Jefferson Davis Memorial State Historic Site

A video tour including a narration of the Jefferson Davis capture site in Irwinvile, GA.

The place where the civil war ended.

For four years, Jefferson Davis had led the Confederate States of America as its President. As the Civil War drew to a close, Davis, fled Richmond, Virginia with his cabinet in early April, 1865 and began a trek southward with federal troops in pursuit; while still weighing the merits of forming a government in exile.

Reaching the farming community of Irwinville, GA, on the evening of May 9th, 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. A member of the Michigan detail quickly apprehended Davis.

It was on that spring morning, with his arrest, the government of the Confederate States of America ceased to exist.

By the 24th of May, Davis would be indicted for treason against the United States government imprisoned at Fort Monroe in Virginia, until May 1867 when he was released on bail.

Today, a monument marks the spot where Davis was arrested. Visitors can tour the 13-acre historic site that includes a museum built by the WPA in 1939, a quarter mile nature trail, picnic tables and a group shelter. The site staff offers guided tours of the capture site along with special presentations by site volunteers and period re-enactors

Davis would spend his remaining years in Biloxi, Mississippi, Never asking for, nor was he granted, a pardon for his actions. However, in a speech at Mississippi City, Mississippi, he spoke: "The past is dead; let it bury its dead, its hopes and its aspirations. Before you lies the future, a future full of golden promise, a future of expanding national glory, before which all the world shall stand amazed.

There is no documentation to believe that Davis or any of his direct descendents ever returned to the site of capture in Irwinville, Georgia.

Videographers note: This is truly where the Civil War Ended. I've never found an article that documents the war, that doesn't include Irwinville, GA. The history is preserved today by the State of Georgia and countless numbers of people. A priceless piece of history is preserved only several miles from Interstate 75 in South-Central Georgia.

Special thanks to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

References.

Georgia Department of Natuaral Resources

New Georgia Encyclopedia

Mollus War Papers

Video by Wellsboro, PA railroad executive Brian P. Roslund

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Brian
• Roslund
• Jefferson
• Davis
• Capture
• Site
• Civil
• War
• Irwinville
• GA
• Georgia
• Historic
• Confederacy
• US
• Union
• Rebel

[metromover]

Thanks for the tour! I visited the site a couple of years ago and only have pics. This video is great! Thanks again!!

[roslundb]

Thanks, I'm glad u enjoyed it!

[cwhistorian1]

A wonderful documentation on the the place "where the civil war ended." Living in New Jersey I've never traveled to Irwinville and didn't realize what was there to see. When I retire next summer I'm looking forward to taking a trip to Andersonville, GA and Irwinville.

I'll be showing this video to my 8th grade history class this week, as I'm teaching a chapter on Jefferson Davis / Civil War.

Thanks again,

Brett

[roslundb]

Thanks for the comment. Irwinville is located very near Andersonville, as well a Fitzgerald, GA. A city that has a very unique history as Georgia's Colony city. Google Fitzgerald and you can find out its unique history.

[TheToonfan98]

@themaddogrules me too! :)

[GoogleToolbar]

Well done. Thank you. The SOUTH will RISE AGAIN!!!

[themaddogrules]

I'm related to jefferson davis!!!

[dingdongditch98]

@parafleet ok

[parafleet]

@dingdongditch98 I know. I been locked outta this for about a month. My sister got control of my account. Sorry about that. She is a hooker.

[dingdongditch98]

@parafleet wow... that has nothing to do with it

[parafleet]

April is Confederate History Month because Adolf Hitler was born April 20, 1889. Racists unite! The racial struggle is not over. Right?

Isn't that the point???

[stl6281z]

Deo Vindice

[Luigi84289]

MY President.

[parrotlegal]

Very well done video. Always wanted to stop there, but have always had to be somewhere and never had the time. Thanks for sharing this!