Smyrna times., 1897-12-22
CAPTURE OF DAVIS.
TRUE STORY OF THE TAKING OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERACY.

The Fourth Michigan Cavalry His Cap
tOrs-ThOse With the Ex-President at |
the Time-Exaggerated Stories of His
Disguise.
Our cavalry corps went into camp in
and around Macon, and in the early
part 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 Confedcracy. 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 General) Minty,
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, Ga, 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 May he
charged into tho 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 Twins
vile in southern Georgia. With him
were Mr. John H. Reagan of Texas, his
postmaster general; Captain Moody of
Mississippi, an old ncighbor of tho Da-
Wis family; Governor Lubbock Of Texas
and Colonies Harrison and johnson Of
his staff; Mrs. Davis and her four chill
! dren-Maggie, some 10 years old; Jeff,
about S. Willie, ., and girl baby-a
brother and sister of Mrs Davis, a
white and ono cOlOred servant woman,
small force of cavalry, a few others
and small train of horses, mules, wag-
ons and ambulances. Among the horses
were a span of carriage horses present
ed to Mrs. Davis by the citizens OF
Richmond during the heyday of the
COnfederacy; also splendid saddle
horse, the pride Of the president him
self
On the 18th of May, the next day
after tho capture, and while ON our way
back to Macon, as officer of the guard
over tho distinguished prisoners, rode
by the side of Mr.. Reagan, later a sena
tor from Texas. / found him very fine
gentleman During that days march {
courier from Macon notified us in print
ed slips of the 500, 900 reward Offered
for Mr.. Davis capture and which no
tice connected Davis with the assassina
ton of President Lincoln. When Mr.
Reagan read the notice, he earnestly
protested that Mr.. Davis had no con
nection whatever with that sorrowfu
affair. History has shown that he haC
none.
Besides tho suit of mems clothin,
worn by Mr.. Davis he had Oh when cap
tured Mrs. Davis large waterproof
dress or robe, thrown over his own fin
gray suit, and a blanket shawl throw
over his head and shoulders. This shaw
and robe were finally deposited in tn
archives of the war department at Wash
ington by order of Secretary Stanton.
The story of the "hOopskirt, sunbon
net and calico wrapper" had no real ez
istence and was started i'll the fertil
brains of the reporters and i'll the illus
trated papers Of that day. That was
perilous moment for Mr.. Davis. He ha
the right to try to escape in any di!
guise he could use.
|
connected with this capture, but hav
. not the time now to relate them. c
the children of this noted couple Maggi
=, grew up, married and is now living
Colorado. One Of the boys died early
One grew to manhood, married and die
. with yellow fever near Memphis sine
= the war, and that girl baby" grew u
to womanhood and is now a talente
and beautiful young lady and known {
Winnie, the daughter of the Confede,
acy."
My mind reverts to those days of I'll
war, and 1 often think of that scene an
' the march back from Irwinsvill,
through the somber pine woods, swami
and plantations of southern Georgi
= There i'll the ambulance with his wi
= and baby was Jefferson Davis, a prison,
= of war How weak and small had b.
- come the head and front of that pow
- against which the men in blue had bee
y so long battling! How had the NIGH
- fallen!-Paper by Judge Peabody of
- Louis.