Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-07

a military disaster. It was for this reason /
resisted as a duty to my faith, to nav coun-
trymen and to myself 1t was for this rea-
son / courted death from the muskets of the
guard. The officer Of the day prevented
that result, and, indeed, ,"-bowing to Cap
tain TITLow-" behaved like man of good
feeling. But, my poor wife! / can see the
hideous announcement with its flaming capi-
tails, and cannot but anticipate how much her
pride and love will both be shocked. For
myself ! am resigned, and now only say,
The Lord reproge themp The physical in
convenience ofthese things | still feel (elank-
ing his ankles together slightly under the
bed Clothes but their sense of humiliation
is gone Patriots in all ages, to whosememo-
ry shrines are now built, have suffered as bad
or worse indignities"
He thanked me for the breakfast that had
been sent him, expressing the hope that
would not let my wife be put to too much
trouble making broth and toast for one so
helpless and utterly wretched.
" WISH Doctor" said he, l could com
pensate you by getting well; but my case is
most unpromising. Your newspapers" he
went on with a grim SMILE should pray
for the success of your skill If you fail,
where viii their extra editions be-their
startling head lines? Ny death would only
give them food for one or two days at most
while my trial-for / suppose shall be given
some kind of a trial-would Eatten for them
a months crop of lucrative excitement"
Finding the conversation, or rather his
monologue, running into a channel more
likely to excite than soothe him-the latter
being the object for which | was always
willing to listen during the fifteen or twenty
minutes-these intervals usually lastedwhile
he was seriously ILL now rose to take my
leave, gently limiting that he should avoid
such thoughts and topics as much as posi-
bic.
He took my remark in the wrong sense,
as if l had been hurt at his saying anything
that might cast a reflection on the justice
that might be dealt to him by Government,
or upon the style of journalism in Northern
newspapers. But l explained that nothing
could be farther from my thoughts; that my
counsel was purely medical, and to divert
him from a theme that must re-arouse the
cerebral excitement we were seeking to allay.
Called again at s P. NJ. same day. Mr..
DAVIS still very weak, and had been troub-
led with several faint, not exactly fainting
spells, his pulse indicating extreme debility.
He said the nights were very tedious and
haggard. During the day be could find
employment reading (the Bible or prayer
book being seldom out Of his hand while
alone but during the night his anxieties
about his family returned; and the footballs
Of the sentries in the room with hin-their
very breathing or coughing-continual
called back his thoughts, when otherwise
and for a moment more pleasantly wander
ing, to his present situation. He had watch
ed the weather all day with intense interest;
and had been cheered to observe from the
slant of the rain that the wind appeared to
continue northearst. so that he hoped his
family were by this time in Savannah.
Then went on to say that he feared. after
he had been removed from the Clyde, his |
wife must have suffered the annoyance of !
having her trunks searched-an unnecessary
act, it seemed to him, as, of course, if she |
had anything to conceal, she could have got |
rid of it on the passage up.
On my remarking, to soothe him, that no
such search was probable, he said it could |
hardly be otherwise. He had received |
suit of heavy clothes from the propeller;
and General MILES, in informing him of the |
fact, had mentioned that there were quite a |
number of suits there.
And so, Doctor" he went on, you think |
all the miserable details of my ironing have |
been placed before the public? Ii isnOt only |
for The hurt feelings Of my lClte and children, but
for he honor Of americans that regret Il. Ny |
efforts to conceal from my wife the know |
ledge of my sufierings are unavailing; and |
it were perhaps better that she should know |
the whole truth, as probably less distressing |
to her than what may be the impressions Of |
her fears. Should / write such letter to |
her, however, she would never get it."
SUNDAY, May 2S.-At eleven A. NJ, this |
morning was sitting on the porch in front of |
my quarters when Captain FREDERICK |
KoRTE, Third Pennsylvania Artillery, who |
was officer of the day, passed towards the |
cell of the prisoner followed by the black |
smith. This told the story, and sent pleas |
ant professional thrill of pride through my |
veins.
Did not let Mr.. DAVIS see me then, but |
retired, thinking it better the prisoner should |
be left alone in the first moments of regain |
ing so much of his personal freedom.
Called again at two p. NJ. with the officer |
of The day. Immediately on entering, Mr.. |
DAVIS arose from his seat, both hands ex- |
tended and his eyes filled with tears. He |
was evidently about to say something, but |
checked himself; or was checked by rush |
of emotion, and sat down upon his bed.
| congratulated him on the change OBJ !
serving that my promise Of his feeling bet |
ter was being fulfilled; and he must now |
take all the exercise that was possible for |
him, for on this his future health would de |
pend Captain KORTE, too, joined in my |
congratulations very kindly, and spoke with |
the frank courtesy of gentleman and sol |
der
Recurring to the subject of his family, |
Mr. DAVIS asked me had | not been called |
upon to attend Miss HOWELL, his wife's sis
ter, who had been very i'll at the time of |
his quitting the Clyde. Replied that Col. |
JAMES Chief Quartermaster, had called at |
my quarters, and requested me to rjsit a sick |
Iady on board that uessel; believed it was the
lady he referred to, but could not be sure Of !
the name. Had mentioned the matter TO Gen. |
-HdeS, asking a pass 10 rist bit he objected, |
Saginq the orders tDere to cll0le no cOIHmunica- |
ton rih The ship.
Mr.. DAVIS exclaimed this was inhuman. |
The ladies had certainly committed no crime,
and there 1rerC no longer any prisoners on board |
the ship irhen The request lUGS made, he and Mr.
Clay hdriEg been the last remOred. The lady |
was very seriously i'll, and no officer, nogen-
tleman, no man Of Christian or even human
feelings, would have so acted. General !
Niles uas from Massachusetts he had heard,
and his action both in this and other mat
tiers appeared IN harmony with his origin.
1t was much for Massachusetts TO boast that
one Of her sons had been appointed his jail
or; and it was becoming such jailor to op-
Dress helDlpss women and children 3