Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Jefferson Davis at the Lanier House

Photographed by David Seibert, November 8, 2009

1. Jefferson Davis at the Lanier House Marker

Inscription. On May 4, 1865, Jefferson Davis arrived in Washington, Georgia (100 miles NE), where he performed what proved to be his last duties as President of the Confederate States of America. Shortly thereafter, with a small staff and escort, he departed enroute to the trans-Mississippi Department where, supported by those Confederate forces not yet surrendered, he hoped to negotiate a just peace.

After a difficult journey via Sandersville, Dublin and Abbeville, he camped a mile north of Irwinville (106 miles S) in the present Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park, unaware that, in Dublin, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry [US] had found his trail and begun a pursuit.

At dawn on May 10th, his camp was surrounded by men of the 1st Wisconsin and 4th Michigan cavalry regiments [US]. Mr. Davis and his party were seized and brought to the Lanier House, headquarters of Brevet Major General James H. Wilson, USA, commanding the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi [US], which had occupied Macon on April 20th after a destructive raid through central Alabama and western Georgia.

On May 13, the revered leader of the Lost Cause was removed to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, via Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah, where, until May 13, 1867, he was held as a “state prisoner,” his hopes for a new nation -- in which each

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state would exercise without interference its cherished “Constitutional rights” -- forever dead.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 011-16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1959.

Location. 32° 50.25′ N, 83° 37.633′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. It is on Mulberry Street 0 miles east of 2nd Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Macon GA 31201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lanier House (a few steps from this marker); Wilson's Raid To Macon (a few steps from this marker); Emerson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Peyton Anderson (within shouting distance of this marker); Sidney Lanier's Law Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sidney Lanier (about 300 feet away); William M. Wadley (about 300 feet away); Hardeman Building (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.

Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, November 8, 2008

2. Jefferson Davis at the Lanier House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,215 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on August 8, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.