Abbeville in Wilcox County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Jefferson Davis Camp Site
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 4, 2015
1. Jefferson Davis Camp Site Marker
Erected June 3, 1925 by Abbeville Daughters of the Confederacy to dedicate the spot where Jefferson Davis our great Confederate leader camped May the 9th 1865 the night before his capture. Love makes memory eternal. "Lest we forget."
Erected 1925 by Abbeville Daughters of the Confederacy.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 1865.
Location. 31° 59.547′ N, 83° 18.406′ W. Marker is in Abbeville, Georgia, in Wilcox County. Memorial is at the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 280) and North Broad Street (U.S. 129), on the right when traveling west on East Main Street. Marker is located near the sidewalk at the southwest corner of the Wilcox County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 North Broad Street, Abbeville GA 31001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. De Soto Trail (here, next to this marker); Jefferson Davis (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Jefferson Davis (a few steps from this marker); Wilcox County (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilcox County Confederate Monument
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Confederate President Jefferson Davis captured by Union forces. Davis was devastated by the fall of the Confederacy. Refusing to admit defeat, he hoped to flee to a sympathetic foreign nation such as Britain or France, and was weighing the merits of forming a government in exile when he was arrested by a detachment of the 4th Michigan Cavalry. (Submitted on January 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Capture of Jefferson Davis. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
On the evening of May 9, the remaining hopefuls, still assuming that they were a step ahead of their pursuers, set up camp near a creek bed. Early the next morning the camp was awakened by a pop of gunfire and within minutes was surrounded by members of the First Wisconsin and Fourth Michigan cavalries. Not one shot was fired by the Confederates. A member of the Michigan detail quickly apprehended Davis, and he was transported to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where he remained a prisoner for more than two years. (Submitted on January 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 4, 2015
2. Jefferson Davis Camp Site Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 4, 2015
3. Wilcox County Courthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
