The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-06-30

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,a., HOW MIR. DAVIS WAS PUT IN IRONS.
On the morning of the 23d of May,
Jefferson Davis was shackled.
Captain jerome E. Titlow, of the 3d
Pennsylvania Artillery, entered the
prisoners cell, followed by the black
Smith Of the fort and his assistant, the
latter carrying in his hand some heavy
and harshly -rattling shackles. AS
they entered, Mr.. Davis was reclining
on his bed feverish and weary after
9sleepless night. the food placed near
him the preceding day still lying nm
touched on its tin plate near his bed
side. H.a ,-'," !.-. ..,
% "Nell?' said Mr. Davis as they en-
! tered, Slightly raising his head
81 have an unpleasant duty to per
form, sir" said Captain Titlow; and,
sas he spoke, the senior, blacksmith
took the shackles from his assistant.
Davis leaped instantly from his re-
,cumbent attitude, II flush passing over
his face for moment, and then his
,countenance growing livid and rigid
as death ..
:, He gasped for breath, clutching his
throat with the thin fingers ofhs right
hand, and then recovering himself
slowly, while his wasted figure lowered
UP to its full hcight--now appearing to
swell with Indignation and then to
shrink with terror, as he glanced from
the captains face to the shackles-hc
sail slowly, and with laboring chest !:
MY God! you cannot have been
sent to iron me ~
"Such Gre my orders, sir" replied
the officer, reckoning the blacksmith to
approach, who stepped forward, un-
locking the paddock and preparing the
fetters to do their office. These fet-
tiers were of heavy iron, probably five
cighths of an inch in thickness, and
connected together by q chain of like
weight. ! believe they are now in the
possession of Major General Miles,
and will form an interesting relic.
" This is too monstrous," groaned
the prisoner, glaring hurriedly round
the room, as if for some weapon, or
means of fselfdcstruction. 81 demand,
Captain, that you let me see the com
manding officer. Can he pretend that
such sllacklcs are required to secure the
safe custody of weak old man, so
guarded, and in such fort as this =
at could serve no purpose replied
Captain Titlow; "his orders are from
Washington, as mine are from him."
"But he can telegraph" interposed
Mr.. Davis, eagerly; "there must be
mistake. No such outrage as you
threaten me with, is on record in the
history Of nations. Beg him to tele-
graph, and delay until he answers"
my orders are peremptory,' said
the officer, "and admit OF no delay
For your own sake, let me advise you
to submit with patience. AS a soldier
Mr. Davis, you know | must execute
orders
These are not orders for soldier,
shouted the prisoner, losing all control
of himself "They are orders for a
iailor--for a hangman, which no sol.
der wearing sword should accept!
tell YOU the world will ring with this
disgrace. The war is over; the South
is conquered; l have no longer any
country but America, and it is for the
honor of America, as for my own hon
or and life, that ! plead against this
DEGRADATION. Kill me! kill mel" he
cried, passionately, throwing his arms
wide open and exposing his breast,
"rather than inhict on me, and on my
people through me, this insult worse
than death"
do your duty, blacksmith" said the
officer, walking towards the embrasure
as if not caring to witness the perfor-
nance. ut only gives increased pain
on all sides to protract this interview.
At these words the blacksmith ad'
vanced with the shackles, and seeing
that the prisoner had one foot upon the
chair near his bedside, his right hand
resting on the back Of it, the hrawny
mechanic made an attempt to slip one
of the shackles over the ankle Sc
raised; but, as if with tbs vehemence
and strength which frenzy can impar1
even to the weakest invalid, Mr.. Davis
suddenly seized his assailant and hurled
him half fway across the room.
On this Capt. Titlow 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 be en-.
forced, at any cost. "Why cOmpe
me-. he said, Ito add the further in
dignity of personal violence to the ne
cessity of your being ironedY"
II am prisoner of war" fiercely re-
torted Davis; II have been soldier
in the armies of America. and know
how to die. Only kill me, and my last
breath shall be blessing on YOU
head. But while / have life and
strength to resist, for myself and fol
my people, this thing shall not b'
done"
Hereupon Capt Titlow called in I
seargeant and file of soldiers from tn
next room, and the sergeant advanced
to seize the prisoner. Immediately
Mr.. Davis few on him, seized bis mus
ket, and attempted to wrench it from
his grasp. ..
or course such 0 scene could no
have but one issue. There was short
passionate scufile. In moment Davi
was thrown upon his bed, and befor
his four powerful assailants iemoves
their hands from him, the b!acxsmitl