The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-06-21
~ : Prison LSfe OF Hfrs Davis. -
We subjoin another chapter from
I1r- Crava,.sa vs,fup,a. -y~sSs

AT. CfayeuS VOtume: .rs 10 = -
/ = THE ToRT1RE OF THE PRISONER
Happening to notice that his coffee
stood cold and apparently untasted
beside his bed, in his tin cup, I re-
marked that here was q contradiction
/ in the assertion implied in. the old
army question, t'who ever saw cold
coffee in q tin cup?" referring to the
eagerness with which soldiers Of all
classes, when campaigning, seek for
and use this beverage
''I cannot drink it." he remarked,
'ssthough fond OF coffee ali my life.
It is the poorest article of the sort I
have ever tasted; and if your Go
vernment pays for such stuff as coffee,
the purchasing quartermaster must
be getting rich, It surprises me, too,
for I thought your soldiers must have
the best many of my generals COM.
planning Of the difficulties they EN-
conntered in seeking to prevent our
people from making voluntary trlces
! with your soldiers, whenever the lines
ran near each other, for the purpose
of exchanging the tobacco we had in
abundance against your coffee and
sugar"
Told him to spend as little time in
bed rs he could; that exercise was the
best medicine for dvspeptic patients
To this he answered by uncovering
the blankets from his feet and show
ing ME his shacAed ankles.
lit is impossible for me, doctor; +
cannot even stand erect. These
shackles are very heavy; l know not,
with the chain, how many pounds. If
try to move, they trip me, and have
already abraded broad patches, of
skin from the parts they touch. Can
you devise no means to pad OF cushion
them, so that, when 1 try to drag
them along, they may not chafe me
SO intolerably? My limbs have so
little flesh on them, and that so weak,
as to be easily lacerated
At sight Of this, I turned away,
promising to see what could be done
as exercise was the chief medical ne
cessity in his case; and, at this mo-
ment, the first thrill of sympathy for
nay patient was experienced
That afternoon, at an interview
sought with Maj General Miles, nv
opinion was given, that the physical
condition of State prisoner Davis re-
quired the removal of his shackles
until such time as his health should
be established on some firmer basis.
Exercise he absolutely needed, and,
also, some alienation Of his abnor-
NAL nervous excitement. No drugs
could aid digestion naturally weak,
and SO impaired, without exercise;
nor could anything in the pharmaco-
pnia quiet nerves so overwrought and
shattered, while the continuation of
the irritation Of the fetters was coun-
terpoising whatever medicines might
be given.
''You believe it, then, a medical
necessity" queried General Miles.
81 do, most earnestly"
''Then l will give the matter atten-
tion; and at this point, for the pre-
sent, the affair ended.
May 2G.-Called with the officer of
the day, Capt. James b. King, at |
p. m. Found Mr.. Davis in bed,
complaining of intense debility, bnt
could not point to any particular
complaint. The pain in his head had
left him last night, but had been
brought back this forenoon, and ay-
gravated by the noise Of mechanics
employed in taking down the wooden
doors between his cell and the extc-
rior guard-room, and replacing these
with iron gratings, so that he could,
at all times, be seen by the sentries
in the outside room, as well rs by the
two ''silent friends who We're the
unspeakinS companions of his soli-
tude
Noticed that the prisoners dinner
lay untouched on it's tin plate near
his bedside, his meals being brought
in by Il silent soldier, who placed
food on his table and then withdrew.
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, I called on Gen.
Miles, and recommended that ! be
allowed to place the prisoner on
diet corresponding with his condi-
ton, which required light and nutri-
tious food. Consent was immediately
given, and | had prepared and sent
over from my quarters some tea and
toast for his evening meal
Calling about p m, found Mr..
Davis greatly improved, the tea and
toast having given him, he said, new
life. Though he had not complained
of the fare, he was very thankful for