Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-06-29
: sfFrERsoN DAVIS In PRtsoh.

ton: New York.
The story of the imprisonment Of the
iiIustrions parsonage whose name and fame
are linked iuseparably with the fortunes of
the Confederate cause, possesses peculiar
Interest, especially when written by one
evidently moved by manly impulses, and
a respect for the truth Of history. We
cannot at this time attempt any critical
notice of the work, or give more than one
or two extracts, but promise TO return to it
from time to time. until we have given our
readers fair chance to judge Of the in
terest and value of the work. We begin
with
Mr.. DAVIS UsHERED INTO PRISON.
May 81, 1s85-The procession into the
fort WAS under the immediate inspection Of
Major-General Halleck and Charles A.
Dana, then Assistant Secretary of War
Colonel Pritchard, Of the Michigan caval-
~, who Immediately effected the capture,
being the officer in command of the guard
from the vessel to the fort. First came
Major General Miles holding the arm OF
Mr.. Davis, who was dressed in a suit of
plain Confederate gray, with gray slouch-
ed hat-always thin, and now looking
much wasted and very haggard. Imme-
distely after these came Colonel Pritchsrd
accompanying Mr.. Clay, with guard of
soldiers in their rear. Thus they passed
through files Of men in blue from the En-
gineer's Landing to the Water Battery
Postern; and on arriving at the casemate
which had been fitted up into cells for
their incarceration. Mr.. Davis was shown
into easement No. two and Clay into No.
four, guards Of soldiers being stationed in
the cells numbered one, three, and five,
upon each side of them. They entered;
the heavy doors changed behind them, and
In that claug was rung the final knell Of
the terrible. but not extinct rebellion.
Being ushered into his inner cell by
General Milea, aud the Two doors leading
thereinto from the guardroom being fasten-
ed. Mr.. Davis, after surveying the premises
for some moments, and looking out through
the embrasure with such thoughts passing
over his lined and expressive face as mny
be imagined. suddenly seated himself in
chair, placing both hands on his knees, and
asked one of the soldiers pacing up and
down within his cell this significant ques-
tion: "Which way does the embrasure
face 2"
The soldier was silent.
Mr.. Davis, raising bis voice little, re-
peated the inquiry.
But again dead silence, or only the
measured footballs Of the Two pacing pa
cling sentries within, aud the fainter echoes
OF the four without.
Addressing the other soldier, as if the
first had beer deaf and had not heard him,
the prisoner again repeated his inquiry.
But the second soldier remained silent,
as the first, slight twitching of bis eyes
only insimating that he had heard the ques.
ton, but was forbidden to speak.
'Well,' said Mr.. Davis, throwing his
hands up and breaking into bitter laugh,
Il wish my men could have been taught
your disciplined + and then, rising from his
chair. he commenced pacing back and
fourth before the embrasure, now looking
at the silent sentry across the moat, snd
anon at the two silently pacing soldiers
who were his companions in the case
ment.
His sole reading matter, a Bible and
prayer.book, his only companions those
two silent guards, his only food the ordi--
nary rations of bread and beef served ont
to tho soldiers of the garrison-tbus passed
the first day and night of the ex-Presi-
dents confinement.
On the Esd day Of May, the third day
Of his imprisonment. he underwent being
put In irons---'a trial severer,' says, Dr..
Craven, than has ever been inflicted ut,on
any one whohas enjoyed such sminence. ;
Captain Tslow, of the, Third Penbsylva.
MIA Artillery, was sent to see it performed.
HOW MR. DAVIS WAS rU7 IN 1Roxs.
Well : said Mr.. Davis as they entered,
sliehtly rsising his head.
have an unpleasant duty to perform,
s''' saH Capt. THlov, and j. AZ 'hs spoke,
sns senior blacksmith took the sbackles
from bis assistant s
DAVIS 'eaped instantly from. .his recum!
oens attitude, q fiash Esssing ayieitnhis face
for moment, and then his eotht4na noa
erowipg liyid and rigid a. death..i.,''