Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-05
JEFFERSON DAVIS IN PRISON.
Further Extracts from the Diary Of thu
@naf az Post Surgeon. = t.ir

1lGt lA Post surgeon "
July 2Oth.-Callcd on Mr. Davis, Capt.
Korte, Sd Pennsylvania Artillery, being
officer of the day, and, of course, my
COMPANION. Was requested to call by
Major Gen. Miles, who had received re-
port that prisoner was seriously i'll, ID
Found Mr. Davis in very critical
state; his nervous debility extreme; his
mind more responding than ever hereto
fore; his appetite gone complexion
Hvid, and pulse denoting deep prostra-
ton af all the physical energies. Was
much alarmed, and realized with painful
anxiety the responsibility OF my posi-,
ton. If he were TO die in prison, and
without trial, the world would form un-
lust conclusions, but conclusions with
enough color to pass them to history: 1t
seemed to me, let me frankly confess,
due to the honor of America, and the
future glory of our struggle for national
existence, that this result should not
happen. :,
Mr. Davis asked me could nothing be
done to better his condition, or secure
him the justice of trial before death.
The effort of his people to establish
country had failed, and they had no
country now but America. 1t was for
the honor of America, not less than for
his own, and Tor justice to his cause ne
pleaded
Assured Mr.. Davis that no effort of
care or such skill as | possessed should
be wanting for his benefit Then com
menced conversation on various topics,
seeking to divert his mind from the at
Fiction preying on it Prisoner com
plained bitterly of the restrictions i'm
posed by Gen Miles on his correspon-
dence with his wife certain subjects,
and those perhaps of most interest, being
forbidden to both The convicts in State
prisons were allowed the liberty unlm-
peded, or only subject to the supervision
of the chaplain, whose supervision had
religious and kindly character-that OF
father confessor. His letters, on the con
Etrary. had to be sent open to Gen. Miles,
and from him, he understood, similarly
open to the Attorney General. What m
bosoming of confdence-mutual grIefs'
mutual hopes, the Interchange OF tender,
est sympathies-w possible, or would
be delicate under such a systemf DE
-psetuIed idle Young staff officers here, or
yet more pitiful clerks in law depart
,ments at Washington, grinning over
confessions Of pain, or terms OF endear-
ment he might be tempted to use; and
this thought embittered the pleasure this
correspondence might have otherwise
conferred. The relationship of husband
and wife was theinner vestibule Of the
'temple-the holy Of holies-in poor hu-
man life aud who could expose its Sc
erets, or lay his heart bare on his sleeve,
for sach DAVIS TO peck it2 Even crimi-
nails condemned to death for henons
crimes were allowed not only free cor
respondence with their wives, hut inter
views at which no jailer stood within
earshot. What possible public danger
could there be from allowing such letters
TO pass without scrutiny2 Time will set
ali these petty tyrsnnies in their trne
light. He that first pleadeth in his own
cause seems justified; but his neighbor
cometh and searcheth him. If the priv
lege were ever abused; if anything he
ever wrote to his wife were published to
the detriment of the Government, or
tending 10 disturb the peace, what easier
than 10 say, this privilege has been
abused and must cease. .-
Mr.. Davis said when he had last been
out on the ramparts he bad met Mr. 7.
c. Clay, similarly walking under guard.
Chg was looking wretchedly, and seeing
him made Mr. Davis realize more scutely
his humilisting position. Men at sea IN
ship never realize how forlorn and
fraif the vessel they are on board, until
their counterpart in some closely pass
ing vessel is brought under notice. Alb
sorbed in exercise and the emotions o
the scene, he had previously failed to ref