Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-08-03

ton he pretends to give was derived from
the confidential and generally considered
sacred relation of physician and patient.
Having written book under these circum
stances, Mr.. Davis thinks he was doubly
bound to adhere strictly to truth. Gener-
ally, Mr.. Davis denies the accuracy Of ev-
cry reported conversation in the book. but
as throwing light upon his thoughts and
feelings, specify few of the points he
made.
He grew most indignant perhaps over
the fact that Craven puts into his mouth
on several occasions the expression, "Me
and my people," which he says he never
used at any time or upon Any occasion, The
form of words used when he had OCCASION
to refer to himself and the Southern peo-
pie being, ME and our people," 10 COM
menting upon this point, Davis remarked
that whatever he might have been, be
haG never been egotis,ical.
Mr.. Davis regulates in toto the Craven
account of the rnanacling scene, including
the mock heroic speeches Craven represents
to have been made on both sides. His ac-
count is to the effect that when the file Of
soldiers entered his room, and the sergeant;
had stated in few direct words the bust
ness upon which they had come, he (Davis)
quietly and briefly said he must resent it
to the extent Of his power as an insult to
me and our people, With the view only
of entering tais forcible protest, and with
no intent of engaging in childish strug-
gle with the soldiers, he struck at the man
nearest him, when toe soldiers brought their
arms promptly to the position of chalge
bayonets.' Sergeant---, however, in
slantly ordered, shoulder arms and had
the prisoner seized and placed upon the
bed. When there, Davis struggled for a
moment with the same intent, but for
moment, and then submitted without re-
mark 10 what lie knew he could not avoid.
The sergeant (who was the only officer
presently, Mr.. Davis says, performed his
duty as soldier would do, made no ex-
cpse for it, and did not plead orders. In
short, all the details of this scene in the
Craven book. including tie exclamation by
Mr.. Davis, On. the shame oh, the slamer
are upon the authority of the prisoner him.
self, merely 6gments of the Doctors imagi.
nation.
Mr. Davis is particularly indignant over
the fact that he is made to endorse Gener
al Hunter as a'Christian and patrio. : aud
he says, truly enough, that i. would have
been grotesqueIy inconsistent for him to
have done anything of the kind after hav.
ing, as President of the Conlederacy, put
Hunter under the bali as a robber. All
that be ever said to Craven on the subject
was, that Hunter was a fanatic, and he
gave as his reason for the opinion, that he
bad on two occasions, some years ag.:, at
tended Hunter in duel, and that both
times, when all was in readiness for the
word to be given, Hunter knelt down and
prayed, rising and firing at the word.
Dir. Davis said that be never uttered
word upon the question of reconstruction
until May last, Eve months after DR.. Ora.
yen had lett the fort. Then he did, at the
request of some of the officers of the fort,
express his views, and it is this convervation
that is attempted to be given in the book,
andis there represented as having been
held with DR.. Craven himself. With the
report made Of his remarks, Mr.. Davis does
not find much fault, except that when
speaking Of the folly Of requiring people
to take oaths, be illustrated it by saying
that when the Fugitive Slave Law was in
force, the New England members coming
to the bars of the Houses of Congress to
swear support to The Constitution and the
laws, always made q mental reservation
against the Fugitive Slave Law. This il.
Inssrstion, which be seems to- consider Of
great weight Is omitted: :
Upon one point Mr.. Davis riees to the
dignity Of justice, and puts TO the blush
those Of his selfconstituted advocates who
are continually loading General Miles With
t . most opprobiona epethets. Mr.. Da.
vis has none Of these for the MAD whom
fate has made bis jailor, but simply ssys
that to him General Miles is an enigma.
He says he knows Miles to be a brave msp
and . good 'soldier, and IS 10th 40 believe
that bis course toward him (DsvisJ. has
;has been pursued only the purpose Of
adding to his physieal ..discomfafts, OF Of
putting*indigaity upon him, and psofers TO
bslieye that the man whom he knowa to be-
, good soldier has pussued from q sense Of
duty. Further, Mr. Davis admits. shat