Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-07-28
Condition of Jeff. Davis.
HIS DAILY PRISON HABITS.


Davis in prison, and OF the great des-
pondency he demonstrates, particularly
Gas is supposedly since he heard the news
of the execution of the consplrators.--
The writer says that great and marked
change for the worse has taken place
since that time
Davis rises early in the morning. gen
orally at five--bathes and reads his Bible
till halfpast eight, when he has break
fast, which is brought him by soldier
Tea, toast and an egg or two, or broiled
steak, usually make up his breakfast
HIS appetite is very variable. Gen
Miles may call in to see him and pass a
few words, or the officer of the guard
may have something to say; for only
these two, except bis physician and Car
ven, and the chaplain, of course, when
he calls, are allowed to speak TO him.
In conversation he has betrayed an
anxiety and even determination to discuss
the subject of the impossibility of ever
convicting him of treason. He throws
himself back upon the question of State
rights as his main point of defense
For some time, finding that all the dis
cussion was on his own side, he has kept
silent on the subject. Except these in
terruptions in tue way of conversation,
which, it will be understood are not
daily by any means, he passes most of
his time till half past 3 p. M, his dinner
hour, in looking at the window. He
smokes his pipe occasionally, but is no
great smoker. He says that much smokN
ing makes him too nervous. After din
ner he passes the time as before. He
has supper at haif-past eight O'Clock, and
then directly goes to bed. His food is
always of the best quality. He sleeps
pretty soundly, but more so formerly
than latterly. At first the light kept
burning in the room all night troubled
him, but be has become used tc it and
makes no complaint or the subject now,
as perhaps he knows it would do no good
if he did.
On Sunday last, 10th inst, Davis sent
for the chaplain, for the second time since
his imprisonment. Chaplain Kerfoot
was sent to his cell. He greeted the
chaplain with warmth. 1T is to you and
to this book (holding the Bible in his
handy 4 must look he said, 'for consola>
tion now The chaplain talked to him
of lis spiritual condition, read to him
passages from the Bible and prayed with
him. After the chaplain left, Davis ap-I
peared to be in much better spirits than
he has been for some time past. He
reads the Bible morning and event lg.-I
He confesses his belief in the Bible, and
processes to have made it the ruling guide
Of his life. 1t is evident, however, that
he does not fancy being confined exclu-
sively to reading the Scriptures, for he
clamors for different style Of
literature; but his request 10 this regard
ihus far has not been complied WITH
This refusal to extend his reading privi-
Ieges, and not permitting him to write to
his wife or see letters from her, have
formed the burden of his complaints
IF permission was given him to have all
the books he wished he could not read
much himself aud for the comfort de-
rived from them would have to rely
mainly on others reading to him. One
eye is now almost totally blind, and the
other gives indication of rapidly becom-
ing so. He has complained lately of see
ing objects double. He still wears his
goggles during the day time.
From all sources of information it isl
cleaned that jeff. Davis is slowly but
surely declining in health from his pro-
tracted Imprisonment. He will not even
avail himself of the opportunities of ex-
ercise afforded him, and he has a space
of about twenty by twenty feet be could
walk about in if he chose; but all the
long hours of each weary day be sits at
the barred embrasure of his casemate,
sullen, silent, speechless. With his chin
alternately resting on one hand and then
on both, he looks unintermittingly through
tn opening. Where rest his eyes and
what thoughts stir that brain no one can
tell, Before him are the bay and the
passing ships, and the Rip Raps, growing
each day into wonderous work of i'm
pregnable strength; and beyond, the.
blue sky and fleeing clouds and wild sea
birds enjoying the boundlesS freedom of
the outer air. And mingling with these
sights comes that perpetual, mourn(ul re-
frain, the sound of the waves dashing
upon the beach. Here be is prisoner,
and under what circumstances and un-
der what terrible charges hanging over
him Not a moment is he left alone-notl
q moment passes that he is not under the
vigilant eye Of soldiers. There is no
egress through these strong iron bars
There can be no attempt at rescue from
without. What wonder is it that form
has grown more emaciated, those cheeks
more sunken, those eyes more lustrous,
that brow more wrinkled-his hair whittier,
his words fewer, his spirits sunk in per-
petual gloom? Health has left him, hope
is gone; that proud spirit is broken, and
the end is not far. | am writing no fancy
sketch. ] have been told to-day, (Mon-
day. l7th,) that jeff. Davis, if he keeps
up his present prison habits and despon,
dency, ,0iW not HUe Sir Oeeks longer"