Replies

I do.

I don't. The Union officer present at capture doesn't. The official accounts of the capture do not state that Davis attempted escape wearing womens clothing.

I don't. The Union officer present at capture doesn't. The official accounts of the capture do not state that Davis attempted escape wearing womens clothing.

I do. The soldier involved in apprehending Davis did. Mrs. Davis did. And numerous accounts of the incident do, as I listed in reply 1022.

The official accounts of the capture do not state that Davis attempted escape wearing womens clothing.

The firsthand report of the commanding officer the day after the capture, notice no mention of any disguise is mentioned - certainly such an incident would be worthy of mention:

Copy of he original letter written with a pencil by Col. Pritchard, announcing the capture of Jefferson Davis:

Headquarters 4^th Michigan Cavalry,
Abbeville, GA., May 11^th, 1865

Capt. Scott, A. A. A. G., 2d Division, C. C. M. D. M.
Sir:-I have the honor to report that at daylight yesterday in Irwinville, I surprised and captured Jeff Davis and family, together with his wife's sister and brother, his Postmaster-General (Ragan) his private Secretary (Colonel Harrison,) Col. Johnson, A. D. C. on Jeff's staff, Col. Morris, Col. Lubbock, Lieut. Hathaway, also several unimportant names, and a train of five wagons and three ambulances, making a most perfect success, had not a most painful mistake occurred by which the 4^th Michigan and 1^st Wisconsin collided which cost us two men killed and Lieut. Bourtelle wounded through the arm, in the 4^th Michigan, and three men wounded in the 1^st Wisconsin. This occurred just at daylight after we had captured the camp, by the advance of the 1^st Wisconsin, not properly answering our challenge, by which we were mistaken for the enemy. I returned to this point last night and shall move right on to Macon without awaiting orders from you as directed feeling that the whole objects of the expedition are accomplished. It will take at least three days to reach Macon as we are 75 miles out and our stock is much wearied. I hope to reach Hawkinsville to-night.

I have the honor, sir, to be, very respectfully, your ob'dt servt,
D.B. Pritchard, Lieut. Col. 4^th Michigan

Charles Lanman, The Red Book of Michigan; A Civil, Military and Biographical History, Detroit: E. B. Smith & Co., 1871, pp. 285-286