The Annals of the Civil War Written by Leading Participants North and South
Alexander Kelly McClure, Ed.

Shortly after the recognition of Davis by his captors, Colonels Pritchard and Harnden rode up to where the group were standing. Davis, recognizing them as officers, asked which of them was in command. As these officers were lieutenant colonels of different regiments, belonging to different brigades of different divisions, and had, therefore, probably never before met, except casually, much less compared dates of commissions, they were somewhat taken aback at the question, and hesitated what answer to make. Whereupon Davis upbraided them with ignorance, reproached them with unchivalrous conduct in hunting down women and children, and finally declared, with the air and manners of a bravo, that they could not have caught him but for his desire to protect “his women and children.” “How would you have prevented it, Mr. Davis?” said Colonel Pritchard. “Why, sir, I could have fought you, or eluded you.” “As for fighting us,” replied the Colonel, “we came prepared for that; it would have saved us some trouble, and, doubtless, you a good deal; but as for ‘ eluding us,’ I don't think your garb is very well adapted to rapid locomotion.” In addition to Davis and his family, Colonel Pritchard's detachment captured, at the same time, John H. Reagan, rebel Postmaster General, Colonel B. N. Harrison, private secretary, Colonels Lubbock, and Johnston, aides-de-camp to Davis, four inferior officers and thirteen private soldiers, besides Miss Howell, two waiting-maids, and several colored servants.

This brings us again to the question of Davis' disguise at the time of his capture, touching which I submit the following letter, written by J. G. Dickinson, late Adjutant Fourth Michigan Cavalry, to the Detroit Tribune:

I have read John H. Reagan's letter to Governor Porter, in the publication you exhibited to me. It contains severe criticisms upon published statements of General James H. Wilson, concerning the flight, capture, and disguise of Jefferson Davis. I remember Mr. Reagan, who was captured with Davis. I had the honor of being with General Pritchard, as Adjutant of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, at the capture, and personally took part in the arrest of Davis, while he was attempting to escape, disguised in female attire. There has never been any doubt or denial from any authentic source, expressed or asserted, to my knowledge, respecting the disguise and attempted escape of Mr. Davis, until Mr. Reagan's letter appeared; and Mr. Reagan does not speak, regarding the disguise, upon his own knowledge. The facts were well known, and often repeated, in our camp, to interested inquirers, by those having personal knowledge of them.

The first report of the capture was made to Major Robert Burns, Assistant Adjutant General of General R. H. G. Minty's staff. I drew the report, immediately after our return to Macon, for Captain John C. Hathaway, commanding the regiment while Colonel Pritchard was absent in charge of the prisoners on the way