The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-20
JEFFERSON DAyIs,s PRISON
LIFE aH' sN 10" ~ -
DR.. Craven's Account OF His COndt-
dition and Conversations-The scene
of nis Shackeling-His Bad Health
and Sufferings-His views, &c.

There mas JUST uceu ptulouod Al A'0"
a curious and interesting work, entitled : PTS
on Life of jefferson Davis; embracing details
sndincidents in his captivity, particulars con-
osrpng his health and habits, together
with many conversations on topics OF great
nublic interest.-By Breyet Lieutenant Col.
lJohn j. Craven, NJ. D., late surgeon United
States volunteers, and physician OF the prison
or during his confinement in Fortress Monroe,
from May 25th, 1855, up to December 10Th,
1865" The book is filed with memoranda
which cannot but excite attention far and
wide, and though doubtless clap-trap and
o,alevoleut remark will be resorted to, in
nartisan spirit, TO break the force of many OF
the facts. vet it will be difficult to overcome
the impression which they must make upon
the instinct Of common humanity and ordl-
nary sense Of justice. ,a
The procession from the United States stea-
mer CLYDE into the fort, on the morning OF the
21st of May is described, with Major General
Halleck. Charles A. Dana, then Assistant
Secretary of War, aud Colonel Prltchard, Of
the Michigan cavalry, (who had made the
capture of Mr.. Daviss party,) with Colonel
Miles holding the arm of Mr.. Davis, always
thin and now haggard, dressed in a suit of
gray, Mr.. c. C. Clay following, amidst the
guard of soldiers, and through files Of ether
Soldiers. all the way into the casemate.a
When Mr. Davis was first placed in his
cell hs very naturally asked which way the
window OF the embrasure faced. But both of
the soldiers pacing up and down his cell were
silent: and repeating the question, the con-
tinued silence indicated their strict prohibi-
ton of all interchange of words with the pris-
oucr. Left thus, with a Bible and prayer
book, and the ordinary ratlons of beef and
bread, of which the sick man partook not,
tae first day and night were passed. Says
Dr. Craven: Yrt Tt1
On the morning of the 23d of May yet
bitterer trial was in store for the proud spir.
it-a trial severer, probably, than has ever in
modern times been inflicted upon any one
who had enjoyed such eminence. This morn
ing Jefferson Davis was shackled. 1t was
while all the swarmipg camps of the armies
of the Potomac, the Tennessee and Georgia
over two hundred thousand bronzed and lau-
relied veterans-were preparing for the grand
review of the next morning, in which, pass
ing in endless succession before the President,
the conquering military power of the nation
was to lay down its arms at the feet Of the
civil authority, that the following scene was
SuHCtSu III COItIeSS NlOuIOo.
Capt jerome 4. Titlow, Of the third Penn
sylvania artillery, entered the cell followed by
tue blacksmith Of the fort and his assistant,
the latter carrying in his hand the rafting
shackles. Mr. Davis was reclining on his
bed feverish and weary after asleepless night,
the food placed near to him the previous day,
tlllying untouched on its tin plate near his
bedside. "WellY' said Mr.. Davis, slightly
raising his head. & EF = :
81 have an important duty to perform,
sir" said Capt. Titlow, and as he spoke the
senior blacksmith took the shackles from his
assistant
Davis leaped instantly from his recumbent
attitude, a flush passing over his face for a
moment, and then his countenance grew
ivid and rigid as death. He gasped for
breath, clutching his throat with the thin
fingers of his right hand, and then recover
ing himself slowly, while lis wasted figure
lowered =, up to its full height, now
appearing to swell with Indignation and then
to shrink with terror. AS he glanced from the
captains face to the shackles he said slowly
with q laboring chest:
my God! You cannot have been sent tc
iron me7" 49, = q J
"Such are my orders, sir" replied the Off
Ger, bsckoning the blacksmith to approach
who stepped forward unlocked the paddock
and preparing the letters to do their Office
These letters were of heavy iron, probably
five Fights of an inch in thickness, and con.
nected together by q chain of like weight.
This is too monstrous," groaned the pris
oner, glaring hurriedly around the room, a.
II for some weapon or means of self-destruc
ton. II demand, Captain, that You let m,
see the commanding officer. Can he pretenc
that such shackles are required to secure the
safe custody Of weak old man, so guarded
and in such fort as this?"
1T could serve no purpose" replied Capt
1itlow; "his orders are from Washington, as
mine are from him. 8s f'o,J
But he can telegraph" interposed Mr.
Davis, eagerly "tbere must be some mistake
NO such outrage as you threaten me with is
on record in the history of nations Beg
MIN to telegraph, and delay until he an
swers.n t'&H - .foS - t5u b7awh4
my orders are peremptory," said the off.
cer, and admit of no delay. For your owl
sake, let me advise you to submit with patti
ence. AS a soldier, Mr. Davis, you know
must execute orders" ioArcg .yoJ
These are not ORDERS for soldier" shout.
sd the prisoner, losing all control of himself
1hey are orders for jailer-for a hangman
winch no soldier wearing sword should &C
sept tell you the world will ring viii
THIS disgrace. The war Is over; the South i.
conquered. have no longer any country
out America, and it is for the honor of Amerii-
ca, as for my OWE honor and life, that plead
against this degradation. Kill mel kill me-
ne cried, passionatsly, throwing his arms
WIDE open and exposing his breast, "rathel
'nan lnfict on me, and onmy people through
me, this insult worse than Death " Da&h'
DO your duty. blacksmith" said the off,
sef, walking toward, the enbrasure as If not
esring TO witness the performance. 1T only
t Slyes increased pain on all sides to prctrsci
tbs interview ns-o'' a32 ofGA 7' $500
A. these words the blacksmith advanced