The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-16
True Story Of Capt
IRE of JEFF Davis
Continued from page 2

dent Lincoln. Some troops by the
wayside had the proclamation, which
was displayed with vociferous dem
onstrations of exultation over my
capture. When we arrived at Macon
I was conducted to the hotel where
Gen. Wilson had his quarters. A
strong guard was in front of the en-
trance, and when l got down to pass
it. il opened ranks, facing inward
and presented arms. A commodious
corner was assigned to myself and
family. After a while the steward
OF the hotel called and inquired
whether | would dine with General
Wilson or have dinner served with
myself and family in my room. I
chose the latter. After dinner I re-
ceived q message from Gen. Wilson
asking whether he should wait upon
me, or whether | would call upon
him. | rose and accompanied tho
messenger to General Wilson's pres
ence. We had met at West Point
where he was a cadet, and I was a
commissioner sent by the congress to
inquire into the affairs of the acad-
envy. After some conversation in re-
gard to former times and our COM
mon acquaintance he referred to the
proclamation offering reward for
my capture. Taking it for granted
that any significant remark of mine
would ereported to his government
and fearing that | might never have
another opportunity to give my opin-
ion OF A. Johnson. | told him there
was one man in the United States
who knew that proclamation to be
false. He remarked that my express
sion indicated particular person. |
answered that | did, and the person
was the one who signed it, for he at
least knew that l preferred Lincoln
to himself. Some other conversation
theroccurred in regard to the route
on which we were to be carried. Hav-
ing several small children, one of
them an infant, l expressed a prefer
ence for the easier route by water,
supposing then, as he seemed to do,
that | was to go to Washington City.
He manifested a courteous, obliging
temper, and, either by the authority
with which he was invested or by
obtaining it from a higher power,
my preference as to the route was
accorded. | told him that some of
the men with me were on parole, and
that they all were riding their own
horses-private property-and that l
would be glad if they should be per-
mitted to retain them, and | have a
distinct recollection that he prom
Used me it should be done; but | have
since learned that they were all de-
prived of their horses, and some who
were on parole, viz, Major Maron,
Captain Moody, Lieutenant Hatha-
way, Midshipman Howell and Private
Messee, who had not violated their
obligations of parole, but had been
captured because they had been
found voluntarily travelling with my
family to protect them from maraud-
ers, were sent with me as prisoners
of war and all incarcerated, in disre
gard of the protection promised
when they surrendered. AT Augusta
we were put on a steamer and there
met Vice-President stephens, Hon. C.
G.. Clay, who had voluntarily surren-
dered himself upon hearing that he
was included in the proclamation for
the arrest of certain persons charged
with completely in the assassination
of Mr.. Lincoln; General Wheeler,
the distinguished cavalry officer and
his adiutant, General Rails. My pri
vate secretary, Burton N. Harrison,
had refused to be left behind, and,
though they would not allow him to
go in the carriage with me, he was
resolved to follow my fortunes, as
we'll from sentiment as in the hope of
being useful. His fidelity was re-
warded by long and rigorous inn
prisonment. At Port Royal we were
to seagoing vessel,
which, instead of being sent to Wash
ngton City, was brought to anchor at
Hampton Roads. One by one all my
in misfortune were sent
away, we knew not whittier, leaving
IN the vessel only Mr.. Clay ana his
wife, and myself and family. After
some days detention, Clay and my
self were removed to Fortress Mon
roe and there incarcerated in seper-
lite cells. Not knowing that the gov
was at war with women and
asked that my family
night be permitted to leave the ship
and go to Richmond or Washington
City or to some place where they had
but this was refused.
then requested that they might be
to go abroad on one of the
7essels lying at The Roads. This was
llso denied. Finally | was informed
hat they must return to Savannah
IN the vessel by which they came