The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-05
JEFF. DAvIs's SHAWL.
Garment he Wore on HIS Head When
Captured is Now Owned In Chicago.

authentic accounts OF JEFF Davis cap
ture have been many times foisted on
1 the public, but there was one spectator
who witnessed the scene from start TO
nnish, who has never uttered a eylla-
Die. The one silent tongue was a wo-
man $, tongue that for centuries has
peen credited with babbling I'm season
| ana out. But recently In response TO
an inquiry from an honored friend Mrs
Davis for the first time told the story
of the capture.
I'VE were in one tent together when
the warning message came. The mo-
ment was an awful one-death is ter
rible but it's frightful to face captivity
and dishonor. After a moment, of in
tense agitation Mr.. Davis said: My
duty is with the army and must es-
cape
But how?' ! gasped. He stood ir-
resolute. There was no chance to hide
In that little white tent no hope of es-
cape outside of IL. There were two
raglans lying on a chair one of them
belonging 10 him and the other 10 me.
You know they are not unlike a coarse
old-fashioned waterproof, extending
from throat To ankle. 1t was the only
surely IL was no disgrace 10 grasp this
forlorn means Of evading capture.
with trembling hands l seized one
OF them and helped him put il on. When
IL was nearly buttoned we discovered
that i'm our hurry we had taken mine
instead of his. There was no time to
change, and. as l tried to fasten III at
the neck, l could not hide the gray col
lar of his coat. In my dilemma l took |
a small black shawl belonging to my |
mother, and tied il around his head, |
pulling IL we'll over his face and tucking |
1t down around the collar. Just as we |
went out soldier stepped up exclam-
ing:
Halt and give your name'
Mr.. Davis passed on without answer
ing. and turned TO the tent door and |
said:
Z" 1T is my mother; please let her
pass
The man appeared undecided, and a
second soldier rushed up and gave the
same order as the first had done. My
husband attempted 10 pass him. but the
fellow caught hold of the raglan and. |
raising IL rudely. discovered he had |
found the man he sought.
Never shall l forget his triumphant
tone as he commanded Mr.. Davis 10 |
nor the determined note of
defiance in my husbands voice as he
replied:
by the Eternal, I will never sur
render"
"The men drew their weapons and
here was a fierce struggle. 1t could
md but one way, for there were two
against one, and my husband was ham, |
Dered by the raglan. So to save his life |
flung myself between the soldiers. and |
when Mr.. Davis realized my danger he |
quietly surrendered.
And that Was all there was to it,"
he concluded simply. And yet not ALL |
or the lines knit by sorrow and sore |
disappointment on the tender womanly |
ace tells another story.
The shaw which hampered Mr.. Davis |
S now owned by Judge James B. Brad
veil of Chicago. 1t is just piece of
oft. black cloth, thick and warm, n !
ragment of little shoulder shawl that |
lrs. Davis mother used to wear.
Mrs. Davis spends her summers at
'arragansett Pier. From her hotel |
oats a magnificent flag. and one day |
s she returned from r. walk friend |
emarked on it's unusual size and
eauty.
"And to think. Mrs. Davis" said she,
that you should be content to abide
nder this banner; that it should be
our protection as we'll as mine!" u
Mrs. Davis replied passionately:
Its my flag, too! No woman has a |
etter right to IL than I. for in Its de- !
ence my husband received wounds | /,
'om which he almost died. Do you re-
lember in the Mexican war how he led | c
y men against fearful odds. How, | Z
hen they faltered, he cried
Steady, Mississippians. steady; | I
ait until you see the whites of their | I
yes and then pick your mani! [
Have you forgotten how many $
orses went riderless after that awful | 4
large OF Jeff Davis regiment? All, T
es. the flag is mine-mine as we'll as @
Times Herald. d