Evening journal., 1902-05-30
HOW GENERAL JAMES H. WILSON
BROUGHT ABOUT CAPTURE OF DAVIS

to the identity of the third person was
removed. The individuals thus ar
rested were found to be Miss Howell.
Mrs. Davis and Jefferson Davis. AS
they walked back to the tent Lieuten-
ant Dickinson observed that Davis
top boots were not entirely covered by
his disguise. and this fact led to his
recognition by Corporal Munger.
His Interview With Davis
"When Davis arrived at Macon he
looked bronzed. but hardy and vigor-
Gus, and had entirely recovered his
equanimity and easy bearing" saws
General Wilson regarding his famous
interview with Davis. After he had
dined / had an interview with him last
ing over an hour, during which he
talked freely and pleasantly about n
variety of subjects.
'He asked about Uhe different profes
sors at West Point. discussing their
merits and peculiarities with spirif
and good humOr. showing clearly that
he had neither forgotten them. nor hts
own experience as a cadet Thence NE
was led to a discussion OF mis- own
generals. He spoke In the highest
terms OF Lee, declaring him to be the
aDlest. most courageous, and the most
aggressive; in short, the most worthy
or all his lieutenants. He condemned
the generalship of johnson. and
charged him with timidity and insub-
ordination. He ridiculed the pedaDtrv
or Beauregard and deprecated
the gallant rashness of Hood.
On the other hand, he expres-
sed Lis admiration for the surprising
skill and persistency Of Grant. the
brilliancy of Sherman and all the solid
Qualities Of Thomas.
In the course of our conversation
ha referred to Mr.. Lincoln and his un-
timely death. speaking of him in terms
Of respect and high persooaI regard.
He seemed to regret particularly that
Mr.. johnson had succeeded to the
presidency, adding that both he and
the Southern people would find him
much more implacable and vindictive
than Mr.. Lincoln. He remarked. in
reference to the reward offered for
his arrest, as an accomplice in the as
sassinatiOn. that, while he was sur
prised that such a charge should have
been brought against him, he had NO
serious apprehension of trouble there
from.
In this connection he said: I doubt
not, General. the Government of the
United States will bring a much more
serious charge against me than that.
and one which it will give me much
greater trouble to disprove'-evidently
referring to that of treason.
"Other subjects were mentioned, and
during the conversation he sent for
and introduced his little boy. His con-
duct throughout was dignifed and
eminently self-preserved. He spoke
with great precision, and with more
than an ordinary degree of suayity
but withal. producing upon me the
impression that he was acting, and not
unnaturally. a borrowed character. AT
ter learning the disposition 1 was or
dered to make Of him, he said: I sup
pose, as a matter of course, tina
Colonel Pritchard is to be my Gus.
| todiln, hereafter as hereto.
fore. and 1 desire to express my
satisfaction at this. for he has treated
me with marked courtesy and con.
sideratiOn. l have no fault to fine
with him and hope you will tell hin
$50. I should do so myself, but for the
fact that it might look like a prisoner.
effort to make fair weather with his
captor.'
"He spoke particularly of the dig
nifty and self-possession Of Colone
Pritchard. and did not conceal a regre
that he had not been so fortunate il
his own conduct at the time Of his cap
{ ture."
i Quite a singular coincidence in thu
i life of General Wilson is, that after tn,
elapse Of just one-third of a century
he was in command of a great bod.
of men in Macon. Ca, and had hi
quarters in the same house and th'
same room in which he received JEFF
n ferson Davis. That was during th'
Spanish-Anerican war. Ellen Orr.