Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-27
CAPTURE OF DAVIS.
STORY TOLD ny COMMANDER OF
WISCONSIN CAVALRY.
Denial OF the Rubbish About the
Confederate Presidents Vaving
Eecn Disguised In Woman's
Clothes.

CHATTANOOGA. TENN, March 26.-
The visit OF the Wisconsin State COM
mttee TO this city to finally fix the posi-
tions OF their troops at the battle Of
Chickamauga, In preparation for the To-
cation Of monuments. has brought 10 light
the real facts as TO the capture OF JEFF
ferson Davis. The head OF the Confede-
racy has been misrepresented as dressed
when taken prisoner in woman's clothes
and the enormous hoop-skirts then worn
by the gentle sex. Brigadier-Generai
Henry Herndon. then lieutenant colonel OF
the First Wisconsin Cavalry, is present
as member OF the committee and says
the current stories are false in this par
ticular. General Herndon. though now n
white-baired veteran Of 70, grows indig-
nant whenever he talks of what he
knows to be the grossest exaggeraton of
a very natural action on the part of Mr.
Davis. In relating the story he said
May C, 1865. / was specially detailed
from Macon. with 80 picked men Of the
Firs; Wisconsin Cavalry. the command
being armed with Spencer repeating car
blncs. by General James III. Wilson, to
oVertake and capture jefferson Davis,
who was making his way in the path
Of Breckinridge and Benjamin south, via
Florida, 10 Cuba. Our course described a
circle. so that we were overtaken by Col
onel Pritchard. who was sent out two
days later with the First Michigan Cav
airy. The latter pushed ahead during the
night, as news Of the 10000 reward Of
fered on May 9Th had reached camp be-
fore his troops left, but we came upon
them before daybreak of May 10TH They
fred upon us in the dark. We replied and
drove them back, and, capturing "A Michi-
gan caValIyman, first discovered we were
fighting our own soldiers. Two of Colonel
Pritchards men were killed and a num-
Der wounded.
TnE CAPTURE.
Davis was encamped with n party Of
forty or fifty. about six rods away from
the sldrmish-lines, just over q little
swamp. and was 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 private
Of the First Michigan cried Halt" but
ud not know who he had captured Till
! approached. The first man | addressed
was the Confederate Postmaster-General,
Alr. ReHRdns OF ifNAS, Slllct hfidtOI, WIN
very cOurteOusly said: Gentlemen, you
have taken the old gentleman himself"
'"rhe soldier who arrested Mr.. Davis
| said he had q shawl thrown over his
shoulder when he first saw him. | re-
ported this circumstance to General Will
| son. When | returned TO Macon with
| the distinguished prisoner the story was
| telegraphed out from there, and in the
| confusion and by misp'i iersianding the
simple fact Of wearin. mis- wifes shawl
! was magnfied into the ridiculous story
| that the President OF the Southern Con-
| lederacy was disguised in woman's
! clothes have always branded II as ut
| terry false, and frequently at post re-
unions have made myself exceedingly un-
popular by denying this yarn. for un-
! truths like that are sometimes pleasant
! 10 believe. ! would not injure Mr.. Davis
! If | could by allowing a false impression,
| which ] was unwillingly instrumental In
creating to prevail.
THE PRESIDENT PETTISH
"rhe capture took place in forest
| OF pine trees. near Irwinvillc. Irwin coun-
| ty, Ca, where Mr.. Davis, with his small
party had pitched two tents. The party
| consisted Of Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Reagan,
| Colonel Harrison. his private secretary,
Mrs Davis and her sister teamsters. and
a few unarmed soldiers. The larger fight
| ing escort had left him the day before.
and Mr.. Davis appeared very pettish, and
| blamed his wife in my presence for de-
laying them. She was on the way 10 her
home. in Mississippi. and Mr.. Davis's
separation from General Basil Duke 5
cavalry escort and the delay cost him
his liberty"
"AH other prisoners except the chief
were parolled.
"The fallen chieftain, as he then ap-
pearpd. was tallish, thin-featured, and
nervous. but very dignhed and stately.
and would have passed as a high-toned
gentleman In any crowd. while he was
dressed modestly. but unusually well for
the time"