Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-01-14
TALKED WITH JEFF DAVIS.
interesting Incident In Army Life
of an Ellsworth Man.
fFrom the Bangor Ne,os.l


nav. clerk in charge on the Calais and
Bangor II. p o., and who has been keep
ing the air full Of Christmas presents the
mast week. Mr.. Day knows some less
than million people between Bangor and
the st. Croix, and several millions in other
narts of the world, and always has q
smile and glad hand for everybody.
II his train hit a dynamite bomb and
dropped Pearl plump down in the Dead
sea, an old college chum would be right
on hand to pull him out.
page out OF Mr.. Days long and event.
ful life, of which he has q particularly
vivid recollection, is the contact with JET
terson Davis, the president OF the south
ern confederacy. lie tells this episode, as
follows:
.sIn 1865, the 14th Maine infantry, OF
which was private in Company A, was
stationed at Savannah with the 18th
Maine and the sth and 18th Indiana regi-
ments. We had the Bangor band for
rerimental music, with Leader Harlow,
now deceased. M. II. Andrews, the
well-known musician, of Bangor, was in
the 18th at the time.
"Our colonel was A. K. Bolan, now
dead. One day while we were camped in
Savannah, the brigade was ordered out,
and we marched up the river toward
Augusta. We learned that Jefferson
Davis had been captured, and that we
were detailed to go up after him. 1 sup
nose we came out in such force, because
there was still rebel strength in the
vicinity of Augusta, and our errand was
very important.
1.-The brigade marched up the river as
far as Sisters Ferry, where my company
was detached. and under Lieut.. Grant
was put aboard steamer. The remainder
OF the brigade went up the shore on foot.
"We awaited the arrival of the main
body at Augusta. When it arrived, the
entire force was drawn up. and in a closed
carriage, Davis was turned over to our
command, together with some of his Of
fcers. They were at once put aboard the
steamer and my company was again de-
tailed to duty aboard OF her. The main
body marched back to Savannah, 200 miles
away, on foot.
party down river to Savannah, where we
took the Clyde line steamer, William p.
Clyde, for Hilton Head. There we were
met by he U. s. cruiser Tuscarora, which
conveyed us to Fortress Monroe, where
the Confederate president was confined.
The Clyde was passenger steamer, which
had been made over into war transport.
tato bod
and fitted.
with Mr.. Davis were bis wife, son and
a daughter. The former was allowed
deck space, two rods on either side of his
room. Privates OF my company guarded
him in turn, and / was thus placed in
contact with him on several occasions.
''One day l was on duty on the deck
near his stateroom, and he was pacing
the narrow space allowed to him. This
was iavorite habit OF his. He stopped
in his walk when he reached the spot
where / was standing, and asked my
name. told him, then he asked me other
questions. He was so easy to talk with,
l suppose wasn't particular about violat-
ing the regulations. One thing led to
another and before I knew it we were
much interested. My grandfalher's name
was Davis and he came from Virginia.
mentioned the fact and also that my name
was half Davis, at which the president
smiled. We discussed the matter a great
deal, and he said, that, curiously enough,
be had brother whose name was exactly
like that OF my grandfather.
II.
relationship, but we had good time talk
ing the thing over. MIR. Davis talked
easily, as il he enjoyed it. He did not
seem to feel his captivity in the least, and
his remarks to me we're free from any
allusion, SO far as can remember, to his
condition.
"Mrs. Davis was a handsome woman,
tall, of fine figure and of splendid carriage
and presence. think she was a typical
southern woman. Her third child, Miss
Winnie, was born few months later,
while Mr.. Davis was in prison. l renem-
Der that when Mrs. Davis came aboard the
steamer it was reported that she had with
her and was wearing the very clothing in
which the president has always been said to
Ha'e made an attempt at escape. Whet her
ne did try that method or not / do not
know, but remember that it was stated
that Mr.. Davis wore the dress. Lieut..
Grant, our commander, wanted the cloth
ing and he said SO to Mrs. Davis. She
raised her heard proudly and refused the
request He announced that he should
take the clothes and she dared him to do
IT, She was a fearless woman.
when We arrived at Fortress Monroe,
was one OF four privates detailed to
guard the president ashore. We were
ordered out, with fixed bayonets and es-
corted him into the cutter and to the
shore. Lieut.. Grant was in command. We
marched up the shore and in through the
sally port. Mr.. Davis was taken into one
OF the classmates OF the fort, where stood.
Lieutenant Grant went in with irons, and
heard scuffie there, but did not leave