I am no admirer of Jefferson Davis. I am a Yankee, full of Yankee prejudices, but think it is wished to lie about him.
I was in the party that captured Jefferson Davis and saw the whole transaction from its beginning. I now say, and hope that you will publish it, that Jefferson Davis did not have on, at the time he was taken, any garments such as worn by women. He did have over his shoulders a water-proof article of clothing, something like a "Haverlocke". It was not in the least concealed. He wore a hat and did not carry a pail of water on his head, nor kettle in any way.
His wife did not tell any person that her husband might hurt somebody if he got exasperated. She behaved like a lady, and he so a gentleman, though manifestly he was chagrined at being taken into custody. I know what I am talking about. I saw Jefferson Davis many times while he was staying in Portland several years ago, and I think I was the first to recognize him at the time of his arrest.
I defy any person to find a single officer or soldier who was present at the capture of Jefferson Davis, who will say upon honor that he was disguised in women's clothes. I favor trying him for his crimes, and if he is found guilty, punish him. But I would not lie about him when the truth will certainly make it bad enough.
The Museum of the Confederacy also has on display the suit that Davis was captured in. It was a gentlemen's suit, not a dress, despite how the Harper's Weekly cartoon portrayed Davis' capture.
Wonder if it's too late for Harper's to publish a retraction and apology for having "lied like a rug" for 140 years?