Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-07-03
a<zs asau STANTON, VA. TUESDAY, B.,


ably irreproachable, but whose photography
was very bad, was directed to tell me that, ex-
| cept under very extraordinary circumstances
he did not go out of his Office, and ''all such, !"
| (which afterwards found to mean myself, "as
| desired to see him would call at his ofice''-
10 which | answered that thought my illness
and my circumstances constituted an extraordi-
nary case; but that | was sorry to have asked
anything which he felt called upon so CURLY
| to refuse, +" and requested to be informed what
hour would please him on the following day,
| and would do myself the honor to cali upon
him. Whereupon, the same unfortunate, we'll
meaning, ill-spelling young gentleman wrote to
me that "all such as desired might draw nigh
from nine until three
| went, accompanied by General Mercer, of
Savannah. Need say that General -
did himself justice, and verified my precon-
ceivea opinion of him in our interview, in which
he tod me he guessed [ could not telegraph
to Washington, write to the heads of depart
mems there, or to anybody, except through the
Provost Marshal Office - and that ] was per-
| mitted opay my expenses, but must remain
within the limits of Savannah.
| With many thanks for the large liberty ac-
corded so graciously, / bowed myself out, first
having declined to get soldiers rations by ap-
In this condition | remained for many weeks,
until fortunately for me- General Birge re-
lieved him-who had it not in his power, how
ever, to remove the restrictions any further
than to take the detectives away, Of whom
heard, but did not see. But General Birge
permitted me to write unrestrctedly to whom
pleased, and appeared anxious, in the true
spirit of gentleman, to offer all the courtesies
he consistently could.
My baby caught the whooping cough, and
was i'll almost unto death for some days with
the fever which precedes the cough, and then
she slowly declined. [ did what [ could to
give her fresh air, but the heat was so intense,
the insects so annoying, and two rooms such
close quarters, that she and / suffered much
more than / hope you or yours will ever know
by experience.
My most acute agony arose from the publica-
ton and republication in the Savannah Repub-
hcan of the shackling scene in Mr. Davis case
mate, which to think of stops my heart vibra-
ton. 1t was piteous to hear the little children
pray at their grace, shat the Lord would give
father something which he could eat, and keep
him strong, and bring him back to us with his
good senses, to his little children, for Christ s
sake; and nearly every day during the hardest,
bitterest Of his imprisonment our little child
Maggie had to quit the table to dry her tears
after this grace, which was of her own compo-
sition.
| believe, doctor, should have lost my senses
if these seventies had been persevered in, for
| could neither eat nor sleep for a week; but
opiates, and the information Of the change eff
fected by your advice, relieved me; and / have
thanked God nightly for your brave humanity.
1t is easier to fight with revolver than to re-
meled power in the full indulgence Of its cruel
instincts. All honour to the brave men who
fearlessly did So
Though ate, slept, and lived in my room,
rarely or never going out in the day, and only
walking out late at night with Robert for pro-
lection, could not keep my little ones so close
ly confined. Little Jeff and Billy went out on
the street to play, and there JEFF was constant
" told that he was rich; that his father had
''stolen eight millions, etc. Billy was taught
to sing, well hang jeff Davis on a sour ap-
pie tree by giving him reward when he did
so; and he made such good friends with the
soldiers that the poor child seemed to forget a
great deal of his regard for his father. The
little thing finally told me one day, You thinks
I'se somebody; so is you; SO is father, but you
is not; so is not any Of us, but me. am a
Yankee every time" The rough soldiers,
doubtless, meant to be kind, but such things
wound me to the quick. They took him off
| and made him snatch apples off the stalls if
Robert lost sight Of him for moment.
Finally, two women from Maine contemplated
| whipping him because they found cut that he
was bis fathers son; but "a man more wise
time to avoid a very painful scene to them as
well as to me. These things went On In the
street, refer only to the street teachings =
! though these women were, with one other dis
! honorable exceptions to the ladies in the house,
until Captain was ordered to Savannah
on duty. He brought with him person who
| heard was his wife. AS l never went into
the parlor did not see her, but my little son
jeff went accidentally into the room one day,
and Interrupted conversation she was lndul-
ging herself in with one Of the negro walters,
in which she was laying down s'the proper pol
icy to be pursued toward Mr.. Davis. y
The servant, having been brought up by a
lady, felt very uncomfortable, and said, Mad
am, there is his son" She called little Jeff up
to her and told him his father was "a rogue, a
| liar, an assassin, and that means a murderer,
boy; and [ hope he may be tied to a stake and
burned little bit at time with light
knots God forbid you should grow up COM
fort to your mother. Remember you can never
be gentleman while this country lasts. Your
father will soon be hanged but that death is
| too quick.
The negro retired, mortified and sent my
| liuISC W llCCiC ttAiu Will IttiC
face purple with modification, and wet with
tears from his streaming eyes, he came up to
me, leaving the pious and patriotic lady to find
another audience as congenial to her tastes as
the first had been.
commended jeff s gentemanly conduct in
making no reply; cautioned him against ever
prosecuting or distressing a woman or friend,
if it took that shape; made application for per
mission the next day to go away to Augusta
was refused, and then prepared the children to
go where they would not see such Indignantly
patriotic and prophetic females. Nothing,
however, but the dread of intruding into Sc
cret and sacred grief prevented my writing poor
Captain -- sympathetic note, to condole
with him upon the dispensation of Providence
under which, in the person Of his wife, he
groaned.
Hourly scenes of violence were going on in
the street, and not reported between the whites
and blacks, and [ felt that the childrens lives
were not safe. During General --'s regime