The National tribune., 1894-05-17
HAD A HAND IN 1T.
The LIST Wis. Cav. Aided in jeff Davis's
Capture.

Capture.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In an arti
Gle entitled "A Daring DASH" written BY
Lieut. Peabody, 4th Mich. Cav, and pub
lisled in a recent issue, an account wa
given of the Wilson raid through Georgia
and Alabama, ending by an account of The
| capture of Jefferson Davis near Irwinsville
| Ga. No mention is made of the 1st Wis
Cav. by the writer, except that they were
ordered by Gen. Wilson to move down the
north or east bank of the Ocmulgee River
! He speaks of his regiment having heard Of
Davis crossing the Ocmulgee River.
| Col. Harnden placed his command of 72
men in charge of Lieut.. o. p. Clinton, with
orders to move on Davis's trail, while he
himself started off to meet Col. Pritchard.
How far he proceeded up the road toward
Hawkinsville before meeting Col. Pritchard
i am unable to say
Col. Harnden rejoined his command some
time during the afternoon, and stated on
his return that he had met Col. Pritchard
and informed him that we struck Davis's
trail at New Dublin, on the Ogee chez River,
and had steadily followed him TO the cross
ing of the Ocmulgee at Abbeyville, and
were but few hours behind
Col. Pritchard, on learning the facts con-
nected with the case from Col. Harnden,
inquired if he needed more men or fresh
horses to effect the capture. Col. Harnden
replied in the negative, saying that he had
sufficient number of men, and that his
horses were in fair condition. Col. Pritch-
ard then said:
$50 on, Colonel, and effect the capture.
You have followed him thus far and the
honor shall be yours"
We continued following the trail until
overtaken by darkness. We then went in to
camp, and as we had no forage we were
obliged to Craze our horses.
The next morning, just at the break of
day, we broke camp. Serg't Huzzey, of Co.
ID, was ordered TO take the advance with a
detachment of his company. We bad pro-
ceeded but a short distance before we were
startled by volley in our front. We charged
up over small rise of ground in the timber
to where Serg't Huzzey had been ambushed
He stated that he had been fired upon by a
party of dismounted men from among some
fallen timber, and that they were then re-
treating through swamp at the right of the
road.
Col. Harnden Immediately ordered part
of his command to dismount and pursue.
He, taking command of his dismounted men,
of the command, mounted, on the left of the
road and move forward toward the encamp-
ment, which was now visible through the
gray light of morning. We had just fallen
in line when we observed line of cavalry
emerging from across the creek, between us
and the tents
Lieut. Clinton promptly gave the order to
charge and away we went to meet them,
the cracking of Spencers from the dis
mounted line on our right showing that our
boys were pretty holly engaged. We charged
down the slope, using our Spencers as we
advanced. The opposing line faltered, broke,
and fell back across the creek.
Lieut. Clinton, on observing the numbers
of the enemy in our front, Immediately Or
dered his men to dismount and let their
horses 20 to the rear, and as we pressed for
ward we heard cries from the opposite side
of the creek, which at first were unintelligi-
BILE, but soon ascertained them to be cries of
"4th Mich, cease firing!" We were then
within easy Spencer range of Davis's camp.
OF course, as soon as our mistake was dis
covered, we double-quicked into camp ar
irving there just in time to see Davis placed
under guard.
Now, if the comrade will put on his
thinking cap" he will remember that this
is about as correct version of that affair
as can be given. do not wish to rob the
4th Mich. Cav. of any of the glory of having
captured Davis, but believe that it is no
more than right that we receive due share
of that glory.
The reward was divided pro rata among
our command and the 4th Mich. Cav. Our
casualties were three men badly wounded
The 4th Mich. sustained some loss which /
am unable to state. l have endeavOred to
give an impartial account of that capture. 1
had thought the thing was settled long ago,
not to be reopened, but cannot sit idly by
and see our regiment deprived of an honor
that it richly merited.-JoHN CLARK, Ser
geant, Co. b, LIST Wis. Cav, Shannon Ills.