The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-06-30
he Daily News.
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 80, 1866.
Placing MIR. Davis In Irons.

Placing MIR. Davis In Irons.
On tho: morning of tho 23d of May, II yet bit
erer trial was store for tho proud spirit-a
rial seyerer, PROBABLY than has over in modern
mes been inflicted upon any ono who had enjoyed
uch eminence This morning Jefferson Davis
was shacked.
It was while all tho swarming camps of the
armies of the Potomac, the Tennessee and Geor-
O gia-over two hundred thousand bronzod and
aureled veterans-were preparing for tho Grand
Revow of tho next morning. in which, passing in
endless succession before the mansion Of the
President tho conquerng military power of tho
nation was to lay down it's arms at the feet Of tho
oi vii authority, that the following scene enact
Captain Jerome L. Titlow, of the Sd Pennsylva-
nj Artillery entered the prisoners cell, followed
the blacksmith Of the fort and his assistant,
arshly-rattlng shackles. AS they entered, MIR.
D avis was reclining on his bed, feversh and
H oary after seopess night, the food placed near
him the preceding day stilllying untouched on
8 M tin plate LAT ne near r, his bedside,
~ have an unpleasant duty to perform, Sir"
said Captain Titlow; and as he spoke the senior
Davis leapod instantly from his reoumbent atti-
ude, flush passing over his face for moment,
and then his countenance growing as livid and
He gasped for breath, clutching his throat with
he thin fingers Of his right hand, and then re-
owered up to it's full heght-now appearing to
well with indignation and then to shrink With
error, as he glanced from the captains face to
he shackes-he said slowly and with laboring
''My God You cannot have been sent to iron
''Such are my orders, Sir" replied tho officer
beokoning the blacksmith to approach, who step
ped forward, unlocking the paddock and preparing
he fetters to do their Office. These fetters were
OF heavy iron, probably fve-eighths of an inch in
thickness, and connected together by chain Of
ike weight. I believe they are now in the posses
oro1 md Torr
It eresting relic.
"This is too monstrous," groaned the prisoner
Teapon,tor means of self destruction. II demand
Captain, that you let me see the commanding
ffoer. Can he pretend that such shackies are
man, 80 guarded and in such fort as this ~
1T would serve purpose" replied Captain
Titlow; "his orders are from Washington, as mine
"Bqt he can telegraph" interposed MIR. Davis,
agerly; there must be some mistake. No such
nd delay until he answers."
81. my ord orders arc peremptory" said the officer,
me advise you to submit with patience. As a
, Older, AIR. Davis, you know must execute or
"These are not orders for a soldier" shouted
he prisoner, losing all control Of himself ssThey
are orders for jaior-for hangman, which no
on the world will ring with this disgrace. The
war is over; the South is conquered; have no
onser any country but America, and it is for the
Nnont or America, as for my own honor and life
nat plead against this degradation. Kill me- /
KLINE !" he cried, passionatey, throwing his arms
wide open and exposing his breast, ssrather than
i nfiGt on me, and on my people through me, this
INSULT worse than death"
"Do your duty, blacksrsith," said the officer,
witness the performance 'sIt only gives increased
p ain on n all sides to protract this Interview"
It he shackies, and seeing that the prisoner had one
foot upon the chair near his bedside, his right
hand I resting on the back Of it, the brawny me-
over the ankle 30 rased but as If with the vehe-
mence and strength which frenzy can impart
even to the weakest invalid, Mr.. Davis suddenly
seized his assailant and hurled him half w.y
across the room.
On this Captain Titow turned and seeing that
Davis had backed against the wall for further re-
'sistance, began to remonstrate, pointing out in
brief, clear language that this course was mad
II ess, and nd that orders must be enforced at any
<urther indignity OF personal violence to the me-
essity of your being ironed2"
am m a prisoner OF war" fercely retorted
2OaVlsj Il have been O soldier in the armies of
Amerlca 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
d one" 1'o '"l '''t my w 10
Hereupon Captain Titlow called in sergeant
and file of soldiers from the next room, and the
rsergeant advanced to seze the prisoner Imme-
diately Mr.. Davis few on him, seized his musket,
and attempted to wrench it from his grasp. ' -
OF course such a scene could have but one ISSUE
There was short passionate scufhe. In mo-
ment Davis was flung upon his he'd and before
his four powerful assailants removed their hands
from him, the blacksmith and his assistant had
done their work-one securing the riyet On the
right ankle, while the other turned the kew i'm the
paddock on the left.
This done, Mr.. Davis lay for moment as if in
stupor. Then slowly raising himself and turning
round, he dropped his shackIed feet to the floor
The harsh ciapk Of the striking chain seems 6rst
to have recalled him to his situation and dron
ping his face into his hands, he burst into a pas
sionate flood Of sobbing, rocking to and fro and
muttering at brief intervals: "Oh, the shame, the
shameI" ~ '-.o
1t may here boi stated, though out Of it's dne
order-that We may get rid in haste of an nm
pleasant subject-that Mr.. Davis some months
Il ater, when frequent visits had made him more
free or converse gave me a curious explanation
OF the last feature in this incident
He had been speaking Of suicide and denounced
as the worst form Of cowardice and foIly. HIJfe
Il g not like commission that we can resign when
disgusted with the service Taking it bv yonr
own hand is confession of Judgment to all that
your worst enemies can alege. It has often fash
ed across me as q tempting remedy for nenralnio
torture; but thank God never sought INV nSvn
death but once, and then when completely fran
zied and not master Of my actions. When tbav
came to iron me that day, as q lapt resonrce ~
desperation, seized soldiers musket and at-
tempted to wrench 1t from his hands, hoping that
n the scufhe and surprise, Bome one of his com
.rades would shoot or bayonet me-" -
ONE FREEDMAN KILLS ANorHER-On snndon -
afternoon, about O'clock a nepro man An5say