Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-04-04

finally fix the positions of their troops
at the battle of Chicamauga in prepa-
ration 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 representeias dressed when taken
prisoner in worlan's clothes, and the
enormous hoopskirts then worn. Brig.
Gen. Henry Harnden, then lieutenant
colonel of the First Wisconsin Cavalry,
is present as member Of the commls-
sion. and denies the current stories as
false in this particular. Gen. Harm
den, though now a white-haired vet
eran of seventy-three, grows indignant
whenever he talks of what he terms
the gross exsggerations of a very nat.
ural 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 Spencerre re-
peating carbines, by Gen, James II.
Wilson to overtake and capture Jeiier-
son Davis, who was making his way
in the path of Breckenridge and Ben
iamin, South via Florida to Cuba. Our
course described circle so that We
were overtaken by Col. Pritchard, who
was sent out two days later with the
First Michigan Cavalry. The latter
pushed ahead during the night as news
of 100000 reward offered May 6 had
reached camp before his troops lett,
but We came upon them before day OF
May 10. They fired upon US in the
dark. We replied and drove them
back, and capturinga Michigan cayal-
ryman first discovered we were fight
ING our own soldiers. Two of Col.
Pritchard's men were killed and a
number wounded.
DAVIS was encamped with a party
of forty or sixty about six rods away
from the skirmisbing lines, just over a
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 20 a
private of the First Michigan cried
halt, but did not know whom he bad
captured till ! approached. The hrst
man | addressed was the Confederate
postmaster general, Mr.. Reagan, OF
Texas, since Senator. who very courte-
ously said, Gentlemen, you have
taken the oil gentleman himself.
"The soldier who arr ested Mr.. Davis
said he had a shawl thrown over his
shoulder when he first saw him. re-
ported this circumstance TO Gen. Will
son when returned to Macon with
the distinguished prisoner. The story
telegraphed out from there and in the
confusion by Misunderstanding the
simple fact of wearing his wife's shawl,
maenifed into the ridiculous story
the president Of the Southern Confe9-
eracy was disguised in woman's
clothes. have always branded il az
utterly false, and frequently at post
reunions have made myself exceeding
ly unpopular by denying this yarn.
for untruths like that are sometimes
unpleasant TO believe. would NOT in
jure Mr.. Davis If ] could by allowing
false impression, which was M
willingly instrumental in conveying,
to prevail.
THE capture took place in a forest
OF pine trees near Irwinvills, Irwin
county, Georgia, where Mr. Davis with
his small party had pitched two tents.
The party consisted Of ST. isf7,s and
Mr. Reagan, Col. Harris, bis private
secretary, Mn. Davis, and her sister
teamsterr, ard few unarmsd 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 the way 10 her home in Missis-
sippi, and Mr.. Davis separation from
Gen. Basil pnke's cavalry escort and
the delay cos. him bis liberty
"All the other prisoners. except the
chief, were paroled.
"The fallen chieftain, as he then sp.
peared, was tallish and thin-featured
and nervous, but very dignihed and
stately. and would pass as a high-toned
gentleman i'd any crowd. while he was
dressed modcstly but unusually vel
for the time