The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-19
The Capture OF Davis.


The newspapers arc again discussing the
capture OF Jefferson Davis and the apparel
which he wore al the time. We copy an in
teresting piece from Sundays State on the
subject It is useless for Gen. Miles to try to
Justify his course before the Southern people.
BE simply made q mistake which may or
may not be excused, and that Is all there Is
oft.
Mr. Davis In his Rise and Fall Of the Con.
federate Government" gives this account OF
his capture, which every Confederate will so-
oept as true.
my horse remained saddled and my pistols
In tho holsters, and ] lay down, fully dressed,
70 rest. Nothing occurred TO rouse me until
colored man, who faithfully clung to our for
tunes, came and told me that there was firing
over the branch. just behind our encamp-
ment. stepped out OF the tent and saw some
horsemen, whom l Immediately recognized
- cavalry. deploying around the encamp-
ment. turned back and told my wife these
were not the expected narauders, but regular
troopers she 1mplored me to leave her at
once. hesitated, from unwillingness TO do
20, ana lost few precious moments before
yielding to her importantly. My horse and
arms were near the road on which expected
preached; twas therefore impracticable TO
: reach them. was compelled TO start in the
opposite direction. As II was quite dark in
the tent, picked mp what was supposed to
without sleeves; 1t was subsequently found
70 be my wife's. SO very like my own as to be
mistaken for II; as started, my wife thought
shawl. Ihad gone perhaps nfteen or twenty
yards when trooper galloped up and ordered
me TO halt and surrender, 10 which I gave q
DEFIANT answer, and, dropping tha shawl and
raglan from my shoulders, advanced toward
him he leveIed his carbin at me, but 1 ex
pected, II he fred, he would miss me, and my
1nten ton was In that event TO put my hand
under bis foot, tumble him Off on the other
escape. Ny wife. who had been Watching,
when she saw the soldier aim his carbin al
me, ran forward and threw her arms around
me: success depended on instantaneous &C.
S lion; and, recognizing that the opportunity
had been lost, turned back, and, the NOR
ming being damp and chilly, passed on TO a
hre beyond the TENT"
1t was believed by many that there was no
good feeling between Mr.. Davis and Mr..
Stephens. It was even hinted that Mr.. Steph.
ems thought hostilities should have ceased be.
fore the surrender at Appomattox. When
the collapse came We believe Mr.. Stephens
was at home. When Mr.. Davis took up bis
journey for the West, II was said that some OF
Mr. Stephens friends urged him to escape be.
fore the Union soldiers would capture him
We heard 1t said at the time that Mr.. Steph.
ems replied substantially: - ~-.
mo, ! shall not run. When the Federal
authorities want me, they will find me al
home. I would rather be hanged in Craw.
fordsVille than 10 live in Paris"
Whether the speech was intended as a re-
hection on Mr.. Davis will never be known
Mr.. Stephens had sympathizers in the views
which he was supposed TO hold, and for bis
speech, and for his remaining at home, he
was endorsed by some, though his memory
seems to have been en- tirely overshadowed by
that Of Mr.. Davis.