Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-06-29
BY w. A. LEE AND HUGH WILSON.

while his wasted figure lowered up to its
full height-now appearing to swell with
Indignation, and men to shrink with ter
ror, as he glanced from the Captains face
to The shackles-he said slowly and with a
laboring chest:
My God you cannot have been sent to
iron mel
Such are my orders, SIR replied the
officer, beckoning the blacksmith to ap-
proach, who stepped forward, unlocking
the paddock, and preparing the letters to do
their Office. These letters were OF heavy
iron, probably five eighths of an inch in
thickness, and connected together by a
chain of like weight. I believe they are
now in the possession of Major Gen. Miles,
and will form an interesting relic.
This is too monstrous,' groaned the pris-
oner, glaring burriedly round the room,
as it Tor some weapon or means Of sell
destruction. 4 demand, Captain, that you
let me see the commanding officer. Can
be pretend that such shackes are required
10 secure the safe custody of weak old
man, so guarded and in such fort as
this 2
1T could serve no purpose replied Capt.
Titlow; 'his orders are from Washington,
as mine are from him.
But he can telegraph interposed Mr..
Davis, eagerly; there must be some mis-
take. No such outrage as you threaten
me with is on record i'll the history of ma
tions- Beg him to telegraph, aud delay
until he answers"
MY orders are poremptory,' said the
officer, 'and admit Of no delay. For your
own sake LET me advise you to submit with
patience. AS soldier, Mr.. Davis you
know muet execute orders.'
These are not orders fora soldier shout.
ed the prisoner, losing all control Of him.
self. They are orders for jalor-rqr
hangman, which no soljies wearing a
sword should accept I tell you the world
will ring with this disgrace. The war ia
over; the South is conquered; I have no
longer any country but America, and i. is
for the honor of America, as for my own
honor and life, that I plead against this
degradation. Kill me! kill me ! he cried,
passionately, throwing his arms wide open
and exposing his breast. rather than in
fict on me- and on my people through me,
this insult woree than DEATH
DO your duty, blacksmith said the of
fcer, walking toward the embrasure 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 advanced
with the shackles, and seeing that the pris
oner had one foot upon the chair near his
bedside, bis right hand resting on the back
OF it, the brawny mechanic made an at
tempt to slip one of the shackIes over the
ankle SO raised, but, as if with the vehe-
mence and strength which frenzy can i'm
part, even to the weakest invalid, Mr.. Davis
suddenly seized his assailant, apd hurled
him half way across the room.
On this Capt. Ti,low 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 De enforced at any cost. why cons
pei me- he said, TO add the further indig.
nifty of personal violence to the necessity
Of your being irored p
4 am prisoner of var ferceIy retorted
Davis; q have been a 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 Capt Ti.low called in SER
geant and a file of soldiers from the next
room, and the sergeant advanced to seize
the prisoner. immediately M. Davis few
on him, seized his musket aud attempted to
wrench it from bis grasp.
OF course such a scene could have bu.
one issue. There was short, passionate
soufie. In . momept Mr.. Davis was
flung upon. his bad, and before bis four
powerful assailants removed their bsads
from him the blacksmith. and his -sss:.sau.
had done their work--one securing the
nses on the right ankle, while s.be other
turned the Key ip the psdlosk on the left.
This done, MI. Davis yfay ior a momeu.
asif 10 stupor. Then a|eviiy riai..ips him.