Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-07-07

striking chains seems first to have recalled
him to his situation, and dropping his face
into his hands, he burst into passionate
flood OF sobbing, rocking to and fro, and
mutterng at brief intervals: so, the shame,
the shame !"
The Doctor reported to General Miles,
urging that the continued irritation of the
letters was counterpoising whatever medi-
cines might be given.
On the 2Sth, five days after the shackles
were put on, they were taken off The Doc.
tor called at p. M. Immediately on en-
tering, Mr.. Davis rose from his seat, both
hands extended, and his eyes filed with
tears. He was evidently about to say some
thing, but checked himself; or was checked
by rush of emotions, and sat down upon his
bed.
Mr.. Davis, in August, began to suffer from
erysipelas and from carbuncle on
his thigh. For these DR.. Craven treated
him. On the 21st of August he made re-
port of the prisoners illhealth to Gen.
Miles. Mr.. Davis had long complained of
his cell as having a misasmatic atmosphere
from the moat outside, and being damp,
( seriously affected him. On the 21st of Sep.
tember the doctor says:
Assured Mr. Davis that his opinion on
the matter had for some time been my own,
and that on several occasions had called
the attention of Major General Miles to the
subject. Satisfied that the danger was now
serious if he were longer continued in such
an atmosphere, would make an official re-
| port on the subject to the general COM
manding, recommending a change of quar-
| ters."
This report was sent to the War Depart
| ment. 1t received attention and a new
room was prepared. for Mr.. Davis, and DR..
Craven was ordered to select the room for
| himself, which he did in the second story of
the south end of Carroll Hall, building
| long used as officers quarters, near the main
sally port.
At times Mr. Davis showed great solici-
! tude as husband and father for his wife
and children, and concern as TO other (espe-
cially Mr.. Clay's) health. His prison fare
was finally improved by supplies from the
doctors table. Under prison regulations he
was not allowed to use knife and fork,
and all his letters were inspected by the
government.
ON POLITICIANS AND GENERALS.
Regarding the members of his Cabinet, he
speaks of Robert Toombs as "a born Jaco-
bin, destroyer, not builder up;" of Ben
jamin as his ablest and most faithful coun-
selor, though at first believing, with Mr..
Seward, that the crisis would be over in
ninety days and of Pope, Walker. Mem
minger and Reagan, sometimes with fear
less compliment, but with perfect plainness
and unreserve. Toombs was "always i'm
practicable and restless" and the Rhetts OF
South Carolina, were men whose lives were
expended in the negative-never at home
save when in the attitude of contradiction y
He describes Foote as man of mo account
| =, 4
mere politician" OF jackson and Sidney
johnson, and of Lee and Bragg, he speaks
with enthusiasm, tenderness and respect
considers the victory of Chickamauga as
one of the most brilliant of the war, and i'm
putes the fall of Vicksburg and Atlanta tC
General Jos. Johnston. When Secretary o.
War, he considered Mcclellan the ables
officer in the army, but thought he had beer
promoted ''too rapidly for his own good.
Pope twas kind of American Gascon, bu
with good scientific attainments;" Sumne
and Sedgwck, gallant and able soldiers
Hunter Zone of his most determined enemie
during the war; "the soul of integrity, in
trepidity, true Christian piety and honor.
Grant was q great soldier, beyond doubt
though of new school "but if he had no
started with an enormous account in hanl
his checks would have been dishonored be
fore the elimination was reached" MI
Davis said he owed to Gen. Butler "the bes
joke of the war-Dutch Cap"
ON PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
Mr. johnson, he believes, being South
ern man, cannot do as much for the Soutl
as would Mr.. Lincoln, probably, had h
/, lived He respects the Presidents integrlt.
and greatly original force of character :,
touches upon his "morbidly sensitive pride,
7 .Ntx alf fan
tion," while sitting with associates, man.
of whom he knew pretended to aristocracy,
and finally credits him with faithfulness t
his word, and "a courage which took tn
form of angry resistance if urged to do any
thing which might clash with his convic
tions of duty" But for his decided atti
tude against secession, he would probabl
have been given the place of Mr.. Stephen
on the presidential ticket of the Confederacy
ON MIR. LINCOLN.
OF Mr.. Lincoln he then spoke, not in al
tected terms of regard or admiration, hu
paying a simple and sincere tribute to hi
goodness of character, honesty of purpose
and Christian desire to be faithful to hi
duties according to such light as was give
him. Also to his official purity and free
dom from avarice. When Mr.. Lin
( coin was reinaugurated, the cause of hi
people was hopeless, or very nearly so-th
struggle only justifable in continuance b
l its better attitude for obtaining terms an
D from no ruler the United States could hav
might terms so generous have been expected
Y Mr.. Lincoln was kind of heart, naturall
longing for the glory and repose Cf a secon
: term to lie spent in peace. Mr.. johnson
! being from the South, dare not offer sue
, liberal treatment; his motives would be in
t pugned. Il At the time it occurred
S Mr. Lincolu's death, even by natural causes
: would have been serious injury to tn
: prospects of the South but the manner c
his taking off, frenzying the Northern mint
was the last crowning calamity of dt
i spairing and defeated, though righteou
cause"
, OTHER CONVERSATIONS.
e Mr.. Davis also expressed his views a
Y great length upon the negroes and their II
ture, remsrking that he saw no reason VIII
: they must die out, unless remaining idle
{ Much less than million, he thought, woul
@ cover the casualties among them during tn
v war. The distinguished prisoner also ente
o tanned his physician with disquis;tions upo
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