Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site Jefferson Davis Capture Site
Monument in 2017
Location	Irwin County, Georgia
Nearest city	Fitzgerald, Georgia
Area	12.668 acres (5.127 ha)
Founded	July 26, 1920
Founder	James B. Clements
Visitors	2,873 (in 2015)
Governing body	Irwin County (Georgia) Board of Commissioners
Website	Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Official name: Jefferson Davis Capture Site
Designated	April 1, 1980
Reference no.	80001094
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The Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site is a special place in Irwin County, Georgia. It covers about 12.6 acres. This site marks the exact spot where Jefferson Davis, who was the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, was captured. This happened on Wednesday, May 10, 1865.

At the historic site, you'll find a granite monument. It has a bronze statue of Jefferson Davis right where he was captured. There's also a museum, built in 1939. This museum shows off items from the Civil War, like old weapons and uniforms. It also tells the story of President Davis's journey in 1865, from Richmond, Virginia to Irwin County, Georgia.

A Look Back: The Story of the Site

A marker at the site

Another marker at the site

The monument in 1936

Jefferson Davis was the leader of the Confederate States. After the main Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, was taken, Davis had to leave on April 2, 1865. He traveled south with some of his helpers and a small group of soldiers. They passed through several states, trying to find a safe place. Davis learned that the war was ending and that President Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated.

Davis and his group crossed into Georgia on May 3, 1865. They hoped to gather more Confederate soldiers in other parts of the country to continue the war. Davis arrived in Washington that same day. There, he officially ended the Confederate government. By May 6, Davis reached Sandersville. On May 7, he met up with his wife, Varina, and their children.

The Capture of Jefferson Davis

Union soldiers were chasing Davis and his family. They fled through Wilcox County. On the evening of May 9, Davis and his group reached Irwinville, in Irwin County. They set up camp in a pine forest. This is the spot where the historic site is today. They didn't know that Union soldiers were very close by.

At dawn the next day, May 10, 1865, Davis's camp was surrounded. Soldiers from the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry and the 4th Michigan Cavalry were there. The two Union groups didn't know each other were present. They briefly shot at each other before realizing they were firing at their own side. Davis tried to run to a nearby creek. However, a Michigan cavalryman arrested him. Along with Davis and his wife, his private secretary and other helpers were captured.

After his capture, Davis was held in Fort Monroe, Virginia. He was released two years later.

Building the Memorial Site

The land where Davis was captured belonged to Judge James Bagley Clements. In 1920, he gave four acres of land to the State of Georgia. He wanted it to become a state park. His father had bought the land after the war. He wanted to make sure it stayed in local hands.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy put up a monument exactly where Davis was captured. It's a tall stone pillar on a stepped base. It has carvings and words on it. On top is a bronze statue of Davis. The front carving shows Davis being captured by two Union soldiers. The back shows a battle scene. The sides show the Confederate flag. This monument was officially opened on June 3, 1936.

The Works Progress Administration built the museum at the memorial. It was finished in 1939. More land was added over time. By 1952, the park grew to almost 13 acres. In the mid-1970s, the site stopped being a Georgia state park. It was given to Irwin County in 1976. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the monument is surrounded by gravel and a low iron fence.

What You Can See and Do

The Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site offers several things for visitors:

• Civil War Museum - Watch a film and see old artifacts.
• Thirteen picnic sites - Perfect for a packed lunch.
• Group shelter - A large covered area that seats 100 people.
• Nature trail - A short, one-third mile path through nature.
• Monument - The main granite monument where Davis was captured.
• Gift shop - Find souvenirs and educational items.
• Playground - A fun area for younger visitors.

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