Impressive deep navy blue Union cape identified to Benjamin D. Pritchard, who is remembered as one of the four men who captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The high-quality cape is constructed of a dark blue wool broadcloth exterior with gray fabric lining, and gray piping along the edges. The closure is a single black toggle button at the neck, and the collar has decorative buttonhole-style slits. In fine condition, with minor fraying and losses to the lining; overall this is an extremely well-preserved piece. Accompanied by a letter of provenance stating that this was purchased from Pritchard's estate in 2005. Also includes a packet of reference materials on Pritchard and his regiment.
On May 10, 1865, the fugitive Jefferson Davis was captured by the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Lt. Col. Benjamin D. Pritchard. In an episode that soon took hold amongst the nation's political cartoonists, the Confederate president was found attempting to flee in a woman's cloak. As his reward for making the capture, Colonel Pritchard was brevetted out of service as a brigadier general and received a $3000 share of the bounty which President Andrew Johnson had offered for Davis's apprehension. A fantastic piece of Civil War history.
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