The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-21
Jefferson Davis.

The Herdlds correspondent, writing
from Fortress Monroe, on the 18th gives
some interesting gossip in relation to
Jefferson Davis, all or none of which
may be true:
From all the sources of information I
am able to command, there is no doubt
Jeff. Davis is slowly butsurely declining
in health from his prOtracted imprison-
ment. He will not even avail himself of
the opportunities of exercise afforded
him, and he has space of about twenty
feet he could walk about in if he chose
but all the long hours of each weary day
he 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 unin-
termittingly through this 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 wondrous work of impregnable
strength and beyond, the blue sky and
tleeting clouds and wild sea birds enjoy
ing the boundless freedom of the outer
air. And mingling with these sights
comes that perpetual, mournful refrain,
the beech. Here he is a prisoner, and
under what circumstances and under
what terrible charges hanging over him.
Not moment is he left alOne-not q
moment passes that he is not under the
vigilant eye of soldiers. There is no
egress through those strong iron bars.
There is no escape through this Gordon
of muskets. There can be no attempt
at rescue from without What wonder
is it that 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 spirit sunk in perpetual
gloom? Health has left him, hope is
gone; that proud spirit is broken, and
the end is not far. am writing no fam
cy sketch. have been told to-day that
jeff Davis, if he keeps up his present
prison habits and dependency, aviU not
iue sic aoeeks longer.
Yesterday Mr.. Davis requested per-
mission for a chaplain to see him. This
is the second request of this kind he has
made since his arrival. Chaplain Ker-
foot was sent to his cell. He greeted the
chaplain with warmth. "It is to you
and to this book' (holding the Bible in
his hand) II must look, +" he said, "for
consolation now" The chaplain talked
to him of his spiritual condition, read
to him passages from the Bible and
prayed with him. After the chaplain
left Davis appeared to be in much better
spirits than he has been in for some
time past.
He reads the Bible morning and even
ing. Recently, L am told, he protracts
these readings much more than at the
commencement of his imprisonment.
He confesses his belief in the Bible, and
Processes to have made it the ruling
guide of his life. 1t is evident that he
does not fancy being confined exclusive
ly to reading the Scriptures for he
sometimes clamors for different style
of literature; but his request in this re-
gard thus far has not been complied with.
This refusal to extend his reading privi-
leges, and not permitting him to write
to his wife or see letters from her, have
formed the burden of his complaints.
In regard to John Mitchell, the same
authority says:
Nothing seems to affect the physique
of lIr. Mitchell. He is apparently as
good in health as on the day he was
brought here. Hegoes barefooted most
of the time, and takes things coolly and
quietly. His manners are not very con-
ciliatory, nor calculated to attach friends
to him. / am told that he has not late
ly expressed any fears as to the Presi-
dent pressing pardon upon him.