The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-06-28
are now in the possession of Major-Gen-
eral Miles, and will form an interesting

relic.
"This is too monstrous,' groa"cd the
prisoner, glaring hurriedly round the
room, as if for some weapon, or meaus oi
selfdestruction. Il demand, Captain.
that YOU let me see the commanding Off
Ger. Can he pretend that such shackles
are required to secure the safe custody OF
a weak old man, so guarded and in such
a fort as this 2" :.
ait could serve no purpose" replied
Captain Titlow; his orders are from
Washington, as mine are from him."
"But he can telegraph" interposed Mr..
Davis, eagerly; there must he some mis-
take. No such outrage as you threaten
me with is on record in the history OF
nations Beg him to telegraph, and de-
lay until he answers"
My orders are pcrcmptory," said the
officer, "and admit of no delay. For
your own sake, let me advise you to sub
nit with patience. AS soldier, Mr..
D:s is, you know must execute orders. "
"These are not orders for q soldier
shouted the prisoner, losing all control OF
himself "They are orders for jailer-
for hangman, which no soldier wearing
sword should acccptl 1 tell you the
world will ring with this disgrace. The
war is over; the South is conquered; l
have no longer any country but America.
and it is tor the honor of America, as for
my own honor and life, that l plead
against this degradation. Kill me! Kill
me F" he cried, passionately, throwing his
arms wide open and exposing his breast.
rather than infct on me, this insult
worse than DEATH
"Do your duty, blacksmith" said the
officer, walking towards the embrasurc as
if not caring to witness the performance.
% 1t only gives increased pain on all sides
to protract this interview"
At these words the blacksmith ad-
vanced 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 brawny mechanic
made an attempt to slip one of the shacklcs
over the ankle so raised; but as if with
the vehcmcncc and strength which frenzy
can impart, even TO the weakest invalid,
Mr.. Davis suddenly seized his assaiant
and hurled him halfway across the room:
On this Captain Titlow turned, and
seeing that Davis had backed against the
wall tor further resistance, began to re-
monsirate, 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. "to
add the further ndignity of personal vio-
lence to the necessity of your being
ironed."
81 am prisoner OF war;" fercely re-
torted Davis: +" ! have been q soldier in
the armies Of America, and know how to
die. Only kill me, and my last breath
shall be blessing on your head. But
while have life and strength to resist,
for myself and for my people, this thing
shall not be done"
Hereupon Captain Titlow called in 4
sergeant ard file of soldiers from the
next room, and the sergeant advanced to
seize the prisoner. Immediately Mr..
Davis flew on him, seized his musket and
attempted to wrench it from his grasp.
OF course such scene could have but
one issue. There was short, passionate
scutlic. In moment Davis was Hung
upon his bed and before his four power
full 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.
This done, Mr.. Davis lay for moment
as if in a stupor. Then slowly raising
himself aud 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
propping his face into his hands, he burst
into a passionate flood of sobbing, rock
ing to and fro and muttering at brief in
tervals, "Oh, the shame. the shamc!"
1t may here be stated, though out OF
it's due order-that we may get rid in
haste of an unpleasant subject-that Mr..
Davis some two months later, when fre-
ouent visits had name him moro free OF
converse, gave me q curious explanation
of the last feature Of this incident.
He had been speaking of suicide, and
denouncing it as the worst form of cow
ardice and folly. "L!fc is not like COM
mission that we can resign when dis
rusted with the service Taking it by
Your own hand is u confession of judg-
mcnt to all that your worst enemies can
allege. 1t has often flashed across me as
tempting remedy for neuralgia torture ;
but, thank God, | never sought my own
death but once, and then when complete
ly frenzied and not master Of my actions.
When they came to iron nc that day, as
q last resource of desperation. seized a
soldiers musket and attempted to wrench
it from his grasp, hoping That in the
scuhle and surprise some one OF his COM
rades would shoot or bayonct me-"
At the present term Of the United
States District Court tor North Mlssls-
s;nn; Of Ovfnrd Judre Hill presiding, the