Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1866-06-29

1 resource OF desperation, / seized soldier s
nusket and attempted to wrench it f. ON
nis grasp, hoping taat in the scuf1e and
surprise, some OF his comrades woul d
shoot Or bayon me-: s@ IL. III s.if : 2
IN the, morning of May 24th. I was
sent tor about half-past 8 A. M. by Ma.
.:or General Miles; was told that State
prisoner Davis complained Of being IN.
ana that | had been assigned as his nnedi-
cal attendant. .. flr.~ -, :
Calling upon the prsoner--the first
1lme had ever seen him closely-he pre-
sented very miserable and affecting as
pect; Stretched upon his pallet and very
much .emacated Mr.. Davis appeared q
mere tasclne OF raw and tremulous nerves
|-ils eye restless and fevered, his head
continually shifting from side to side for q
cool spot on tie pillow, and his case clearly
zone III which intense eelebral excitement
was the first thing needing attention. He
vas extremely despondent, his pulse full
ana at ninety, tongue thickly coated, ex-
stremities cold, and his head troubled with
long established neuralgia disorder
Complained OF his thin camp mattress and
pillow stuffed with hair, adding, that he
was SO emaclated and his skin chafed easi
! ~ against the Stats; and, as these com
plants were well founded, I ordered al,
J additional hospital mattress and softer bill
low, for which he thanked me courteous
]y. ~ ,',s.,
"Bnt iear, he said, as, having prescrib-
ed, was about taking my leave, accom-
panied by Captain Evans, Third Pennsyl-
wanna Artillery, who was officer OF the
uay - Tear, Doctor, you viii. have a
tron bIesolne and unsatisfactory PATIENT
One whose case can reflect on You little
credit. There are circumstances at work
outslde your art to counteract your art :;
;'nd suppose there must be a conflict be-
tween your feelings as a soldier OF the I'm
ION and your duties as a healer Of the sick. .
Ibis last was said with a faint smile.
and t1ied to cheer him. assuring him. #
he would only keep quiet and endeavor
70 gel: some rest and sleep, which my pre-
scrlptlon was mainly addressed to obtain.
| that he wonld be we'll in a few days. For
the rest, OF course physician could have
no ieellngs nor recognize any duties but
towards his patient.
Mr. Davis turned to the officer of the
day, and demanded whether he had been
sbuckled by special order of the Secretary
ct War, or whether General Miles had
fconsidered this violent course essential To
his safe keeping? The Captain replied
that he knew nothing of the matter; and
SO our first Interview ended. ,e;ts, $50 y
I. On quitting Mir. Davis / at once wrote
Major Church. Assistant Adiutaut Gene.
raj, advising that the prisoner. be allowed
tobacco-to the want OF which, after a life
t'ne OF use, he had referred as one Of the
probab bic partial causes of lis Illness
though not comrlainingly, nor with any
request that it be giver. This recommon.
dat1oii was approved in the course of the
day; ard on calling in the evening brou ght
t"bacco with me, and Mr. Davis filled his
pipe, which WAS the sole article he had
Carried With him from the Clyde, except
the clothes he then wore. sas @ =
's1'his is noble medicine, ;, he said.
with something as near a smile as,was pos
+slhle for his haggggard and shrurk Ell feas
tules: 81 hardly expected it; did. not
ask for it, though the deprivation has
been severe. .sDuring n,y confinement
here Iisl,ail ask for l,othing'' ~ 3.A....' =
de was enowFsnnich 'calfner, feverisl1
symptoms steadily decreasing. pulse, al
ready downs to seventy five, lis brain less
excitable,, and his mind becoming more more
res gned Il to, his condition. aCompIained
that the foot Ia lis otatlie two sentries With
in his chamber.made it difficult for him II To 4
collect his tho.lghts ;abslt added cheertully
that, with this-touel,ing lis spipe4allie
Il Il lxx s #s zss