Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-01-20

The Fourth Michigan Cavalry His Cap
the Time-Exaggsrsted 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 on, 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 q railroad
official in the west, was II 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, 20 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 lrwinsviiie, Ga, 80 miles
below and 100 miles south of Macon.
u ~ n.At-- -.
command of the Fourth Michigan cav
airy, marched the regiment rapidly
down tho river road. and after a 80 mile
ride reached Irwinsyille late in the
night and learned that he had got ia
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 n~onseDsical stories have been
related about this capture and difforolt
regiments given its 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
Willie 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-
Wis family: Governor iubbock 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, ), aud u 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 a small train of horses, mules, wag-
OBS and ambulances. Among the horses
were a span Of carriage horses present
cd to Mrs. Davis by the citizens Of
Richmond during the heyday of the
Confederacy; also a splendid saddle
horse, the prideof the ex.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 tho side of Mr.. Reagan, Later y sena-
gentleman. During that days march .
courier from Macon notified M In print
ed slips Of the 500, 900 rewapd offered
for Mr.. Davis capture, and which no.
tice connected Davis with the assussina-
tion Of President Lincoln. When Mr..
Reagan read the notice. be earnestly
protested that Mr.. Davis had mo con
nection whatever with that sorrawful
affair. History has Ehown that he had
none.
Besides tho Srit Of acn's clothing
worn by Mr.. Davis he had ON when cap
1ured Mrs.. Dayis' large waterproof
dress or robe. thrown over his W fine
gray suit, and II blanket shawl thrown
over his head anc. shoulders. This shawl