USA > Michigan > Annual report of the Adjutant General of the State of Michigan for the year, Vol. I > Part 5
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At this moment a new scene opened, destined in its mourniul results to cloud the otherwise perfect and glorious success of our expedition. We had not held possession of the camp but a few minutes, and not long enough to ascertain the extent of our capture, when sharp firing was com- menced between the dismounted force under Lieut. Purinton, and what was supposed at the time to be the rebel force guarding the train. The firing was about 100 rods in rear of the camp, and across a narrow swamp. I immediately ordered all my forces to the scene of the firing, leaving only sufficient to guard the camp and prisoners. On arriving upon the ground I found my men engaging a force of dismounted men, who were concealed behind trees, &c. I at once formed my men in line, dismounted them, threw out a line of skirmishers, who were advancing handsomely, when I became apprehensive that we were contending with some of our own men, from the determination displayed on their part, and the peculiar report of their fire-arms. I ordered my men at once to cease firing, and rode over towards our opponents, and hallooed to them, asking who they were, and received the reply " First Wisconsin !" This mistake was not discovered until it cost the lives of two men killed and a Lieutenant severely wounded in the 4th Michigan, and three men severely, and several slightly wounded in the 1st Wisconsin.
This lamentable accident arose principally from the refusal of the Ser- geant in charge of the advance guard of the Ist Wisconsin, to give a proper response to the challenge of Lieut. Porinton, and partially from the over zeal of both parties, each supposing they had met the enemy, and it was yet so dark in the woods that it was impossible to distinguish the uniforms of the men.
As soon as the firing had ceased, I returned to camp and took an inven- tory of our capture, when I ascertained that we had captured Jeff. Davis, his wife and four children, John II. Reagan, his Postmaster General, Colonels Johnson and Lubbock, A. D. C's to Davis, Burton N. Harrison, his private Secretary, Major Maurand, Captain Moody, Lieut. Hathaway, Jeff. D. Howell, Midshipman in the rebel navy, and 13 private soldiers, besides Miss Maggie Howell, sister of Mrs. Davis, two waiting maids, (one white and one colored, ) and several servants. We also captured five ne groes, three ambulances, about 15 horses, and from 25 to 30 mules. The train was mostly loaded with commissary stores and private baggage o the party. Upon returning to camp I was accosted by Davis from among the prisoners, who asked if I was the officer in command; upon assuring him that I was, and asking whom I was to call him, he replied that might call him " what or whoever I pleased," when I replied that I would call him Davis, and after a moment's hesitation, he said that was hi name. He suddenly drew himself up in true royal dignity, and exclaimed "I suppose that you consider it bravery to charge a train of defenceless women and children, but it is theft; It is vandalism."
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ADJUTANT GENERAL.
After allowing the prisoners time to prepare breakfast, I mounted them on their own horses, taking one of the ambulances for my wounded, and one of the wagons for the dead, using the other two ambulances for the conveyance of the women and children, and started on my return by the direct route to Abbyville, where I arrived at sunset of the same day. Here I halted for the night and called in the rest of my regiment from its duty along the river, and resumed my march toward Macon at an early hour on the morning of the 11th inst., after having buried our dead and performed the last solemn rites of the soldier over his fallen comrades, sending couriers in advance to announce the success of the expedition.
On the afternoon of the 11th, and when several miles below Hawkins- ville, we met the rest of our brigade just coming out from Macon, and re- ceived from them the first knowledge of the President's Proclamation, accompanied by Gen'l. Wilson's order, offering a reward for the capture of Davis, &c.
Retaining my independent command, I continued my march to Macon, where I arrived at 3 o'clock P. M. on the 13th inst. While yet on the march and 9 miles out of town, I received orders, by courier, to provide myself with a special detail of three officers and twenty men from my regiment, and prepare to depart at once for Washington, as special escort for Davis and party; also to take 150 men to act as train guard as far as Atlanta.
I left Macon by special train at 7 o'clock on the evening of the 13th, under the direction of Maj. Gen. Wilson, having turned over all the private soldiers, captured with Davis and party, except two, and receiving an accession of Clement C. Clay and wife.
Arriving at Atlanta at daylight on the morning of the 14th, I found a train and guard in readiness to convey and escort the party to Augusta,. where we arrived at sunset of the same day, finding carriages and every -- thing in readiness to convey us to the steamer Standish, lying four miles below the city. We arrived on board at 8 o'clock, when I received Alex'r H. Stephens and Major Gen'l Wheeler and staff, and immediately salled for Savannah, where we arrived at 1 o'clock A. M. on the 16th.
Reported to General Burge, and at 4 o'clock A. M. the steamer Emile was ordered alongside, and the prisoners and guard were transferred on board, when she immediately steamed for Hilton Head. When opposite Fort Jackson we met steamer Coit, with Gen'l Gilmore on board, to whom I reported, ard when we reached Savannah he telegraphed to Hilton Head for the steamer Clyde to be got in readiness at once to receive the prison- ers and convey them to Washington. Upon our arrival we found all things in readiness, and the transfer from the Emile to the Clyde took place im- mediately, and at 3 o'clock P. M. of the 16th we put to sea, under convoy of the steam sloop-of-war Tuscorora. Arrived off Fortress Monroe at noon of the 19th inst., I immediately proceeded to shore and telegraphed my
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arrival to the Adjutant General, and received orders in reply to anchor out and await further orders. At midnight of the same day I received further orders from yourself, saying that Gen'l Halleck would be there at noon of the 20th to arrange for the final disposition of the prisoners. We remained on board ship until the 22d inst., disposing meanwhile of all the prisoners except Davis, Clay, and families, in obedience to orders from Gen'l Halleck, and as per receipts in my possession. On the afternoon of that day the prisoners, Davis and Clay, were transferred, under orders from the same source, to the casements of Fortress Monroe, and turned over to Brevet Major Gen'l Miles, the 4th Michigan Cavalry acting as special escort, after which it was temporarily assigned quarters within the fort.
On the afternoon of the 23d I received orders from the War Department, through General Miles, directing me to procure the disguise worn by Davis at the time of his capture, and proceed to Washington and report to the Secretary of War. Accordingly I went over to the steamer Clyde, and re- ceived from Mrs. Davis, a lady's waterproof cloak, or robe, and which Mrs. Davis said was worn by Davis as a disguise at the time of his capture, and which was identified by the men who saw it on him at the time. On the morning following, the balance of the disguise was procured, which con- sisted of a shawl which was identified, and admitted to be the one, by Mrs. Davis. These articles I brought to Washington and turned them over to the Secretary of War.
This closes my account of the capture and custody, up to the time of his being turned over to the United States authorities, of the great conspir- ator and traitor, Jefferson Davis. But I would not close this report with- out recording my evidence of the high merits due to every officer and soldier in the command for their earnest zeal and untiring preseverance through many sleepless nights and long weary marches, going entirely without food for forty-eight consecutive hours; and it is with great conso- lation that I am able to state, that whatever efforts were put forth, either by individuals or by the command, for the capture of Davis, they were not called forth by the glitter of gold, or incited by prospective rewards, but were actuated solely by patriotism, and the highest sense of the soldiers' duty, for no knowledge of the President's proclamation, or General Wil- son's order, offering rewards for the capture of Davis, was received until two days after the capture.
It is indeed hard to individualize, where all have done their whole duty, but still I would make special mention of those assigned to important duties, and who performed those duties well, among whom are Captain Hathaway, commanding that part of the Regiment picketing the river; Captain Charles T. Hudson, in command of advance guard of fourteen picked men, and who led the column into the camp; Lieutenants Silas J. Stauber and Henry S. Boutell, who were commanding fifty men each in detachments, the latter of whom was severely wounded whilst gallantly
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ADJUTANT GENERAL.
leading his men; Lieut. A. B. Purinton, who had charge of dismounted men, making the circuit of the enemy's camp; Lieutenants Dickinson and Davis, for general duties as aids, and Bennett, commanding rear guard. All of the above officers are entitled to the highest praise, and in my judgment deserve promotion. "
I would also mention the names of Corporals Munger, of Co. "C;" Crit- tenden, of Co. "E;" together with privates James Bullard, Co. "C;" Adrian Bee and Daniel Edwards, Co. "L," who were present at the halt- ing of Davis, besides several others whose names I did not obtain before leaving the Regiment.
In conclusion, at the request of the Adjutant General, that I should state in my report, to whom, in my judgment, the reward offered by the Govern- ment ought to be given, I would say that in view of all the facts, I am convinced that to no one individual does it justly belong, for whilst one man might have been fortunate enough to have said " halt " to Davis, first, it was while he was yet within the regular line of sentries thrown around the camp, and while some man was doing this, (of which there are several claimants, ) others were performing equally important duties in guarding, fighting, &c., and I feel that in no case should the reward be granted to a Iess number than the 128 men and 8 officers, who were actually present at the time of Davis' capture, and I am inclined to the opinion that it should be distributed to the 419 men and 20 officers comprising the expedition; and when I say this, I believe I utter the wishes of a majority of the officers and men.
For the guidance of the Department, I recapitulate to the following extent, viz:
SPECIAL DETAIL, PRESENT AT CAPTURE.
1 Lieutenant-Colonel,
1 Captain,
4 First Lieutenants,
2 Second Lieutenants,
128 Enlisted men.
PICKETING RIVER, SCOUTING COUNTRY, &C.
1 Captain,
G First Lieutenants,
5 Second Lieutenants,
291 Enlisted men.
Total Commissioned, 20. Enlisted, 419.
With these remarks, the whole is respectfully submitted, and I have the honor to subscribe myself,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed)
B. D. PRITCHARD, Lieut. Colonel Fourth Mich. Cavalry.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY, Nashville, Tenn., July 2, 1865.
GENERAL-In compliance with your request that I should make a state- ment of the circumstances and incidents attending the late capture of Jeff. Davis and party, I have the honor to submit the following:
At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 7th of May, I left Macon, Ga., with my Regiment, (the Fourth Michigan Cavalry,) with verbal orders from yourself, (as you will recollect, ) to proceed down the south bank of the Ocmulgee river, from 75 to 100 miles; to take possession of all the ferries be- low Hawkinsville, and scout the country on both sides of the river, as far as the strength of my command would permit, for the purpose of capturing Jeff. Davis, who was said to be making his way across the country from Washington, Ga., with a small force and train, or to capture any other Government parties who might be fleeing from Richmond in that direction.
It was thought at the time that a point known as Adams, on the map, (but which has no existence only on paper, ) would be a good place for the Headquarters of one Batt alian, and Spaulding, a place still further down the river, a good locality for the Headquarters of the Regiment, but points were to be disregarded, it in my discretion, upon arriving on the ground, the operations of the command could be rendered more effective by such a course, and was accordingly authorized, in case of pursuit, to leave the designated territory entirely.
After a march of 75 miles, during which nothing of special interest oc- curred, the command reached Abbyville about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, May 9th, and where I discovered the first traces of the parties for whom we were seeking. €
At this place I met Lieut. Col. Hamden, of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry who informed me, as also did the inhabitants, that a train of several wagons and two ambulances had crossed the Ocmulgee river at Brown's ferry, 1} miles above Abbyville, at 12 o'clock on the previous night, and had halted at Abbyville long enough to feed their animals, and gone on in the direction of Irwinsville. Col. Hamden also said that he had been following on the track of this train for some distance on the north side of the river, and was convinced that it belonged to some of the Richmond parties, and thought. Mrs. Davis was with it, but did not think that Davis himself was with it, as he had been reported traveling by himself with a small escort. Col. H. reported that he had a force of from 70 to 75 men of his regiment (1st Wisconsin) with him, and that they were from 13 to 2 hours in advance, on the Irwinsville road. I asked Col. H. if he thought his force sufficient to cope with that supposed to be with the train; if not I would give him a detail from my regiment. He said that he considered it ample. I then told him it was useless for me to travel on the same road with him, telling him what my orders were, and that I would continue to move down the river, and act as circumstances miglit dictate. Co !. H.
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said that he should press forward to Irwinsville before he encamped, if the train went to that place, saying that the train was in the habit of driving off the road when going into camp-sometimes several miles distant.
After this conversation, Col. H. and myself parted, he going to his command, and I moving on down the river road, after sending one. Com- pany of my Regiment, under Lieut. Fish, to take possession of Brown's Ferry.
There were no plans of action agreed upon between Col. H. and myself, as both of us knew nothing about the roads.
I continued to move on down the river for a distance of about three miles, when I found a negro guarding his master's wagon, whichthad broken down in the road, who gave me an account of the passage of the Davis party over Brown's Ferry, stating that at the time of the crossing they would allow no lights to be made, not even to allow the ferryman to make change, say- ing they would pay him amply for his services, and Idid pay him a ten dollar gold piece and a ten dollar Confederate note; also relating other suspicious incidents, which convinced me that either Davis, or some other very important personage, was with the train. I also learned of this same negro, and a lady living close by, that there were two roads by which Irwinsville might be reached from Abbyville-one the direct, which Col. Hamden had taken, and the other leading off from the river road,'in a south-westerly direction, at a point 15 miles below Abbyville, known as Wilcox's Mills.
Feeling that no effort on my part should be spared which could aid or insure the capture of what I was now convinced were important; parties from the rebel Government, I accordingly decided to pursue the party at once by way of the river road, believing that if they were' hard pressed at any time by Col. H., they would abandon the direct road and drive on to any other which might give hopes of escape, and in that case would be liable to drive over on the road by which my command would approach Irwinsville; and if Col. H. pressed forward to Irwinsville, as he said he should, they would fall in between the two commands.
I had no thoughts at that time of being able to reach Irwinsville in ad- vance of Col. Hamden, as the distance I should have to march would be from 8 to 10 miles greater than that traveled by him, and his command was then two hours on its way.
I at once ordered a detail of 150 men of the best mounted in the Regi- ment, but which, on account of jaded horses, was cut down to 128 men and 7 officers, (besides myself;) but I since learn that several men joined the detail irregularly, afterwards, unknown to me, which were not included in the count. With this force I moved at 4 o'clock P. M., leaving the rest of the Regiment under Capt. Hathaway, with directions to picket the river, &c. The command reached Wilcox's Mills at sunset, where I halted one
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
hour, fed, unsaddled, and had the horses groomed. From thence we pro- ceeded by a blind woods road, through an almost unbroken pine forest, for a distance of 18 miles, but found no traces of the train or party before reaching Irwinsville, where we arrived about one o'clock on the morning of the 10th of May, and were surprised to find no traces of either Col. Ham- den, or the rebels. The roads were first closely examined, in all direc- tions, but no traces of the passage of a train, or mounted force could be discovered; after which I resorted to inquiry, passing to the opposite side of the town from which we arrived, so that the presence of my command might not be known, and representing ourselves as Confederates, it was readily learned from the inhabitants, that a party had encamped at sunset, the night previous, from one to one and a half miles out on the Abby- ville road, and that some of the men had come into town during the even - ing. At first I thought it must be the First Wisconsin, but upon further inquiry, learned that the party had tents and wagons, which I knew was not the case with the First Wisconsin. But thinking that there might still be some mistake, regarding the character of the party, I gave my of- ficers strict orders with reference to learning the character of all parties, before firing upon them; after which I moved the command out to within a half mile of the encampment, impressing a negro for a guide, where I halted the command, under cover of a small eminence, and dismounted 25 men and sent them under command of Lieut. Purinton, to make a circuit of the camp, and gain a position in the rear, for the purpose of cutting off all possibility of escape in that direction, with orders to make the circuit of the camp, undiscovered, if possible, but if discovered, and an alarm was raised, to operate upon the camp from any point he might then occupy. My orders were also very special, and strict, with regard to ascertaining defi- nitely the character of men whom he might meet, before firing upon them, and which orders I feel confident he made his best endeavors to carry out, for he not only made the circuit of the camp as directed, but sent one of his men close to the enemy's camp, for the purpose of espying their exact locality and character.
I had directed Lieut. Purinton, after gaining the position indicated, to remain perfectly quiet until I should commence the attack from the front, as I had not then determined whether I would charge the camp at once or wait till daylight, but finally decided upon the latter course, as the moon was getting low and it would be easy for persons to escape in the dark- ness. It was about 2 o'clock in the morning when all dispositions for the attack were completed.
After waiting, I should say fully an hour and a half, and until the ap- pearance of earliest dawn, I put the column in motion and the advance was enabled to arrive within four or five rods of the tents before discovery, when a dash was made, and in an instant the rebel camp was in our pos- session without firing a shot. We had held possession of the camp but a
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few minutes, I should say from five to ten, when sharp firing commenced down the Abbyville road, in the direction of my dismounted force. Sup- posing that Lieut. Purinton, in advancing upon the camp from that direc- tion, had fallen upon the enemy's guard posted in that direction, I imme- diately ordered forward all my forces, except sufficient to guard the train and prisoners. The firing was across a narrow swamp, and from 80 to 100 rods from the camp.
When I arrived on the ground I found my men engaging a dismounted force concealed behind trees. I at once formed my men in line and dis- mounted them, throwing forward a line of skirmishers. The firing was now becoming very sharp on both sides; but from the report of the fire- arms, and the persistence on their part, I became suspicious of the char- acter of our adversaries, as did some of my men, and which called forth remarks to that effect. I immediately ordered my men to cease firing, and rode forward towards our opponents and hallooed to them, asking who they were, and received the reply, "Ist Wisconsin." I also learn that about this time Serg't Wright, of Co. " A," who was with Lieut. Purinton on the left, discovered that we were fighting our own men, and ran over to their lines in order to stop the firing. But this most lamentable accident was not discovered until it had cost the lives of two good men, and the wounding of Lieut. Boutell, of the 4th Michigan, and the wounding of several men in the 1st Wisconsin.
This sad mistake, which has cast such a mournful shadow on the other- wise bright and glorious success of the expedition, arose principally from the failure of the Sergeant in command of the advance guard of the 1st Wisconsin to give a proper response to the challenge of Lieut. l'urinton.
As soon as I found we were in advance of the train, and that Col. Hamden had not reached Irwinsville as expected, I at once took every pre- caution necessary, as I supposed, to avoid the possibility of a collision, and instructed my officers thoroughly on that point; and I feel that I could have done nothing further, unless I had, after reaching Irwinsville, withdrawn my command, or waited for Col. H. to move, and whom I had good reason to believe might have taken some other road, as he had as- sured me at Abbyville that he should go through to Irwinsville that night, but which course would undoubtedly ensured the escape of Davis and the principal parties with the train; for Col. Hamden told me, after the cap- ture, that he dik not think he would have captured Davis in the manner his column was moving, as his advance would have given the alarm in time for Davis to escape, and perhaps it would have been better that it should have been so. But I would not censure any one, for I believe that each done what he believed to be right at the time and under the circum- stances.
I understand that the Sergeant in charge of the advance of the First Wisconsin, bad orders to fire upon any force he met, and during the time
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
of the fighting it was so dark that the uniforms of the men could not be distinguished.
After allowing the prisoners time to prepare a hasty breakfast, I placed the wounded in one of the ambulances, and the dead in one of the wagons, and started on our return, arriving at Abbyville on the evening of the same day, where we buried our dead, and performed the last sad rites of the soldier over his fallen comrades.
Resuming our march on the morning of the 11th, we reached Macon on the afternoon of the 13th of May.
I am, General, Respectfully your ob't servant, B. D. PRITCHARD, Lieut. Colonel Fourth Mich. Cavalry.
(Signed)
To GEN. R. H. G. MINTY,
Comdg. 2d Div. Cavalry Corps, M. D. M.
STATE OF TENNESSEE, Į SS.
COUNTY OF DAVIDSON, . On this 5th day of July, 1865, personally appeared before me, Henry S. Boutell, First Lieutenant Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and being duly sworn, deposes and says: That on the morning. of the 10th day of May, 1865, I was in command of a portion of the detach- ment of the 4th Mich. Cavalry, commanded by Lieut. Col. B. D. Pritchard, which captured Jeff. Davis and party, near Irwinsville, Ga. ; that I took part in the unfortunate engagement that took place between the detach- ments of the 4th Michigan and Ist Wisconsin Cavalry, on said morning ;. that I led the advance of the main column of the 4th Michigan Cavalry, which was ordered up from the rebel camp, when the firing commenced. between the dismounted force under Lieut. Purinton, 4th Michigan, and the 1st Wisconsin; that while moving directly up the road, and before reaching the scene of action, as I supposed, I was met by a heavy volley from an unseen force, concealed behind trees, &c., from which I received a severe wound, and had one man, (private Rupert, ) of Co. " C," killed. I. then halted and commenced forming my men in line, when I saw Col. Pritch- ard coming up, and as I was growing weak from loss of blood, I informed him that I was wounded, and rode to the rear; that I have seen the report of Lieut. Col. Hamden, commanding the 1st Wisconsin, as printed in the news- papers, in which he states that he forced back the 4th Michigan Cavalry, &c., and that while the fight was going on between his command and Colonel Pritchard's, a portion of his (Col. Pritchard's) command captured the train, Jeff. Davis and family, both of which statements are incorrect, for my forces were neither charged or driven, and as regards the capture of Jeff. Davis, camp, &c., it had been in our possession from five to ten minutes. before a shot was fired by either party ..
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