Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis (HMQTB)

Location: Abbeville, GA 31001 Wilcox County
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Country: United States of America
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N 31° 59.55', W 83° 18.417'

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Inscription
Late on May 8, 1865, Jefferson Davis, with his family and a small escort, camped in Abbeville, unaware that hostile pursuit was close behind. His pursuers, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry [US], Lt. Col. Henry Harnden, arrived next morning, shortly after his departure. Stopping only to feed and water, Harnden's men were moving out in pursuit when the 4th Michigan Cavalry [US], Lt. Col. B. D. Pritchard, arrived. Harnden confided to Pritchard both Mr. Davis' proximity and probable route; then, after declining an offer of help, he rode on to overtake his command.

Pritchard, bound down-river to intercept other Confederate officials, rode on some 12 miles: then, abandoning his own mission, he made a forced march and, after finding the Davis camp late that night by posing as the escort, he surrounded it quietly and waited for dawn.

Harnden had camped a few miles away. Unaware of Pritchard's presence, he moved up just before dawn to surround the camp. His advance was fired upon and, in the fight that followed, two Michigan soldiers were killed before a prisoner taken by Harnden's men revealed the Identity of the "enemy."

During this unfortunate collision, Pritchard closed in and captured Mr. Davis and his party, thereafter claiming for the 4th Michigan the fruits of the 1st Wisconsin's labors.
Details
HM NumberHMQTB
Series This marker is part of the Georgia: Georgia Historical Society/Commission series
Tags
Marker Number156-3
Year Placed1957
Placed ByGeorgia Historical Commission
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, September 21st, 2014 at 3:52am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)17R E 282052 N 3541929
Decimal Degrees31.99250000, -83.30695000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 31° 59.55', W 83° 18.417'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds31° 59' 33.00" N, 83° 18' 25.02" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)229
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 11677-11699 N Broad St, Abbeville GA 31001, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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