Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-04
ever could give his mind a moments repose


was in the line of his cure.
AS was leaving, he asked had been abl
to do nothing to pad or cushion his shackles
He could take no exercise, or but the feeblest
and with great pain, while they were on.
To this gave an evasivc answer, not know
ing what might be the action Of General Miles
and fearing to excite false hopes. No sucl
half way measures as padding would suffice
to meet the necessity of his case; while thei
adoption, OR suggestion, might defer the
broader remedy that was needed. On leav.
ing, he requested me in the morning to note
how the wind blew, and the prospects of the
weather, before paying him my visit. Unit
he heard of. his family's arrival in Savannah
he could know no peace.
May 27M.-Called in the morning with
theofficer of the day, Captain Titlow: Found
Mr.. Davis in bed, very weak and desponding.
He had not slept. Had been kept awake by
the heavy surg ing of the wind through the
big trees on the other side Of the moat. Ap.
peared much relieved when told him The
breeze was nothing like storm, though it
blew north-easterly, which was favorable to
the ship containing his family.
He expressed great concern lest his wife
should hear through newspapers of the scene
in his cell when he was ironed. Would it be
published, did think? And on nv remain
| ing 'silent-for knew it had been sent to the
newspapers on the afternoon of its transpi-
ring-he nterlaced his fingers across his eyes,
and CALCULATED, "Oh my poor wife, my poor,
poor girl! How the heart-rending narrative
will afflict herI
He remained silent for some moments as
sat beside his bed, and then continued, ex-
tending his hand that might feel his pulse ::
~ wish she could have been spared this
knowledge. There was no necessity for the
act. My physical condition rendered it OBJ
vious that there could be no idea that fettcrs
were neediul to the security of my imprison-
mept. twas Gear, therefore, that the object
was to offer an ndignity both to myself and
the cause l represented-not the less sacred
to mo because covered with the pail Of a
military disaster 1t was for this reason l
resisted as a duty to my faith, to my country.
men and to myself 1t was for this reason
courted death from the muskets of the guard.
The officer of the day prevented that result,
and, indeed" bcwing to Captain Titlow, " be-
haved like a man Of good feeling. But my
poor wife I can see the hideous announce
ment with its flaming capitals, and cannot but
anticipate how much her pride and love will
both be shocked. For myself I am resigned,
and row only say, The Lord reproYe them !
The physical Inconvenience of these things l
still feel (clankiag his ankles together slight.
" under the bed-clothes) but their sense OF
humiliation is gone. Patriots in all ages, to
whose memories shrines are now built, have
suffered as bad or worse indignities."
He thanked ne for the breakfast that had
been sent him, expressing the hope tsat |
would not let my wife be put to too much
trouble making broth and toast for one SO
helpless ard utterly wretched.
SUNDAY hay 23A.-At eleven, a. "a, this
morning, was sitting on the porch in front OF
my quarters when Captain Frederick Kortc,
Third Pennsylvania Artillery, who was officer
of the day, passed toward the cell OF the
prisoner, followed by the blacksmith. This
told the story, and sent pleasant profes-
sional thrill Of pride through my veins.
Did not let Mr.. Davis see me then, but re-
tired. thinking i; better the prisoner should
be left alone in the first moments OF regain
ine so much of lis personal freedom.
Called again at two, p. m., with the officer
of the day. Immediately on entering, Mr.
Davis rose from his seat, both bands extended,
and his eyes filled with tears. He was evi
IDENTIFY about 10 say something, but checked
himself; or Was checked by q rush OF emo
tons, an / sat down upon his bed.
| Congratulated him on the change, ohscrv
Ing that my promise OF his soon feeling bet
tcr was b.irr fulfilled, AID he must noY take
all the exercise that was possible Tor him, lor
on this his future health would depend. Cap
tain Kor.c, too, joined in my congratulations
yerv kindly. and spoke with thc>trank cour'
lesy or n gentleman and soldier.
Recurring to the subject OF hisfamily, Mr..
Davis asked INC lad | not-bcen called upon
to attend ,I;ss Howell, his wiic's sister, who
had been very Ill ct the time OF his Quitting
the CLYDE. Replied that Colonel James,
Chief Quartcrmastcr, had called at my quar-
ters. and requested me TO visit sick lady on
board that vessel believed it was the lady
he referred 10, but could mt be sure OF the
name. Had mentioned the matter to General
Nils, asking PASS to visit; but he Objected
o.rnn the order, were to allow no cominunl.
cation with the ship.
Mr.. Davis exclaimed this was inhumaa.
The ladies had certainly committed no crime,
and there we're 10 longer any prisoners on
board the ship when the request was made,
he and Mr.. Clay having been the last re,
moved. The lacy was very seriously i'll. and
no officer, no gentleman, no man Of Chris
tim or even hnnan feeling, would have so
acted. General Miles was from Massachu-
sctts, he had heard, and his action both in
this and other matters, appeared in harmony
with his origin. 1t was much for Massachu-
sotts TO boast that one Of her sons had been
appointed his iaior; and it was becoming
such an a jailor to cypress helpless women aud
children.
TO DE CONTINUED.