An Important Admission

For years the chivalrous sons of the late confederacy have hurled back with contempt the claim of the 4th Michigan cavalry boys that they caught the ex-chief while attempting to escape disguised in female apparel. Now, Jeff Davis has told bis version of the story, which can be found in his new book, and he admitsthat he had on his wife's "shawl and raglán," a waterproof light overskirt. Jefferson'j story of the capture is that when the Michigan trooperssurroundedthe camp - ia the inists ol early morning, liis wife : implored hun to leave her ut once, ïhis he was unwiüing to do, and lost a few preeiousmomentsbeforeyielding ; to her importuuity. Ilis horse,already saddled, with pistols in the holsters, was near the road down which the cavalry approached. But it was impracticable to reach the animal, and so he concluded to travel in another direction. It was quite dark in the tent, and he picked up what he supposed lo he his "raglán," but which proved to be his wife's so very near like his oaui as to be easily mistaken for it. At the same time his wife thoughtf ully threw over his head and shoulders a shaw). Arrayed in a lady's waterproof cloiik and a shawl, the head of the southern confederacy thought he could tarry nolonger; but had gone only 10 or 20 yards when a tropper galloped up and ordered him to halt. To this request Mr. Davis says lie gave a defiant answer, ana, shucking himself out of his female apparel, he advanced toward the trooper. In i New York Ledger story tlus would bo ii good place to write "to be continued," but in order tliat tho world may know just how galliintly the southern confederacy mei its dying fate, we let Mr. Davis concltide the narrative: "He (tlie trooper) leveled his carbine at me, but 1 expected if he lired he would miss me, and my intention was in that event to put ïny hand under his foot, and tumble him oiï on the other side, spring into his saddle, and attempt to escapa My wife, who had been watching, whe.fi she savv the soldier aini his carbine at me, run forward and threw her arins around me. Succees depended on instuntaneous tion, and reeognizing tliat the opportunity had been lost, 1 turnea back.and Vie morning being damp and chilly, passed on to the lire beyond the tent." It was probably fortúnate for Jefferson Davis tliat bis wife tlirew her arms about him at that opportune moment, for the chances of that union veteran missing his mark at the distiince of a rod or so were not one in one hunurea, md probably if he had fired the carbine,there would never liave been any "Hise and f all of the confedérate government" written. Mr. Davis seems to have shovvn great coolness and presence of mind in going to the flre and warming himself when he feit chilly, after throwing ofl' his wife's shawl and waterproof. This statement of Mr. Davis, stripped of its selfaggrandi.ement and southern docio, corresponda to the claims made by the Michigan cavalry that "Davis attempted to escape, disguised in his wife's traveling cloak, and a shawl thrown over his head. but Private Adrián Bee of company L and Corporal Munger of company C espied his military boots beneath his female attire," - and then "what a fall was there, my country men!"