Those who played important roles in the southern government had to answer to the federal government for treason. Some successfully escaped to other countries to avoid jail and hardships. One very important person tried to make it to Florida to escape on ship to another country. That man was the confederate's only president, Jefferson Davis.
| Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate States of America. |
Jefferson Davis was elected as the Confederate States of America's president in 1861. On May 5, 1865, the southern government officially dissolved after a cabinet meeting in Georgia. There was talk about regrouping another army and to retake the south again in the near future. He had to go into hiding first and make his way further south knowing that the Union army was in search of him. May 7th he reunited with his second and much younger wife, Varina accompanied with their 4 children: Margaret (approx. 10), Jefferson jr. (approx. 8), William (approx. 4), and Varina Anne (approx. 1). Sadly they had 2 children that died. A son died before the war between the states started and another son died a year before the war ended. They fled to the back roads trying to dodge the Union Army. There was a reward for $100,000 for the capture of Jefferson Davis. It was assumed, at the time, that he also played a part in the death of Lincoln as well. Near a creek in Irwin County, on the eve of May 9th, the Davis family decided to set up camp for the night.
Around 3:30am on May 10th there was a commotion outside the tents along with a few gun shots. Jefferson thought it was the confederate people trying to rob them of some of their possessions they had with them. Jefferson opened the tent flaps and seen Union blue coats walking about. He knew he had to try to make a break for it. His wife, Varnia, had him put on her waterproof raincoat to help protect him from the cold as he tried to escape. She also tosses her shaw over his head as well to keep him warm. Corp. George Munger, a soldier from the Michigan's 4th Calvary, seen 2 people in the dark making their way from the camp. He rode over to them. He noticed the women's attire but one of them wearing men's boots. He asked them to remove their shaws so the soldier can see their faces. There standing before the soldier was none other than Jefferson Davis and his wife. Jefferson Davis was promptly arrested and spent 2 years in Federal Prison. He wasn't tried for treason but was released on $100,000 bond that was paid for by southern supports.
Jokes went around about finding "Davis in drag." Newspapers poked fun about how Jefferson Davis was found by putting up cartoons of Davis in a hoop skirt. Most believe he dressed in his wife's attire to escape as a woman. Other articles defend his honor by saying it was cold that night and his wife insisted he stayed warm by wearing her clothes which were readily available. That is one part of American history where the reader has to decided for themselves on exactly why Jefferson Davis was wearing the woman's overcoat and shaw.
| Gen. Pritchard |
Michigan's 4th Cavalry Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin D. Pritchard from Allegan, Michigan headed up that charge to find Jefferson Davis. Pritchard was in Abbeyville, Ga. at the time when word got around on Jefferson Davis whereabouts. Davis was only 30 miles south of where the Michigan's 4th Cavalry was at. On their way south local people would help point them to the right direction which lead them to Davis' camp. Pritchard transported Davis to Fort Monroe, Va. where Davis served his prison term. After the capture Pritchard was promoted to Brigadier General.
| The location of Allegan, Allegan County, Mi. |
Before the war Pritchard came to Allegan in 1856 where he studied law and was a teacher at the Allegan Public Schools. He ended up having a law office and became an important man in the community. In 1862 he felt a calling to serve his country by enlisting in the Union Army. He came back a hero in Michigan. He served as the director of the Allegan School Board and helped establish three new schools and organized the first high school. In 1870, Pritchard organized the National Bank of Allegan and served as its president until 1905. In 1864, while on a short leave from service, he met a lady from Ohio, Mary Bently Kent, and quickly married her. He bought her a house in Allegan and it still stands to this day. It is rumored that desendants of Pritchard still own the house. Benjamin D. Pritchard passed away November 26, 1907 at the age of 72. People wanted him to run for governor for Michigan in 1884 but he turned it down. However, Pritchard did accept an elected position of State Treasurer Of Michigan 1880 to 1884.
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| Home of Benjamin Pritchard in Allegan, Mi. 330 Davis st. Photo By: Liza Jennings |
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| Benjamin Pritchard final resting place at Oakwood Cemetery in Allegan, Mi. Photo by: Liza Jennings |
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