Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-04
custody ofa weak old man, so guarded and

Titlow; " his orders are from Washington
as mine are from him."
"But he can telegraph, "interposed Mr.. Da
Wis, eagerly there must be some mistake
No such outrage as you threaten me with il
on record in the history of nations. Bee
him to telegraph, and delay until he an
swers."
"My orders are peremptory," said the off
Ger, and admit Of no delay. For your OWL
sake, let me advise you to submit with pa
tience. AS a soldier, Mr.. Davis, you know
must execute orders"
"These are not orders for soldier, shout
ed the prisoner, losing all control of himself
They are orders for a jailor-for hang
man, which no soldier wearing asword should
accept ] tell you the world will ring with
this disgrace. The war is over; the South is
conquered; have no longer any country but
America, and it is for the honor of America,
as for nv own honor and life, that l plead
against this degradation. Kill me kill me p
he cried, passionately, throwing hisarm wide
open and exposing his breast, "rather than
inhict on my people through me, this insult
worse than DEATH"
"Do your duty, blacksmith" said the off,
Ger, walking towards the embrasure as if not
caring to witness the performance. "1t only
gives increasing pain on all sides to protract
this interview"
At these words the blacksmith advanced
with the shackles, and seeing that the prison
er had one foot uponthe chair near his side,
his right hand resting on the back of it, the
brawny mechanic made an attempt to slip one
of the shackles over the ankle SO raised but
as if with the vehemence and strength which
frenzy can impart, even to the weakest in
valid, Mr. Davis suddenly seized his assistant
and hurled him halfway across the room.
On this Captain Titlow turned, and seeing
that Davis had backed against the wall for
further 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, "to add the further indignity of per-
sonal violence to the necessity of your being
| roned ?"
clam prisoner of war;" Gerccly retorted
Davis 81 have been soldier in the armies
of America, and know how to die. Only Kill
me, and my las. 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 q SER
geant and file of soldiers from the next room.
and the sergeant advanced to seize the pris-
oner. Immediately Mr.. Davis flew on him,
seized his mlsket and attempted to wrench
it from his grasp.
Of course such scene could have but one
issue. There was Short passionate scuttte.
In moment Davis was flung upon his bed,
and before his four powerful assai!ants re.
moved 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 q moment as
ifin stupor. Then slowly raising himself
and turning round he dropped his shackled
feet to the floor. The harsh clengof the striking
chain seems first to have recalled him to his
situation, and dropping lis face into his
hands, he burst into passionate flood Of sob.
bing, rocking to and fro, and muttering al ill.,
tervals: ''Oh. the shame, the shame!E'
1t may be here stated, though out Of its
due order-that we may get rid in haste OF
an unpleasant subject-that Mr.. Davis. some
two months later, when frequent visits had
made :liin more free of converse, gave ME
curious explanation Of the last feature OF this
incident.
He had been speaking of suicide, and de-
nouncing it as the worst form of coward'ce
and folly. "Lfe is not like commission
that we can resign when disgusted with the
service Taking it by your own hand is n
confession ofjudgment to all that your worst
enemies can allrgc. 1t has often flashed
across me SIS tempting remedy for neuralgia
torture; but thanl; God | never sought Iny
own death but cnce, ard then when complete
" ircrZied and not master Of my actions.
When they came TO iron me that day, as a
last resource Of desperation. ] seized SOL
dicr's musket aud attempted to wrench it from
bis grasp, hoping that in the scuiilc and sur
prise some ore Of his comrades would shoot
and bayonet me-
On the morning CT May 9th, was sent
for about half-past a. NJ, by Major Gene
rel Miles; was tod that S!ate-prisoner Davis
complained Of being i'll, and that l had been
assigned as his medical attendant.
Calling upon the prisoner-thc first time
I had ever seen him closcly-hc presented q
very miserable aad affecting aspect. Stretch
ed upon. his pallet and very much emaciated.
Mr.. Davis appeared q mere fascine of raw
and iremulous nerves-hs eyes restless and
fcvered, his head continually shifting from
side to side for cool spot on the pillow, and
his case cleerly one in which intense cerebral
excitement was the first thing needing atten-
ton. He was extremely despondent, his
pulse full aud at ninety, tongue thickly coat.
ed, extremities cold, and his head troubled
with long-established neuralgia disorder.
Complained OF his thin camp mattress and
pillow stuffed with hair, adding, that he vas
SO euaciated that his skin chafed easily against
the Stats: and, as these complaints were we'll
founded ordered en- additional hes pitul mat
tress and softer pillow, for which lie thanked
me courteously.
"But fcar,n he said, as, having, prescrib-
ed, WIS about taking my leave, accompani
cd by Captain Evans, Third Pennsylvania Ar
tillery, who was officer Of the day 81 fear,
Doctor, you will have troublesome and un-
satisfactory patient. One whose case can re.
fleet on YOU little credit. There ere circum-
stances at work outside your art 20 counter
act your art; and suppose there must be
conflict between your feelings as soldier
of the Union and your duties as healer of
the sick"
This last was said with faint smile, and
tried to cheer him, assuring him, if he would
only keep quiet and endeavor to get some
rest and sleep, which my prescription was
mainly addressed TO obtain, that he would
be we'll in afew days. For the res::, of course
2 physician could have no feelings nor recog
nize any duties hut towards his patient.
Mr.. Davis turned to the officer Of the day,
and demanded whether he had been shackled
by special order Of the Secretary ci War, or
whether General Miles had considered this
violent course essential to his safe. keeping
The Captain replied that he knew nothing
Of the matter; and so our first interview