc safely
kept TO this day.
Comrade Stuart says they left Macon, Ga.
during the afternoon of the 9th OF May, aud
marched night aud day until noon Of the third
day, when they reached the Ocmugee River,
and thought they had their game coOped, AS
undoubtedly they could have done Ind there
been much celebrity to their movements. But
jeff crossed tho river and flew, while they
crossed the river aud went into camp for an
hour
Here he says, our regiment, the 4th Mich
Cav, overlook them, or hove in sight just
they were pulling out, and their Colonel (Harn-
DEM fell out and waited for as TO come up to see
who we were. Also, that Col. p agreed TO wait
there so in case Col. II. wanted any help no
would know where to find him.
Now, let's take Pritchard's report up to this
time He says: II have tho honor to report
that in obedience 10 orders received from Col.
X. ii. u. Minty, commanding division, l loft
Macon. Ga, at o'clock p. M. on the 9TH inst,
In command Of tho 4th Mich. Cav"
Just make note OF this: 20 o'clock p m,
9TH inst. over "a hours after the Wisconsin
cavalry left the same place, aud we overlook
them mt tho river, or Abbyville.
Pritchard says: " ! here met Col. Harnden,
OF the lst Wis, who said that he the track
of the train, aud that his mcu were from one
to two hours in advance, and rs Col. III. said
Ito had ample force TO contend with that sup
posed TO 10 with the train, | decided not to
| move on the same road with him. and CON
tiuued my course three miles further down the
| river. where learned additional facts regard
| ing the train and the parties with It, aud at
| once determined to pursue by another road,
| which | had also learned of after leaving
| Col. H., which led into lrwinsvlle by cir
| cutous route, believing that if they were hard
| pressed Mt any time they would pass from road
| to road TO battle the efforts Of their pursuers"
Does this look as though Pritchard had
agreed with Col II. to stop anywhere? No;
| but to the contrary.
Again. :" put the column In motion, moving
| down the river road II miles thence by blind
| road. through an almost unbrokeu waste of
pine forest, for distance of Is miles ia south
westerly direction to IrwinsviIe which was
| reached about o'clock in the morning of the
| 10th inst. Here. passing my command as Con-
| federates and inquiring for our train, repre-
senting that We were rear-guard left to fight
| back the Yankees, etc, learned of the inhabit-
| ants the whereabouts Of the train and at once
| turned the head of the column in that direc-
ton, impressing negro for a guide"
| We had now marched clear around the Ist
| Wis. aud started back to meet them and crush
JEDI Davis between US, providing that they got
! there in time.
Comrado Stuart further states that VIC did
| not leave Macon until after we were told Of the
! magnificent reward which had boon offered for
the capture OF Davis ana party. and intimates
that that WAS tho prime object We had in view
tho securing Of that prize money.
Lot Us what Col. T.. has to say regarding it.
In closing bis report Prtchard says:
This closes my account of the capture and
custody up To tho time of his being turned over
to the United States authorities. OF the great
conspirator aud traitor Jefferson Davis But /
would not close this report without recording
nay evidence Of the high merits of every officer
aud soldier IN the command for their earnest
| zeal aud untiriug perseverance, through sleep
| less nights and long. weary marches. going en-
| tiroly without food or rest for As consecutive
| hours; aud It is with great consolation that
am able to state that whatever efforts we're put
| forth. either by individuals or by the com
mand for the capture of Davis, they were not
| called forth by the glitter OF gold or excited
by prospective rewards. but were actuated by
patriotism and the highest sense OF a soldiers
duty; for no knowledge of the Presidents proc
-.
wards for tho capture of Davis, were received
until two days after the capture"
Again, Stuart says that Pritchard knew whom
he was fighting, for Davis told him that he was
fighting his own men, aud that he Davis had
no with him. Now, the fact is, Col. L.
never saw Davis until after the fight was over,
and ho returned TO the camp (Joii-sl, for it will
be remembered that the firing between the LIST
Wis. aud Lieut.. Purnton opened within two
minutes after Jefs camp was fully in our pos
session.
Col. p. says. in his report:
AT this moment took all the men, except
"a few to guard the camp and prisoners, and
went in person TO Purinton's support" And
farther back in his report says: Upon return.
ing To camp / WAS accnsted by Davis from
among tho prisoners, who asked II | was the
officer in command. Upon answering him that
was, aud asking what | was TO call him. lac
replied that might call him what or whoever
| ! pleased; when replied that would call him
Davis, aud, after - moments hesitation he said
that was his name"
Does the above read as though they had ever
met before2 No; and, for fact, they never
had. Aud | think it very ungentlemanly IN
COmrade Stuart 10 make such charge against
anyone without being fully able to prove it
No one regretted the accident more than Col
T., rs you will SEQ ii you read his report.
lie says: This lamentable accident arose
principally from tho refusal of the Sergeant in
charge of tho advance guard of the lst WIS., e
give tho proper response tc the challenge Of
Lieut.. Purnton."
Proper Tesponsei What was the response
they gavo2 1t was dozen or Is bullets fFed
from Spencer earbnes into faces, one O
them going clear through one of our boys, kill
ing him on The spot. very improper response
| think.
Now, comrades, this fight was the saddest and
most painful experience of my army life.
wish could Danish it from my recollection
and do hope that | shall never again SEQ any
thing that will bring it bacl, To mo SO wildly
as this letter of Comrado Stuart's has done.
assure you never again will let my mind anC
thoughts dwell upon il rs | have while writing
this letter.. II. COLLIER, Co. l., 4th Mich
, Cav, Marquette, Mich.
81 TILT nOE- c~~nz -