Irwinville in Irwin County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Jefferson Davis
Late on May 8th, the night before his arrival at this site, Mr. Davis and his party had camped in Abbeville (26 miles NE), unaware that pursuit was close behind. Their pursuers, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry (US), Lt. Col. Henry Harnden, had learned in Dublin of their passage and, after many hours of trailing through swamps and over boggy roads, reached Abbeville shortly after Mr. Davis’ departure. Stopping only to feed and water, Harnden's men were resuming the pursuit when the 4th Michigan Cavalry (US) Lt. Col. B.D. Pritchard, arrived and learned Mr. Davis’ probable route.
Pritchard was bound down-river to intercept other Confederate officials. After Harnden had departed, he rode on some 12 miles; then, abandoning his own mission, he made a forced march and after finding the Davis camp later that night by posing in Irwinville 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 seized Mr. Davis and his party, thereafter claiming for the 4th Michigan the fruits of the 1st Wisconsin’s labors.
Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 077-6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1838.
Location. 31° 39.829′ N, 83° 23.216′ W. Marker is in Irwinville, Georgia, in Irwin County. Marker is on Jeff Davis Park Road. In the Jefferson Davis Memorial Park and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 338 Jeff Davis Park Road, Irwinville GA 31760, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Jefferson Davis (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Jefferson Davis (a few steps from this marker); Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Baptist Church Bell (approx. 7.9 miles away); Gen. Bush's Home (approx. 8.3 miles away); Fitzgerald Rotary Club (approx. 8½ miles away); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 - 1902 (approx. 8.6 miles away); Fitzgerald (approx. 8.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Irwinville.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Capture of Jefferson Davis. New Georgia Encyclopedia entry (Submitted on February 16, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Capture of Jefferson Davis by the Fourth Michigan. Military History of the Upper Great Lakes entry (Submitted on February 16, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,448 times since then and 7 times this year. Last updated on February 8, 2011, by Jamie Abel of Westerville, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on February 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on November 15, 2016, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on February 16, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.