American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-05-31
A Virginian mt Fortress Monroe,
A Look at JEFF. Davis and talk with
his Wife,

| From the RlChmond Examiner. ~,
We have from the lips Of Virginia
gentleman, who, within the last week, Wis
lied Fortress Monroe. the citadel that
holds Jefferson Davis, narrative of the
inner domestic life of Mr. Davis, and that
of his devoted and estimable wife, who.
through the humanity of President John
son, is allowed to be near him and visit
him daily. The narrative. besides being
interesting is far more truthful than the
sensation stories of northern correspon-
dents, whose only stock in trade consists
in Imagination.
Soon after landing. and while walking
to the fort, our narrator had the pleasure
Of observing Mr.. Davis, between / | and
| 9 o'clock in the forenoon. taking his Gus
tomary walk upon the ramparts of the
fort From that distance he looked weak
and emaciated, and used cane for sup
port. His suit was the old familiar grey,
in which he so often appeared to the cit-
zens of Richmond, as his erect form
slided back and forth through Capitol
square, to and from the presidential man
sion, and his Office in the customhouse.
His hat was the broad. brimmed fell, also
familiar 10 oar citizens, and which be al,
ways wore in taking his rides to the lines
around Richmond.
Subsequently the gentleman had a
pleasant interview with Mrs. Jefferson
Davis, at the residence Of Dr. Cooper,
the post surgeon. He found Mrs. Davis
sat home, " in an apartment comfortably,
though not elegantly furnished, and she
did not seem to want for anything. Her
conversation was the same that so often
charmed visitors when she, the wife Of the
President of brave nation struggling for
their Liberties, dispensed the courtesies
and hospitaities Of the presidential man
sion. She spoke freely and feeliugly of
the health of Mr.. Davis. Though weak
from long confinement and want of change
Of air, his general health, she thought,
was good and his spirits had revived
since he had been permitted to visit and
be nigh him.
Mrs. Davis spoke warmly and frequent
ly Of the kindness of DR.. Cooper also of
the ollicers of the fort and post. She was
dressed in black silk, her usual toilette in
Richmond, without ornament, and seemed
happy in he privilege allowed her.
Her youngest daughter, George. is with
her. beautiful little girl, with somewhat
Of sadness in her eyes and face. The
other children, Jefy and an older dau2h-
ter, are 10 Montreal, Canada. Mrs.
Davis old dining.room servant, who
waited at the presidential mansion. is al
so with her. He says he never intends
to leave her, and is exceedingly attentive,
almost anticipating her wants He ac-
companied Mrs. Davis and the children
in their Journey to Charlotte, North Car
DINA, previous to the fall of Richmond,
and, needless 10 the allurements OF the
yankees, has remained true 10 the end.
The southern people will not forget this
faithful negro, who. though a freedman
by the result Of the war, elects 10 remain
the Trustworthy servant still.
Mrs. Davis nurse Mary, is at the Fort.
ress, in attendance upon little George.
She, too, is very devoted and attentive to
the health and wants Of her mistress,
by which name she addresses her Mrs.
Davis. in the cour.e Of conversation,
spoke kindly and feeingFy of the sympa>
lhetic expressions of the southern people,
and their coincidence expressed for her
self and husband, touching the situation
in which the latter had been placed by
the untoward fortunes of war. She tx
pressed desire 10 see some of The leading
southern newspapers. and, in this con-
neclibn. alluded to the Richmond E,rdnt.
iner. expressing her gratitude Of its alter
ed and softened tone of comment upon the
ex-President. For this we claim no cred
liz. Mr.. Davis is a prisoner. not felon,
and so long as it is attempted 10 make
him one, he will End in this journal
champion and defender to the last.
In the course of one Of Mrs Davis re-
cent interviews with her husband. Mr.
Davis expressed himself as much relieved
and grati6ed By the fact that an indict-
ment against him had been found. He
now hoped for a speedy trial be was
easy in his mind as 10 the result. Mrs.
Davis was of the opinion that the inn
provement in his spirits. though appa
rent from ner first coming, had increased
since the announcement Of the finding Of
an indictment against him.
Some Of the unpleasantness and petty
annoyanees that have made Mr.. Davis