Beschreibung:

DAVIS, Jefferson, CAPTURE, 1865]. TOWNSEND, Edward Davis (c.1817-1893), Major General, Adjutant General, Union Army . Autograph manuscript compilation of Union accounts of the capture of Jefferson Davis, 10 May 1865. [Washington], 1871. 18pp., 12mo, closely written in a small neat hand, on lined pages from a small pocket diary, each leaf with printed heading and border, gilt edges . DAVIS WORE "'A LADY'S WATERPROOF (CLOAK), GATHERED AT THE WAIST, WITH A SHAWL DRAWN OVER THE HEAD,'". Townsend, Acting Adjutant General of the Union Army from March 1862 to the end of the war, gives a detailed account of this controversial incident drawn from the testimony of multiple witnesses: He cites reports by cavalry officer J.H. Wilson, and Col. Pritchard of the 4th Michigan Cavalry. Townsend records that when Davis's encampment was surrounded by Union cavalry, early in the morning of 10 May, Lt. J.G. Dickinson had witnessed "'persons dressed in female attire,'" leaving one of the tents and making for the thick woods. "The corporal recognized one of the persons as Davis...and demanded his surrender...The individuals thus arrested were found to be Miss Howell, Mrs. [Varina] Davis & Jefferson Davis...." But, "as the friends of Davis have strenuously denied that he was disguised as a woman," Townsend specifies "the exact articles of woman's apparel which he had upon him when first seen by Lieut. Dickinson and Corporal Munger: a "'black mantle wrapped about his head, through the top of which could be seen locks of his hair.'" Captain Lawton said that Davis "had on 'a lady's waterproof (cloak), gathered at the waist, with a shawl drawn over the head, and [was] carrying a tin pail.'" Col. Pritchard took possession of the garments worn by Davis, and Townsend was present "when Col. Pritchard delivered these articles to Mr. Stanton and the Secretary put them in my charge. I procured a tin box to put them in and have kept them ever since...." Townsend appends a detailed description of the controversial garments. Pritchard, he adds, said that "Davis had a pail on his arm, and when the sentry stopped him, Mrs. Davis expostulated saying, 'Won't you let my mother go to get a pail of water?'" Provenance : Thomas Moebs, 1984.