Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-03-22

sick bed suffering from his wound
but performed his duty so well that Il
resulted in the capture of the confed-
crate chief at Irwinsvile. Ga. At the
capture of Davis an unfortunate COLI
sion occurred in the darkness between
Harnden's men and those of the 4th
Michigan cavalry which resulted in the
death OF two men. A congressional in
yestlgaton exonerated Gen Harnden
from any blame in the affair.
On July 10, 1865, while at EhgeGeld,
Tenn. Gen. Harnden's horse fell and
rolled, breaking his riders leg Gen.
Harnden, with really remarkable
record, was mustered out July 10, 1865.
On his return home he was immedi-
ately elected to the Wisconsin legisla-
ture from Jefferson county In 1865,
Gov. Fairchild appointed him trustee
of the soldiers orphan home In 1878
he was appointed internal revenue coll
lector which Office he held for ten
years. He then followed farming for a
number of years and later removed to
Madison. In 1899 he was elected de-
partment commander of the Grand
Army for Wisconsin He was very en-
thusiastic in grand army work, an
ardent champion of pensions, and mob
ly loyal to his comrades of old.
By new rule adopted at the last ma
tional encampment Senior Vice Com
mander S. H. Tallmadge OF Milwaukee
at once becomes department command
er and b. r. Robinson of Baraboo, now
junior vice, becomes senior vice, while
the council of admin istration Will be
called together to fill Robinson'S place.
Lucius Fairchild post will meet to-
morrow evening to make arrange
nents to attend the funeral.
Gen. Harnden was always a most en-
thusiastic hunter and it was but win
ter or two since that he shot his last
bear in the wilds of Minnesota near the
headwaters of the Mississippi. Years
ago he attended the Methodist church,
but Of late his alleg iance was rather to
the Congregationalists
Capture of jeff Davis
Gen. Harnden's own story of the cap
ture of jeff Davis is thrilling. In sub
stance it is as follows, as published re-
Gently in the Wisconsin Historical Col
lections:
II NJ hill
Tenn by General Thomas, on December IL ~,
1854 the union cavalry under ten. james ii.
Wilson pursued the retreatinG coniederates un-
til the remnants of their army escaped across
the Tennessee river into Mississippi Then Gen.
Wilson encamped his cavalry at 6rayelly
Springs and Waterloo, along the line OF the len
nessee river, preparatory to the, co,IIn,euce'
ment of his great raid through naoa'1 ltr
the confederate Gen. Forrest and the seat
tering aud capture of the greater patt OF me-
army; it also resulted in the cantole OF
Selma and Montgomery, Ala. and CoiuihouS
and West Point Ga., eliminating with the cap
ture of Macon. ga. The first Wisconsin caFailS
were of these forces, and bore consi'ituitus
part in all that was accomplished, during il,S ~
the greatest and most successful cavalry r; VI
the war. The regiment was in the second pias
adc first division cavalry corps, of the milii1i
division Of the Mississippi army of the Cum 'e'-
land. The division was commanded by Mai
Gen, Alexander Med. McCook tho corps h.,
Matt Wilson, the brigade by Col II Ia
Grange and the regiment by Lieut.-Col Henrr
Harndeu.
Towards the evening of May s, 1865. when ,ye
We're encamped about mile north of Macon
Ga, received orders to report to d vision had
quarters. ! mounted my horse and rode over
there finding Gen John I. Croxton in cnnn,,a-d
in the absence of ten. McCook The general IN
formed me that il was reported that JefIerSon
Davis, president of the confederacy was in south
Carolina, making ms way sonth into Georgia
that portion of his cabinet were with him. and
that they were accompanied by go or zoo mon
that had been selected To command a detarh,
mcnt of $50 men from the first Wisconsin cav.
airy, to endeayor 10 cut him of, and cnptnre
him If possible. | inquired il he tboupLt 15a
men a sufficient number to take on the expedi.
ton. He replied that in the opinion of Gen
Wilson, il Was. He explained that Inc esror, of
Davis was greatly demoral2ed. and many were
leaving him that they would he poorly armed
and il was doubtful If they would fight at All r
but II they should fight, he would risk our being
able to take care of them. He said that tho
country through which our rontc lay was yer,
poor, and that it would be difficult 10 ,uhsi.t a
large party, and that we must start immediately
and not wait FOR ratlons - adding as loft him
that if there was fight, aud Jefferson Davis
should get burt, Gen. Wilson would not feel Yory
bad over it.
then returned to the camp Of ny regimen,
and soon had detail Of $50 men selected, ali
we'll armed and mounted We ptocpeded
through Macon, and crossed the bridge over the
0chmulgee river aud then took y line OF march
towards Savannah. Gen. troxion had furnished
me with a large map Of Georgia so that was
able to shape my course correctly. Several
regiments were sent of ia ditereut directions 10
intercept Davis, after we had started
During the night We came to a plantation
where there was forage, So We halted and fed
our horses. Up 10 this time. the men had no
idea as to whore we were gOitg, or for what pur.
pose We had been ordered ont, bat when ready
10 mount our horses, | made known the object
of our expedition frankly told them that If
we encountered Davis and his ost ort thet
would greatly outnumber US that they Were
probably the pick ~ the confederate army and
that they would fight desperately = Il would be /
a battle 10 the death. | added that Jefferson |
Davis must not be allowed TO escape IN ans
event: but as we had never boon whipped (
I had no fear Of being whipped nov An Of /
which was greeted with cheers.
We continued our march all night ana I
through the nest day May until near even. |
ing when we arrived at Dublin, considerable I,
town situated on the west bank Of the Oconee B
river | had sent ont scout, al intervals 10 en- /
dCayor 10 get information Ia regard 70 parties /
who we're continually crossing our road, % AS I
certain If some OF these might not be the Davis 4
party. bot they always proved 70 be from John +
ston's army, who, having surrendered a short I
time before to Sherman, were going home on /
parole These diversions caused our march to I
be somewhat DELAYED Upon arriving at Dub. |
lin ! noticed that the people were considerably /
excited at pur presence but | caused II to be- /
given cut that we were establishing courier 1
posts between Macon and Savannah. We i
biyauacked on a fiat between the town I
and the river. had several invitations from I