The Washington times., 1904-06-12

tice, they never unpacking their trunks
About TIE time General Lee surrendered
we were Joined In Charlotte by Mr..
Davis secretary, Mr.. Burton Harrison.
and we went by cars to Newberry, y.
C., where we remained a few days, then
TO Abbeville. s. c., and thence 70 Wash
ington, Ga, stopping at the home Of
Colonel Burt. After a short stay here
we embarked D private conveyances for
trip through the lower section OF the
State, and soon after the journey was
began we were oyertaken by Mr.. Davis
Secretary Reagan. Col. William Preston
Johnston. Colonel Lubbock. Colonel
Wood. and other members of Mr.. Davis
official family. together with a detach-
ment Of cavalrymen-
Making for Florida Coast.
1T was only a few nights after Mr.
Davis and his stan Joined us before he
was captured. 1t was Mr.. Davis inten-
ton to push on and join the army be-
yond the Mississippi, which had not then
surrendered. and we were making an
effort 10 get 10 the Florida coast for
safety for the ladies. Every plan had
been well managed up to that time;
there had not been a serious hitch at
any time, but when the Yankees did get
on TO us they made quick and effective
work Mr.. Davis and his party had
evidently been spotted from the time
they left Richmond. and the Yankees
only waited until they got the whole
crowd OF us at one dragging
THE night they got Mr.. Davis 1 was
the first one TO hear the approach Of
the enemy, as I was at work washing
and drying the baby's-Miss Winnie s.
clothes, rs well as some other of the
clothes OF the family. I had about
completed the Job and had the clothes
hung out on the bushes around the fire
so that they would dry. when 1 thought
I heard the sound of tramping horses,
but was not satisfied until 1 put my
ear to the ground and then 1 could hear
the dull, heavy tread of horses, though
I knew they were some distance Off
Knowing that none of our soldiers were
in our rear and none in front, 1 was
convinced that Mr.. Davis was getting in
close quarters-that the enemy had us.
ct went to Mr.. Davis secretary, Mr.
Burton Harrison. and woke him up. but
he was disposed TO doubt me. and said
oh. Jim. go on and go TO bed Then 1
told him to stay where he was and let
the Yankees get him, and 1 then woke
UP Secretary Reagan, who had TO par
ley with me a little. too. BY this time
II was not necessary to put your ear
to the ground to hear the horses foot
steps. for they had got so close that
they were very distinct.
The Capture of Davis.
IT hated to disturb Mr.. Davis, for
knew he was suffering intensely with
neuralgia, but knew. too. that II was
time TO skeedaddle. II we expected TO get
away with whole hides. When 1 en-
tered Mr.. Davis tent l found him Just
in doze and had no trouble in assist
Ing him to get en- his clothes and boots.
He asked me. Jim, is my horse ready?'
1 answered that it was, for IT was one
OF my duties to keep the horse-one of
the finest and fieetest in the country
always saddled and ready to be mounted
at any time.
Mrs. Davis was, naturally, greatly
excited and only had on a portion Of her
clothes when Mr.. Davis kissed her good
by and made out OF the door Of the tent.
rs ne stepped out 1 threw a raglan over
his shoulders, and this raglan was Mrs.
Davis and rot his. and the mistake
was at once discovered by Mrs Davis
and 1 then and there made the ex-