The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-07 00:00:00

PRICE 4d.
STAMPED sd.

AMERICA.

(REUTE R'S EXPRESS.)
PER CITY OF BOSTON.

NEW YORK, May 27 (Noon).
Bills of indictment for high treason have been
found by the Grand Jury of the District of Co-
lumbia-against Jefferson Davis and John Brecken-
ridge. Mr. Davis is to be arraigned before the
court in a few days. The indictment against him
recites that Jefferson Davis, late of Henrico county,
Virginia, being a citizen of, and owing allegiance
and fidelity to, the United States, wickedly, de-
visingly, and intending to disturb the peace and to
subvert the Government of the said United States,
to stir, move, and excite rebellion, insurrection, and
war against the United States, on the Ist day of
June, 1864, at the county of Henrico aforesaid, un-
lawfully, falsely, and traitorously did compass, levy,
and carry on war and rebellion against the United
States for the subversion of the Government in the
district of Columbia aforesaid ; and being leagued in
conspiracy with a large number of insurgents, and
being the leader and commander of said insurgents,
did march and proceed to invade the said county of
Washington, and then and there on the 12th day
of July, 1864, did make war upon a certain fort
called Fort Stevens, did kill and wound a large
number of troops of the United States, contrary to
the duty of his said allegiance and fidelity to the
United States.

The above is the substance of the indictment,
which is a document of the most plethoric propor-
tions.

Mr. Davis is now oonfined. in the casements of
Fortress Monroe. A correspondent of the Herald
states that he occupies the rear room of a casemate
of two apartments, the windows being heavily
barred. Two guards occupy the room with him,
while in the outer room are constantly stationed a
commissioned officer and guard, all charged with
the duty of seeing that the prisoner does not escape.
No one is permitted to speak a word to him. Mr.
Clay, who surrendered himself to answer the charge
of complicity in the asmssination of Mr. Lincoln, is
confined in an adjoining casemate. Mrs. Davis,
her four children (one an infant), her brother and
sister, and Mrs. C. C. Clay have been refused per-
mission to go North, and have been sent back to
Savannah from Fortress Munroe.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is responsible for the
circulation of a report seriously involving the hon-
our of the Government. That journal gives the
following account of a most cowardly abuse of
power by the national authorities :--
" BALTIMORE, May 25, 1865.
_ _

" I learn from a well-informed gentleman, who
left Fortress Monroe yesterday evening, that Jeff.
Davis has manacles on both ankles. He stoutly
resisted the process of manacling, and threatened
vengeance on those who did it. Rather than sub-
mit he wanted the guards to shoot him. It became
necessary to throw him on his back and hold him
until the irons were clinched by a son of Vulcan.
He exhibited intense indignation and scorn, but
finally caved in and wept. He indicated writhing
misanthropy and an inclination toward felo de se.
Nor knives or forks are allowed in the cell, nothing
more destructive than spoons. Two guards are in
the casemate continually. The clanking chains
give him intense horror."
The story is generally discredited. Admitting the
possibility of its truth, however, the Press denounce
the proceeding—even the Herald, which journal says
"There is no need of any such mode of securing the
rebel chief. He cannot escape. No good and
strong Government does an unnecessary act. This,
if true, would, bad as Jeff. Davis is, come under this
head. If true, the act is certainly without the sanc-
tion of the President, and will not be tolerated by
him. It is fair to believe that the whole story was
made up to sell, regardless of all other considera-
tions."

The story of Mr. Davis's attempt to escape in his
wife's clothing is now pretty well exploded. Of the
many accounts furnishedno two are alike. The latest
version of the affair comes from Washington, and
represents that Col. Pritchard has presented to. the
War Department the historical garments themselves,
which are now said to consist of a water-proof cloak
used by Mr. Davis as a skirt, and a shawl which he
used as a hood. It seems probable that the petti-
coat hoax has been purposely circulated by certain
officials in order to heap ridicule upon the Confede-
rate leader. The World of to-day says :—" The
foolish slanders propagated by the War Department,
respecting Davis's disguise in female apparel, of
which there are three different versions—each in-
consistent with the other—disclose an animus which
causes us to look upon the present story with some
anxiety, although we do not credit it." The present
story referred to is the report of Mr. Davis being
placed in irons.
Caricatures, representing Mr. Davis attired in
hoop skirt, shawl, and bonnet, are sold all over the
country. Also others representing him in similar
costume, brought to bay, bowie-knife in hand.
These cowardly kicks at the dead lion find special
favour with the rabble. To the credit of the Press
it is to be admitted that, with some few disgraceful
exceptions, generally among the War Democratic
papers, few of the leading journals endorse these
absurb and cowardly slanders.
Alexander H. Stephens, and Paymaster Reagan,
have been consigned to Fort Warren in Boston
I I arb our.

Ex-Governor John Latcher, of Virginia, James
A. Giddon, ex-Confederate Secretary of War, and
Judge John A. Campbell have been arrested in
Viginia, and are to be brought to Washington to
await the action of the Federal authorities in their
cases.

Advices from New Orleans indicate the probability
of some severe fighting yet beyond the Mississippi.
Kirby Smith refuses to surrender, and is said to be
receiving large reinforcements of men from east of
the river. General J. B. Hood had joined him.
The people in several towns of Texas have, by pub-
lic meetings, declared themselves in favour of con-
tinuing resistance, and have advised a rigorous con-
scription to recruit the armies of Smith and
Magruder.

A detailed account, published in the Macon,
Georgia, Telegraph (Union paper now), of the cap-
ture of Jefferson Davis, gives an apparently truth-
ful version of the affair. It seems that Mr. Davis
had posted two cavalry videttes out on the roads
leading to his camp, but the men, being utterly ex-
hausted, were captured while asleep. Colonel Prit-
chard sent a detachment of the 2d Wisconsin cavalry
by a detour to command the road beyond the camp,
while the 4th Michigan cavalry advanced directly
upon it. Mr. Davis was asleep when taken, as were
also all the inmates of the tent, except Colonel
Johnson. Leaving a guard over Mr. Davis, his
family, and escort, the 4th Michigan, supposing that
a large Confederate force must be ahead, went out
to attack them. At-a short distance the 2d Wis-
consin was encountered, and, under a mutual mis-
take, several volleys were exchanged. Mr. Davis at
once assured his captors that they were killing their
own men, as he had no force with him, beyond the
few already captured. When the firing was stopped
it was found six men had been killed and seven
wounded.

This " petticoat
story," ac
buctosuanytsmtahkaets
nnootnhlienngtiownorotfhtyheo
of
n ote
oc-
curred on the road from Irwinsville to Macon, Mr.
Davis and his family being treated with the utmost
civility by their captors, and receiving from the
people along the road many tokens of affection and
esteem. It now seems that no specie of any account
was found with the party, and the report of the
millions of dollars plundered from the Richmond
banks was a gross misstatement.

George N. Sanders published in Montreal on the
22d of May a letter addressed to " Titus Oates
Holt, Judge Advocate of the United States, care of
E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, and co-con-