The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-06-26
MR. DAVIS PRISON LIFE.

tory of Mr. Davis prison life at Fortress Mon
roe, written by the Post Surgeon (s Federal
of6eer.) We copy that portion describing
the scene (which occurred when the order to
put Ex President DAVIS in irons, was being en-
forced, two days after he was committed to
prison. The Surgeon writes as follows:
"On the morning of the 23d of May, 1865,
bitter trial was in store for the proud spirit- -
a trial severer,, probably, than has ever in mod
ern times been inflicted upon any one who had
enjoyed such ennence. This morning Jsffer-
son Davis was shackled.
It was while all the srarming camps of the
armies CT the Potomac, the Tennessee and Geor-
gia-over two hundred thousand bronzed and
laurefied veterans-were preparing for the
Grand Review Of the next morning, in which,
passing in endless succession before the mansion
of the President, the conquering military power
of the nation was to lay down. its arms at the
feet Of the civil authority, that the following
scene was enacted at Fort Monroe:
Captain Jerome E Ttlow, of the Third
Pennsylvania artillery, entered the prisoner s
cell, followed by the blacksmith of the fort aud
his assistant, the latter carrying in his hands
some heavy and harshly rattIing shackles AS
they entered, MIR Davis reclining on his
bed, feverish and weary after a seepless night,
the food placed near to him the preceding day
still lying untouched on it's tin plate near his
bedside.
swell" said Mr. Davis, as they entered,
slightly raising his head.
Il have an unpleasant duty to perform, sill" :"
said Captain Titlow; and as he spoke the senior
blacksmi' took the shackles from his assistant
Davis leaped instantly from his recumb bent
attitude, fueh passing over his face for mo-
ment, and then his countenance growing ivid
and rigid death.
He gasped Tor breath clutching his throat
with the thin fingers of his right hand, and then
recovering himself slowly, while his wasted fig
ure lowered up to its full beght-now appear
ing to swell with indignation and then to shrink
with terror, as he glanced from the captains
face tothe shackies-he said slowly and with a
laboring chest:
"My'Go You cannot have been sent to
iron me?"
'Such are my orders, sir" replied the officer,
beckoning the blacksmith to approach, who
stepped forward, unlocking the paddock and
preparing the fetters to do their Office. These
fetters were of heavy iron, probably 6ve-eigbths
of an inch in thick ness, and connected. together
by chain of like-weight [ believe they are
row in the possession of Major-General Miles,
and will form an interesting relic.
"Ths is too moDstrous," groaned the prison
cr, glarlng hurriedly round the room, if for
some weapon, or means Of selEdestruction. 81
demand, Captain, that you let me see the com
mandng officer. Can he pretend that such
shack les are required to secure the safe custody
of weak old nan, SO guarded and in such a
fort as this p
. 1T could serve DO purposes" replied Captain
Titlow "his orders are from Washington, as
mine are from him.
"But be can telegraph" interposed Mr. Davis,
eagerly there must be some mistake. No such
outrage as you threaten me with is on record IN
the history of nations Beg him to telegraph,
and delay until he answers"
"My orders peremtory," said the officer,
sand admit of no delay For your own sake,
let me advise you to submit with patience. AS
a soldier, Mr. Davis, you know. must execute
orders "
"These are not orders for soldier" shouted
the prisoner, losing all control of himself -
"They are orders tor jailer-for a bangman,
which no soldier wearing a sword should ac-
cept u! Itell you the world will ring with this
disgrace The war is over; the South is con
quercd | have no longer any country but
America, and it is for the honor Of America as
for my own honor and life, that | plead against
this degradation. Kill me! kill me!'' he cried,
passioDately. throwing his arms wide open and
exposing his breast, 'raher than infict me,
and my people through me, this Insult worse
than death"
"Do your duty. blacksmith said the officer,
walking towards the embrasure as if not caring
to witness the performance at only gives in-
creased pain on all sides to protract this inter
view."
At these words the blacksmith advanced with
4 th.k he, bod
-one foot upon the cnair near his bedside, his
right hand resting on the back of it, the brawny
mechanic made an attempt to slip one of the
shsckles over the ankle SO raised but, as if
with tie vehemence and strength which frenzy
can impart, even to the weakest invalid, Mr.
Davis suddenly seized his assailaDt aud hurled
him hall. way across the room.
On this Captain Tltlow turned, and seeing
tha: Davis had backed against the wall for fur
ther resistance, began to demonstrate, pointing
out 10 brief clear language, that this course was
madness, and that orders must be eDtorcec at
any cost "Why compel me-" he said, ''to add
the further indignty of personal violence to the
necessity of your being ironcd r"
Il am prisoner of war; hercely retorted
Davis; 81 have been soldier in the armies OF
America, and know how to die Only kill me,
and nv last breath shall be blessing on your
head But while | have life aud strength to
resist, for myself and for my people, this thing
shall not be done"
Hereupon Captain Titlow called in sergeant
and file of soldiers from the next room, and the
sergeant advanced to seize the prisoner. I'm
medisey Mr. Davis few on him, seized his mus
ket and attempted to wrench it from his grasp
OF course such scene could haze but one
issue. There was short passionate scutie.-
In a moment Davis was flung upon his bed, and
before his four powerful assaiants removed theil