The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-09-19

ALADY's SKETcH or TINE Prison LIFE or Mn DAVIS.
The Abbeville g. O. Banner has been permitted to
make the following extracts from private letter which
gives some interesting information concerning the
president Of the late Confederate States:
" Ny friend, Mrs. b, (Mr Davis niecc) wrote me
she was going to fortress Monroe and invited me to
Join her Not receiving letter in time to meet her
we followed her to fortress Monroe and after some
little diplomacy got permission to enter, and spend the
day (the 18th Of july We had the happiness of sec
ing, listening to and dining with ilustrious presi-
dent-iIlustrous by his nsfortGncs, his talents his
high position and his many virtues which shine more
Respondent in this his day Of gloom. DR.. Cooper
Qke DR.. CrFTen) is enthusiastic in his praise of him
says that it is impossible to cntrap him into word
of bitterness or Impotence towards Ills enemies and
shows himself greater in his maEnanimY, his patience
and gcntleneSs hisawonleriul selEconro under petty
Sights and ndiguitics than in the days Of his power
in the Confedcracv. We saw him first walking feeb7
across the parade from his lookup to the cascmae,
where his wife lives The nurse and baby by his side,
his cmaciaed figure and tottcring step telling the tale
of hardshps and ill-treatment. Presently followed
him. aud not one Of us but that kissed the emacated
hands which be held ont to welcome us wetting them
with our tears lie talks 2heerfully, hut with difficult
~ his voice is weak and every hour they give him
tcaspoonlu Of brandy and he lies down often to
rest his back.
u could understand the temptation to DR.. Craven
to set down his conversation, SO wonderful is it. 50
pointed, strong and forcbc, every sentence 50
concentrated to seem the very essence Of wisdom.
| found out through Mrs. i. aud Dir. Cooper his opR-
ion Of Dr. Cravens bool; it is not reliable
9 He says lie il often msrcprcsentcd and oftener
misunderstood; not that he thinks DR.. Craven would
fasify wiully but COL Ialpne who wrote the book fer
Craven, has garbcd the conversation to suit his own
views and wishes. COL lIalpne was on Gen. Hunters
staff henc he makes Mr. Davis guilty Of the inconsi,
,ncy of saying Hunter was his model Of a sol iic'
Whereas Mr. Davis said in our presence, Hunter S
simply brute. In our earlier days we were much
associated, and thought him conscientious, though
fanatic but he is entirely changed since then
"Wbile Mr. Davis rested we were taken to bis apart
ments at Croll hall, which is precisely like the apart
ments occupied by lions and tigers in a mcnagerie
The back is closed and three sides OF iron bars and
great padlocks Before these bars three guards walk
gazing al him, walking, sleeping, washing dressing /;
not even curtain to protect him. At o'clock A. N.
he is let out, aud III sunset the trumpet sounds his
guard appears and he is locked in hs cage 4 bright
light from two lamps blaze in hi5 face, which, with
tho challenging Of the passersby and the changing Of
the sentinels every two hours eilcctuallY keep hiH
awake. He walks out on the ramparts from to G
Nj Mrs. Davis and =. supporting him. When the Sig
nal sounds for the lookup, and tile guard appears, he
says a word, but turns ON his companions With
a look of so much agony, mingled with 1ortituIe rs
is heartrcnding to witness
The most touching sight ever witnessed was to
see him lit his cmaciatcd hands and say grace thank
ing God for his mercics'