Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-06-26

tain Titlow: his orders are from Washington
as mine are from him." A.e ,.a3
But he can telegraph, " interposed Mr. Da-
Wis, 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 are peremptory,'' said the officer,
and admit of no delay. For your own sake let
me advise you to submit with patience. AS a
orders
These are not orders for soldier, shouted
the prisoner, losing all control of himself
They are orders for jailor-for a hangman-1
which no soldier wearing sword should ac-
cept! tell you the world will ring with this
disgrace. The war is over, the South is con-
quered 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 p he cried
passionately, throwing his arms wide open and
and on my people through me, this insult worse
than death. = Is
sDo your duty blacksmith, " said the officer.
walking towards the embrasure, as if not caring
to witness the Performance. 1T only gives in
creased pain on all sides to protract this inter-
view" rl-e.a .iaH M Il
At these words the blacksmith advanced with.
the shackles and seeing that the prisoner had
one foot upon the chair near his bedside, his
right hand resting on the back of it, the braw-
ny mechanic made an attempt to slip one of
the shackles over the ankle SO raised; but, as
if with the vehemence and strength which fren-
zy can impart, even to the weakest invalid, MIR.
Davis suddenly seized his assailant and hurled
him half way across the room.
On this Captain Titlow turned and seeing
that Davis had backed against the wall for fur
ther resistance began to demonstrate, pointing
out in brief, clear language, that this course
was Madness and that orders must be enforced
at any cost. "Why compel me, he said, ito
add the further indignity Of personal violence
to the necessity OF your being ironed?' sos
81 am prisoner Of war; fercey retorted
Mr. Davis; Il have been a soldier in the ar
mics OF America, and know how to die. Only
kill me, and my last breath shall be a blessing
on your head. But while | have life and
strength to resist, for myself and for my people,
this thing shall not be done e -,
Hereupon Captain Titlow called in sergeant
and file OF soldiers from the next room, and the
sergeant advanced to seize the prisoner I'm
mediately MIR. Davis flew on him, seized his
musket and attempted to wrench it from his
grasp . = bsa sss5 sts.se
Ofcourset such a scene could have but one
issue. There was a short passionate scuffie =
and before his four powerful assailants removed
their hands from him.. the blacksmith and his
assistant had done their work-one securing the
rivet ON the right ankle while the other turned
the key on the paddock on the left. SO
This done, Mr.. Davis lay for moment as if
in stupor. Then slowly raising himself and
turning round, he dropped his shackled feet to
the floor. The harsh clank Of the striking
chain seems first to have recalled him to his
situation, and dropping his face into his hands,
he burst into a passionate food of sobbing,
tervals: ''Oh, the shame, the shame !"
On the morning Of May 24th, | was sent for
about half past eight, A. NJ, by Major General
Miles, was told that State prisoner Davis COM
planned of being I'LL, and that | had been as
signed as his medical attendant.
Calling upon the prisoner-the first time [
had ever seen him closely-he presented very
miserable and affecting aspect. Stretched up
on his pallet and very much emaciated Mr.. Da-
Wis appeared mere fascne Of raw and tremu-
lous nerves-his eyes restless and fevered, his
head continually shifting from side to side for a
cool spot on the pillow, and his case clearly one
first thing needing attention. He was extreme
ly respondent his pulse full and at ninety,
tongue thickly coated, extremities cold, and his
head troubled with,a long established neuralgia
disorder Complained of his thin camp mat
tress and pillow stuffed with hair, adding, that
he was SO emaciated that his skin chafed easily
against the Stats.
II can see the hideous announcement with
it's flaming capitals, and cannot but anticipate
how much her pride and love will both be
shocked. For myself I am resigned, and now
only say, The Lord reprove them! 7! The
physical inconvenience of these things [ still
feel (canking his ankles together slightly under
the bed clothes, but their sense of humiliation
| is gone. Patriots in all ages, to whose memo
ries shrines are now built, have suffered as bad
or worse indignities:'' oc4 +.
Sand so, Doctor, he went on, you think
all the miserable details of my ironing have
been placed before the public? 1t is not only
for the hurt feelings of my wife and children,
| but for the honor of Americans that | regret
it. My efforts to conceal from my wife the
knowledge of my sufferings are unavaiing.'
HOW aR. DAVIS WAS TORTURED IN PRISON
THE DIARY OF THE POST SURGEON. Eea
I advised Mr. Davis to spend as little time in
bed as he could that exercise was the best
medicine for dyspeptic patients To this he
answered by uncoverlng the blankets from his
feet and showing me his shackled ankles.
1T is impossible for me, Doctor; cannot
even stand erect. These shackles are very
! HC1'y j., huOW IlUt, Will Cilc HOW many
/ pounds. If [ try to move they trip me, and
have already abraded broad patches of skin
from theparts they touch. Can you devise no
means to pad or cushion them, so that when |
| try to drag them along they may not chafe me
SO intolerably? My limbs have so little flesh
on them, and that so weak as to be easily lac
Grated sd3 20 81 io'7o'a
/ At sight Of this I turned away, promising to
see what could be done, as exercise was the
chief medical necessity in this case; and at this
moment the first thrill Of sympathy for my pa
tient was experienced .'
May 26.-Noticed that the prisoners, dinner
lay untouched on It's tin plate near his bedside,
his meals being brought in by a silent soldier,
who placed food on his table and then with
drew Had remarked before that he scarcely
touched the food served to him, his appetite
being feeble at best, and his digestion out of
order. ''1
May 27.-Called in the morning with the
officer Of the day, Captain Ttlow Found Mr..
Davis in bed very weak and lesnondino Ha