Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-04
he was now much calmer, feverish symp

his mind becoming moreresigned to his con
dition. Complained that the foot. falls of th
two sentries within his chamber made it diff
cult for him to collect his thoughts; but ad
ded cheerfully that, with this-touching hi
pipe-he hoped to become tranquil.
This pipe, by the way, was large and hand
some one, made of meerschaum, with an am
ber mouth-piece, showing by its color that j
had seen "active service for some time-a
indeed was the case, having been his compan
ion during the stormiest years of mis- late titu
lar Presidency. 1t is nowin the writer's pos
session, having been given to him by Mr.
Davis, and its acceptance insisted upon q!
the only thing he had leftto offer.
THE TORTURE OF THE PRISONER.
Happening to notice that his coffee stood
cold and apparently untasted beside his bee
in its tin cup, remarkedthathere was con.
tradiction of the assertion implied in the old
army question, "Who ever saw cold coffee
in q tin cup ?" referring to the eagerness with
which soldiers of all classes, when campaign
ing, seek for and use this beverage.
II cannot drink it" heremarked, "though
found of coffee all my life. 1t is the poorest
article of the sort have ever tasted and il
your government pays orisuch stuff as coffee,
the purchasing quartcr-master must be get
ting rich. 1t surprises me, too, for thought
your soldiers must have the best-many OF
my Generals complainipgof the. difficulties
they encountered in seeking to prevent our
people from making volahteer truees with
your soldiers whenever tie lines ran near
each other, for the parp6se of exchanging
the tobacco we had in abundance against
your coffee and sugar" 4
Told him to spend as little time in bed as
he could; that exercise WAS the best medi-
cine for dyspeptic patients. To this he an
swered by uncovering the blankets from his
feet and showing me his shackled ankles.
at is impossible for me, Doctor l cannot
even stand erect. These shackles are very
heavy l know not, with the chain, how many
pounds IT, tryto move they trip me, and
have already abraded broad patches of skin
from the parts they touch. Can you devise
no means to pad or cushion them, so that
when | try to drag them. along theT may not
chaie me so intolerably?, My limbs have SO
little flesh on them, and that so weak. as to
be easily lacerated."
At sight of this l turned away, promising
to see wha could be done, as exercise was
the chief medical necessity in his case; and
at this moment the first thrill of sympathy
for my patient was experienced.
At an interview sought with Major General
Miles, my opinion was given that the physi-
cal condition of State prisoner Davis required
the removal of his shackles, until such time
as his health should be established on some
firm basis Exercise he absolutely needed,
and also some alienation Of his abnormal
nervous excitement. No drugs could aid a
digestion naturally aceak and so impaired.
pithout exercise; nor could anything IN tie
phaymacopuia quiet nerves so orcrprought
and sAal.e.ta while the continual irritation Of
lie tette,s ras couuterlsostng aohatercr medi-
cines might be giren. -.
"You beieveit then, medical necesstyF'
queried General Miles.
l do most earnestly"
"Thcn will give the matter attention s
and at this point for the present the affair
ended.
Aly 2GM.-Called with the officer of the
day Captain James 3. King, at l p. M.
Found Mr.. Davis in bed, complaining of in
tense debility, but could not point to any
particular complaint. The pain in his hcad
had left him last night, but had been brought
back this afternoon ard aggravated by the
noise CT mechanics employed in taking down
the wooden doors between bis cell and the
exterior guard room and replacing these lrM
iron gratings, 50 that lie could at all times Je
seen Jy the stntriss ii, Tie outside room as aceli
as dg f'co "silem friends" Tho 'rere tie IN
spcal.ing companions cf his solitude
Noticed that the prisoners dinner lay I'M
touched on liz lin plate near his bedside, his
meals being brought in by a silent soldier,
who placed food On his table aud then with,
drew. Had remarked before that he scarcely
touched the food served TO him, his appetite
being feeble at best, and his digestion out Of
order.
Quitting him, called on General Miles, and
recomn. n.cnded that | be allowed to place the
prisoner on diet corresponding with bis con
ddi,ion, which required light and nutritious
food. Consent was Immediately given, and-I
had prepared and sent over from my quarters
some tea and toast for his evenings meal.
Calling about I, p. M, found Mr.. Davis
greatly improved, the tea and toast baving
given him. he said, new life. Though he had
not complained of the fare, Tho was very
thankful for the change.
He then commenced talking, and let me
here say that encouraged him in this, be-
lieyipg conversation and some human SYM
pathy the best medicines that could be givea
10 one in lis statc-on the subject OF the
weather.
How has the weather been-rough or fair? !?
In this huge easement, end unable to crawl
to the embrasure, he could not tell whether
the weather was rough or smooth, nor how
the wind was blowing.
"All my family are at sea, you are aware,
on their way to Savannah; and I know the
dangers of going down the coast at this sea
son OF the year too well to be without intense
alarm. MY wife and four children, with
other relatives, are on board the Clyde, and
these propellers roll dreadfGlly and arc poor
sea,boats in rough weather"
lie then explained with great clearncss of
detail, and evidently having yudicd the sub
ject, why the dangers OF going down the
coast in rough weather were SO much greater
than coming north. Going down, ships had
to hug the shore-often running dangerously
near the treacherous horrors of Cape Hat
teras; while, in running north, they stood
ont from land 10 catch the favoring gulf
stream, to avoid which they bad to run in
shore as close as they could when steering
south.
no appeared intensely anxious on the sub,
iect. recurring to it frequently, and specula-
tin ting on the probable position Of the Clyde at
this time. SHOULD she be lost" lie remarked,
"it will be : all my pretty chickens and their
dam at one fell swoop, it will be the oblitera.
tiQn of my name and house..
aMrs. Davis, too" he continued "h has much
tn contend with. Her sister las been very
i'll and her two nurses left her while here,
and she could procure no others. My only
consolation is, that some OF my paroled peo-
ple are on board, and soldiers make excellent
- co,d;aro are fond of cbildran Par.