The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-11-24

the Time-ExagSerate Stories of His
disguise.
Our cavalry corps went into camp in
ond around Macon, and in the early
mart Of May it was learned that Jeffer-
son Davis, president of the Confederate
states, was fleeing for. Texas to Join
General Kirby Smith, there to try and
re.establish the Confederacy Orders
were at once issued by General Wilson
for his capture. The First Wisconsin
cavalry was ordered out on the north
or east bank of the Ocmulgee river, and
Colonel Minty ordered out his old regi-
ment, the Fourth Michigan cavalry,
down the south or west side of the same
river, with instructions to intercept and
capture Mr.. Davis and the party with
him Colonel (since GeneraD Mintv.
well known in this city, now a railroad
official in the west, was one Of the finest
and most efficient officers in the late
war. His command, with Wilder's. in
the foremost front, opened the battle On
the noted and bloody field of Chicka-
manga.
At Abbeyville, 70 miles south of Ma
con, it was learned that Davis fleeing
party had here crossed the ferry over
the OCmUlgee and were moving south
ward toward Irwinsville, Ca, 80 miles
below and 100 miles south of Macon.
Lieutenant Colonel B. D. Pritchard in
command Of the Fourth Michigan cav
airy, marched the regiment rapidly
down the river road, and after a 80 mile
ride reached Irwinsville late in the
night and learned that he had got in
advance of the Davis party. EARLY on
the morning of the 10th of Nav he
charged into the camp of the Fleeing
Confederacy," and Mr.. Davis never
joined Kirby Smith in Texas. Many
false and nonsensical stories have been
related about this capture and different
regiments given it's credit. Now these
are the facts:
Jefferson Davis was captured by the
Fourth Michigan cavalry in the early
morning Of May 10, 1865, at Irwins-
vile in southern Georgia. With him
were Mr., John II. Reagan Of Texas, his
/ postmaster general; Captain Moody Of
Mississippi, an old neighbor Of the Da-
Il Wis family; Governor Lubbock of Texas
and ColonelS Harrison and johnson Of
4 his staff; Mrs Davis and her four chill
dou-Maggie, some 10 years old; jeff,
about S; Willie, 5, and a girl baby-a
brother and sister of Mrs. Davis, a
white and one colored servant woman,
q small force Of cavalry, a few Others
and small train of horses, mules, wag-
ons and ambulances, Among the horses
4 were a span Of carriage horses present
n ed to Mrs Davis by the citizens of
Richmond during the heyday Of the
Cmtederacy; also a splendid saddle
horse, the pride Of the president him
] self.
On the 18th of May, the next day
after the capture, and while on our way
back to Macon, as officer of the guard
over the distinguished prisoners, I rode
by the side of Mr. Reagan, later a sena-
tor from Texas. / found him very fine
gentleman, During that day S march a
courier from Macon notified us in print
Ell Slips Of the 500, 600 reward offered
Tor Mr., Davis capture, and which no.
uce connected Davis with the assassina-
ZION Of President Lincoln. When Mr..
Reagan read the notice, he earnestly
a protested that Mr.. Davis had no con-
nectlol whatever with that sOrrOwful
anaIr, History has shown that he had
n none
Besides the suit of mems clothing
Worn by Mr.. Davis he had on when cap
loTed Mrs. Davis large waterproof
oresS u robe, thrown over his own fine
gray ult, and blanket shawl thrown
over MS head and shoulders. This shawl
anu ODE were finally deposited i'll the
aIcm'es of the war department at Wash
'us,o by order Of Secretary Stanton.
In story of the "hoopskirt, sunbon-
u7S @d calico wrapper" had no real eX-
S'el" and was started in the fertile
o'"llS OF the reporters and in the illus
Ia,e. papers of that day That was a
teSDQs moment for Mr.. Davis, He had
"T lght to try to escape in any dis
6OIsI he could use.
LIRE We're many interesting incidents
solncted with this capture, but have
uo' he time now to relate them. OF
,u7 children Of this noted couple Maggie
6 6V up, married and is now living i'll
0So"ado One of the boys died early.
we grew to manhood, married and died
'4 yellow fever near Memphis since
t1' var, and that girl baby grew up
~ ,ommhood and is now a talented
s' ITToeautiful young lady and known as
winnie, the daughter Of the Confeder-