The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-06-28
The Arch Rebel in Erons.

In the "PTison Life of Jefferson Davis" |
the new book just published by DR. era,
ven, for seven months medical attendant I
at Fortress Monroe, the following account
is given of TIE celebrated ironing scene in .
which the great rebel chieftain PLAYED so
prominent part =
''When the officer intimated the purpose /
for which be had come, attended 6y a (
smith, Mr.. Davis, springing up from his /
bed, gasping for breath, cIutching his
throat with the fingers Of his right hand
and then recovering himself slowly, while
his wasted figure followed up to its full
helght-now appearing to swell With in
dignation and then to shrink with terror
as he glanced from the captains face to
the shackles-he said, slowly and With
laboring chest:
"EMy God You cannot have been sent
to iron me p
Such are my orders, SIR replied the
officer, beckoning the blacksmith to ap-
proach, who stepped forward, unlocking
the paddock, ana preparing the fetters to
do their office. These fetters were of
heavy iron, probably e.eights of an inch
IN thickness, and connected together by
chain of like weight. L believe they are
now in the possession of Major General
Miles, and will form an interesting relic
[Oh, doctor, what an anti-climax
"'Ihis is too monstrous,' groaned the
prisoner, glaring hurr;edly around the
room, as if for some weapon or means of
self-destruction. 4 demand, captain, that
you let ME see the commanding officer
Can he pretend that such Shackles are re-
quircd to secure The safe custody OF a weak
old man, so guarded and in such fort as
this p
cot could serve no purpose replied
Captain Titlow 'his orders are from
Washington, as mine are from him.
But he can telegraph interposed
Mr.. Davis, eagerly; there must be some
mistake. No such outrage as you threat
en- me with is on record in the history of
nations. Beg him 10 telegraph, and delay
until he answers
My orders are ?eremptory, saiu the
officer, and admit of no delay. For your
OWE sake, let NE advise you to submit
with patience. AS a soldier, Mr.. Davis,
you know l must execute orders
"'These are not orders for a-soldier,
shouted the prisonc.5 losing fissrontrol ST
himself. 'They are orders fer jsilor-~-
for hangman, which no soldier wearing
a sword should accept | tell you the
world will ring with this disgrace. The
war is over; the South IS conquered |
have no longer any country but America,
and it is for the honor of America, as for
my own honor and lite, that l plead
against this degradation. Kill me! kill
me y he cried, passjoAately, throwing his
| uvIHo ord hIc hpaoSt
rather than infict on me, and on my
people, through me, this insult worse Than
| death
"'Do your duty, blacksmith said the
officer, walking towards the embrasure as
if not caring to witness she performance,
lit only gives increased pain on all sides
to protract this interview
! ''At these words, the blacksmith ad-
vanced with the shackles, and seeing that
the prisoner had one foot upon the chair
pear his bedside, his right hand resting
on the back Of it, the brawny mechanic
made an attempt to slip one OF the shackles
over the ankle SO raised; but, as if with
| the vehemence and strength which frenzy
| can impart, even to the weakest invalid,
| Mr.. Davis suddenly seized his assaiant
! and hurled him halfway across the room.
con this, Captain Titlow turned, and
seeing that Davis had backed against the
wall for further resistance, began to
demonstrate, pointing out il brief, clear
language, that this course was madness,
and that orders must be enforced at any
cost. why compel me- be said, 'to add
the further indignity of personal violence
to the necessity of your being ironed =
I" Il am prisoner of war; iercely re
torted Davis; Il have been soldier in
the armies of America, and know how TO
die. Only kill me, and my last breath
shal! be a blessing on your head. But
while [ have life and strength to resist,
for myself and for my people, this thing
shall not be done
"Hereupon Captain Titlow called in a
sergeant and file of soldiers from the next
room, and the sergeant advanced to seize
the prisoner. Immediately, Mr.. Davis
flew on him, seized his musket, and al
tempted to wrench ii from his grasp.
"Of course such a scene could have but
one issue. This was short, passionate
scuffle. In a moment Davis was flung
upon his bed, and before his four power
lul assailants removed their hands from
him, the blacksmith and his assistant had
| done their work-Qne securing the rivet
on one ankle, while the other turned the
key in the paddock on the left'