Late on May 8, 1865, Jefferson Davis, traveling with his family and a small escort, camped in Abbeville unaware that hostile pursuers were close behind. The next morning, shortly after his departure, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry [US] under Lt. Col. Henry Harnden arrived, stopped only to feed and water, and prepared to continue the pursuit. When the 4th Michigan Cavalry [US] under Lt. Col. B. D. Pritchard arrived, Harnden shared Davis' proximity and probable route but declined help and rode on to rejoin his command. Although originally bound down-river to intercept other Confederate officials, Pritchard abandoned that mission after riding about 12 miles, made a forced march, located Davis' camp late that night by posing as the escort, quietly surrounded it, and waited for dawn. Harnden, camped a few miles away and unaware of Pritchard's presence, moved in just before dawn to surround the camp, but his advance was fired upon. In the fight that followed, two Michigan soldiers were killed before a prisoner captured by Harnden's men revealed the identity of the supposed enemy. During this collision, Pritchard closed in and captured Davis and his party, later claiming for the 4th Michigan the fruits of the 1st Wisconsin's labors.