Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-06-22

the weakest invalid, Mr.. Davis suddenly
seized his assaiant and hurled him half way
across the room.
/ On this Capt. Titlow turned, and seeing
that Davis had backed against the wall for
further resistance, began to demonstrate,
pointing out III brief, clear language that this
course was madness, and that orders must
be enforced at any cost. why compel me, y
he said, g to add the further indignity Of
personal violence to the necessity Of your be-
ing ironed?"
:" [ am prisoner of war; fercely retort-
ed Davis 9 | have been soldier in the ar
mics of America, and know how to die. On
ly kill me, and my last breath shall 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"
Whereupon Captain Titlow called in SER
geant and file of soldiers from the next room,
and the sergeant advanced to seize the pris-
oner. Immediately Mr.. Davis few on him,
seized his musket and attempted to wrench
it from his grasp.
Of course such a scene could have but one
issue. There was short passionate scutfle.
In a moment Davis was flung upon his bed,
and before his four powerful assailants re-
moved their hands from him, the blacksmith
and his assistant had done their work-one
securing the rivet on the right ankle, while
the other turned the key on the paddock On
the left.
This done, Mr.. Davis lay for moment as
if in stupor. Then slowly raising himself
and turning round, he dropped his shackled
feet to the floor. The harsh clank of the
striking chain seems first to have recalled
him to his situation, and dropping his face
into his hands, he burst into a passionate
food of sobbing, rocking to and fro and
muttering at brief intervals: ooh, the shame,
the shame %
On the morning of May 24th, I was sent
for about half past eight A. NJ, by Major
General Miles, was told that State-prisoner
Davis complained of being i'll, and that [
had been assigned as his medical attendant
Calling upon the prisoner first time |
had ever seen him closely-he presented a
very miserable and affecting aspect
Stretched upon his pallet and very much
emaciated. MIR. Davis appeared mere fas-
cine Of raw and tremulous nerves-his eyes
restless and fevered, his head continually
shifting from side to side for cool spot on
the pillow, and his case clearly one in which
intense cerebral excitement was the first
thing needing attention He was extremely
Respondent, his pulse full and at ninety,
tongue thclly coated, extremities cold, and
his head troubled with longestablshed
neuralgia disorder. Complained Of his thin
camp mattress and pillow stuffed with hair,
adding, that he was SO emaciated that bis
skin chafed easily against the Stats.
Il can see the hideous announcement with
its flaming capitals, and cannot but anticipate
how much her pride and love will both be
shocked For myself [ am resigned, and
now only say, ''The Lord reprove them!'
The physical inconvenience of these things |
still feel (clanking his ankles together slightly
under the bed clothes, but their sense of hui
initiation is gone Patriots in all ages, to
whose memories shrines are now built, have
suffered as bad or worse indignities.'
"And SO. Doctor" he went on, 'syou
think all the miserable details Of my ironing
have been placed before the public? It is
not only for the hurt feelings Of my wife and
children, but for the honour of Americans
that regret it. My efforts to conceal from
my wife the knowledge of my sufferings are
unavailing."
HOW MR.. DAVIS WAS TORTURED IN PRISON.
THE DIARY OF THE POST SURGEON.
advised Mr.. Davis to spend as little time
in bed as he could that exercise was the best
medicine for dyspeptick patients TO this he
answered by uncovering the blankets from
his feet and showing me his shackled ankles.
''It is impossible for me, Doctor; I can
not even stand erect These shackles are
very heavy; [ know not, with the chain, how
many pounds. If try to move they trip
me, and have already abraded broad patches
of skin from the parts they touch. Can you
devise no means to pad OR cushion them, SO
that when [ try to drag them along they may
not chafe me SO intolerably? My limbs have
so little flesh on them, and that so weak as to
be easily lacerated."
At sight of this turned away, promising
to see what could be done, as exercise was
the chief medical necessity in this case; and
at this moment the first thrill Of sympathy
for my patient was experienced.
May 26.-Noticed that the prisoners din
ner lay untouched on it's tin plate near his
bedside, hismeals being broughtin by silent
soldier, who placed food on his table and then
withdrew. Had remarked before that he
scarcely touched the food served to him, his
appetite being feeble at best. and his diges-
ton out Of order.
May 27.-Called in the morning with the
officer of the day, Captnin Titlow Found
Mr. Davis in bed, very weak and dispond-
ing. He had not slept. Had been kept awake
by the heavy surging of the wind through the
big trees on the other side Of the moat.
Juuc 8.-Was called to the prisoner, whom
I had not seen for week. Entered with
Capt E. A. Evans, officer of the day.
Found No Davis relapsing and very despond-
ent. Complained again Of intolerable pains
in his head. Was distracted night and day
by the unceasing tread Of the two sentinels
in his room, and the murmur Or gable of
the guards in the outside cell. He said his
casemate was well formed for torture-room
of the inquisition. Its arched roof made it a
perfect whispering gallery in which all sounds
,~,o,o ,bIod op1 roraatad Tho Torment