The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-17


proved music helps to drive out car
bonic acid In dogs and Increases their
consumption of oxygen; 1t also makes
them perspire. As regards the nature
of the music which produces these ac-
tive results. the Russian professor
does not enlighten us.
JEFF DAVIS CAPTURE.
Interesting Narrative OF the Event BY the
Union Soldier Who First Recognized tho
Fleeing Confederate Chieftain.
Jefferson Davis, the head of the con-
federate government, was captured ny
me personally at . o'clock In the morn
ing, May 10. at Irwinsville, Ga. | was
soldier in b company, Fourth Michl-
gan cavalry. at the time. 1rwinsville
is a little town on the Ocmulgee river,
about forty miles south of Macon.
1t was Captain william Penn Sted-
man who said this. He addressed A. II.
Lewis, Washington correspondent of
the Chicago Times Herald. The cap
tain and Lewis had met casually In
Secretary Morton's ofiice-at the agricul-
tural department, where Captain Sted-
man has long been employed. They
were introduced to each other by Sec
retary Morton. Lewis asked Captain
Stedman to tell him the story of Davis
capture. and this was the result:
MAY Z. 1865. the Fourth Michigan
cavalry, with Colonel Pritchard In COM
mand, was at Mcaon, Ga. Our particu-
lar mission on earth just then was to
capture jeff Davis. We knew he was
not far ahead of US, on his flight to the
south. OF course, our information as
to the exact whereabouts Of Davis was
slight and vague. We knew he was
flying southwark, but over what trail
or Just how far he had gotten we didn't
know.
1.-THE First Wisconsin had struck off
southeast from Macon to town called
Dublin. There was no sense In our
taking the same trail. so Colonel
Pritchard decided to keep straight
down the Ocmulgee to the town Of
Abbeyville. We got to Abbeyville just
in time to meet the First Wisconsin.
which, not getting tidings Of Davis at
Dublin. broke back to the southwest
for the river.
Got Trace Of Davis.
I'VE got information from negro
that Davis was farther south, heading
for the town Of Irwinsville. For Won
der, the colored mans information was
made point of thoroughly interview
ing the colored man who had furnished
the Irwinsville information touching
Davis He learned that the trail over
which Colonel Herndon and the First
Wisconsin were travelling swept in a
broad circle to the west of the river,
and was told by the negro that IL the
Fourth Michigan took what was prac-
tically private road close to the river,
to a place called WilcoX's Mill, and then
followed an old abandoned government
road from Wilcox's Mill to Irwinsville.
it would probably be able to head off
and the First Wisconsin.
"Our object from now was twofold.
We not only wanted to capture Davis,
but in order to do 1t we must beat the
First Wisconsin to Irwinsville. 1t was
our understanding that Davis had an
escort of about 100 men. In order to
expedite matters, get ahead of Hern-
don and our Wisconsin rivals, Colonel
Pritchard told off 12S men of the Fourth
Michigan, who were mounted on the
very best horses. With these-and
was one Of them-we galloped Off into
the darkness down the Ocmulgee, over
the blind mill road. which the negro
pointed out. In fact, we took the col
ored gentleman along under tremen-
dous protest on his part. so as to be
sure and not lose our way.
1--WE got to Irwinsville a little after
midnight on the morning of May 10. 1t
was then for the first time that we got
news Of jeff Davis and his party. Our
informant In this instance was also a
negro who didn't know Jeff Davis from
George Washington, wide as the differ
ence was. But he described to us a
party camped about mile and half
north Of Irwinsville, which we took to
be Davis and his people. We had not
only got into Irwinsville ahead Of the
First Wisconsin, but ahead of jeff Da-
Wis also.
The Fugitivcs Surrounded.
Colonel Pritchard organized to sur
round Davis. He dismounted 116 men
Of his 1928, leaving twelve men mounted.
/ was one Of the twelve. He broke the
116 into two parties, giving Lieutenant
burlington thirty men with instruc-
tions to scout quietly around Davis to
the north. The balance Of the 116 were
put under command Of Adjutant Dick
erson, with orders to march directly up
the road to Davis camp. first giving
burlington ample time to go around the
party and get into position beyond
This would bring Davis between Pur-
rington and Dickerson and all chance
for escape would be cut off.
''Purrington and his thirty people
seemed to take their positions with no
more noise than so many cats. The
twelve mounted men, one of whom
was, accompanied Dlckerson. After
we were certain burlington was estab-
lished in the road beyond we marched
without noise or word directly up to
Davis camp. There were wagons
standing about, and two wall tents and
a fly tent were pitched by the side Of
the road. We could see the dim forms
Of men rolled up In blankets and asleep
under the trees and around the wagons
1t was moonlight. but not clear enough
to make anything like a count or form
much of an estimate OF the strength of
Davis party. As we approached we
were expecting every moment to be en-
gagged by his escort. AS 1t Twas, we
didn't even run upon a sentry. and, In
fact, Davis had no sentrles posted. We
didn't know 1t then, but Davis had
parted with his escort the day before.
and was continuing his flight with no.
body but his own personal party.
''When4 we were established In posi-
ton Colonel Pritchard ordered. the
twelve mounted men, and was No.
of the twelve, to advance. We came
in among the tents and wagons at q
trot, expecting resistance. Nobody
stirred; nobody even seemed to wake
up. We halted IN front Of the two wall
tents. and then Captain Hudson. of
Company r. who had immediate charge
Of the mounted detail Of twelve. gave
what struck me at the time as q very
unusual military order I suppose he
was trlfle excited.
GO for 'em. boys said Captain
Hudson.
"The boys went for ''em, that Is,
they aroused the sleepers under the
trees and wagons and disarmed them.
Nobody offered any resistance, and
there was no trouble.
Disguised ~ Negroes.
/ II was sitting on my horse IN front Of
one of the wall tents. An Captain Hud-