The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-04-11


The visit of the Wisconsin State Com
mission to this city to finally fix the
positions OF their troops at the battles
Of Chicamauga in preparation for the
location of monuments, has brought to
light the real facts as to the capture of
Jefferson Davis.
The head of the Confederacy has
always been misrepresented as dressed
when taken prisoner, in women's
clothes and the enormous hoop skirts
then worn. Brig. Gen. Harry Harm
den, then Lieutenant Colonel of the
1st Wisconsin Cavalry, is present as
member Of the commission and denies
the current stories as false in this par
ticular.
General Harnden, though a white
haired Veteran of seventy three, grew
indignant when told of the story of
what he calls the gross exaggerations Of
a very natural action by Mr.. Davis.
In relating the story he said MAY 6,
1865, was specially detailed from
Macon with $50 picked men of the
First Wisconsin Cavalry, the only
command then armed with Spencer
repeating carbines, by General James
H. Wilson, to overtake and capture
Jefferson Davis, who was making his
way in the path Of Breckenridge and
Benjamin, South via Florida to Cuba.
Our course described circle so that
we we're overtaken by Col. Pritchard.
who was sent out two days later with
the first Michigan cavalry. The latter
rushed ahead during the night as news
Of 100000 reward offered on May
9th had reached camp before his
troops left, but we came upon them
before day break Of May 10th. They
fired upon US in the dark. We re-
piled and drove them back and cap
turing a Michigan cavalryman, first
discovered we were fighting our own
soldiers. Two of Col. Pritchard's
men were killed and number
wounded.
Davis was encamped with party
of 40 or 50 about six rods away from
the skirmishing lines, just over little
swamp, and asleep at the time, but
was awakened by the first firing, and
dressing quickly, stepped out into the
door of his tent. As he did so a pri-
vate of the First Michigan cried
"Halt," but did not know who he had
captured till approached.
The first man saw was the Con-
federate Postmaster General, Mr..
Reagan, of Texas, who very courteous
ly said: "Gentlemen, you have taken
the old gentleman himself" The SOL
dier who arrested MIR. Davis said he
had shawl thrown over his shoulders
when he first saw him. l reported
this circumstance to General Wilson.
We returned to Macon with the dis
tingushed prisoner, and the story was
telegraphed out from there, and in the
confusion the simple fact that he had
his wife's shawl around him was mag
ni6ed into the ridiculous story that
Mr.. Davis was disguised in women's
clothes. l have always branded it as
utterly false, and frequently at Post
reunions have made myself exceed
ingly unpopular, by denying this yarn,
for untruths like that are sometimes
| pleasant to believe.
l would not injure Mr.. Davis, if l
could, by allowing false impression
which l was unwillingly instrumental
in creating to prevail. The capture
took place in a forest of pine trees,
near Irwinville, Irwin county, Ca,
where Mr.. LAWS with his small party
mad pitched two tents. The party
consisted of Mr.. Davis and Reagan,
Col. Harris and his private secretary,
Mrs. Davis and her sister, teamsters
and a few unarmed soldiers. The
larger fighting escort had left him the
day before and Mr.. Davis appeared
very pettish and blamed his wife in my
presence for delaying them. She was
on her way to her home in Mississippi
and Mr.. Davis separation from Gen.
BAIL Dukes cavalry escort and the
delay cost him his liberty.
All other prisoners, except the
chief were paroled. The fallen chief
tain as he then appeared was tall,
thin featured and nervous but very
dignified and stately and would pass
as high-toned gentleman in any
crowd, while he was dressed modestly,
but unusually we'll for the time.