The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-07-07

Inc Il HaGI0ual- disgrace Ell. DAVIS put
In Irons in May, 1865-Extract from
the Diary Of the geon-SeWard
and Stanton disgrace American
Invalid IN Irons.
On the morning Of the 23d Of May, a yet
bitterer trial was IN store for the proud spirit
IA trial seTerer, probably, than has ever in
modern times been inflicted upon any one
who had enjoyed such eminence This NOR
ming jefferson Davis was shackled.
Ii was while all the swarming camps Of
the armies of the Potomac, the Tennessee
and Georgia-over 100000 bronzed and lau-
relied yeterans-wer preparing for the grand
review of the next morning, In which, pas
sing In endless succession before the man
sion of the President, the conquering power
of the nation was to lay down its arms at
the feet of the civil authority that the fol-
lowing scene was enacted at Fort Monroe
Captain Jerome E. Etlow, of the third
Pennsylvania Artillery, entered the prisoner s
cell, followed by the blacksmith of the fort
and his assistant, the latter carrying In his
hand some heavy and harshly rattling shack
les. As they entered Mr. Davis was re-
clining on his bed, feverish and weary after
a sleepless night, the food placed near him
the preceding day still lying untouched on
its tin plate near the bedside.
Well! said Mr. Davis as they entered
slightly raising his head
" l have an unpleasant duty to perform,
sir, said Captain Titlow; and as he spoke
the senior blacksmith took the shackles from
his assistant
Davis leaped instantly from the recumbent
attitude, Il flush passed over his face for q
moment, and then his countenance growing
livid and rigid as death.
He gasped for breath, clutching his throat
with the fingers of his right hand, and then
I,
figure lowered up to its full height-now ap-
pearing to swell with indignation and then
to shrink with terror, as he glanced from the
Captains face to the shaczles--he said
slowly and with a labOring chest:
"My God You cannot have been sent to
iron me?'
"Suoh are my orders, sir, replied the
officer beckoning the blacksmith to approach,
who stepped forward unlocking the paddock
and preparing the fetters to do their duty
These fetters were Of heavy iron, probably
five-eighths Of an inch in thickness, and con
nected together by chain of like weight
believe they are now IN the possession of
MaiorGeneral Miles, and viii form an in
teresting relic.
This is too mOnstrous, gTOaned the pris-
oneT, glaring huTriedly around the room as
If for some weapon or means of selfdestruc-
ton. demand Captain, that you let me
see the commanding officer Can he pretend
that such shackles are required to secure the
safe custody Of n weak old man, so guarded,
and in such a fort as this p
G. 1t would serve no purpose replied Cap
tain Titlow 90 his orders are from Wash
ington. as mine are from him"
q But he can telegraph" interposed Mr..
Davis there must be some mistake No
such outrage as you threaten me with is on
record in the history Of nations. Beg him
to telegraph, and delay until he answers.
Ny 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 q soldier" shout
| ed the prisoner, losing all control of him
/ self "They are orders for jailor- for a
! hangman, which no soldier wearing n 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 honor and life,
| that | plead against this degradation. Kill
me ! kill" he cried passionately, throwing
! his arms wide open and exposing his breast
| rather than infict on me- and on my people
| through me, this insult worse than death. "
Do your duty, blacksmith" said the Of
/
not caring to witness the performance. Ii
only gives increased pain on ali sides to pro
tract this interview"
| At these words the blacksmith advanced
with the shackles, and seeing that the pris
| oner had one foot upon the chair near his
! bedside, his right hand resting on the back
| of it, the bTawny mechanic made an attempt
to slip one Of the shackles over the ankle sc
raised; but as it, with the vehemence and
strength which frenzy can impart, even tC
! the weakest invalid Mr.. Davis suddenly
seized his assailant and hurled him halfway
! across the room.
On this Captain TitlOw turned and seeing
! that Davis had backed against the wall fol
] further resistance, began to demonstrate
/ pointing out in brief, clear language that this
| course was madness, and that orders must
be enforced at any cost. ''Why compel me, .
he said, to add the further indignity Of
! personal violence to the necessity of your
! being irOned p
/ am prisoner of war, fercely retorted
! Davis; Z" have been a soldier In the armies
of America, and know how to die. Only xii
me and my last breath VIII be a blessing
upon your head But while | have life anC
| strength to resist, for myself and for my peo
pie, this thing shall not be done"
/ HereupOn Captain Titlow called in a ser
| geant and file of soldiers from the next room
! and the sergeant advanced to seize the pris
oner. Immediately Mr.. Davis few on him
seized his musket, and attempted to wrench
it from his grasp.
Of course such a scene could have but one
issue There was a short passionate scUfile
In moment Davis was flung upon his bed
and before his four powerful assailants re
moved their hands from him, the blacksmith
and his assistant had done their worz-On,
securing the rivet on the right ankle, while
the other turned the key on the paddock OF
the left. This done, bIr Davis lay for a mo
ment as in stupor Then slowly raisin,
himself and turning round, he dropped hi
shackled feet to the floor The harsh clanl
Of the striking chain seems first to have re
called him to bis situation, and dropping hi
face into his hands, he burst into passion
ate food of sobbing, rocking to and fro, ant
mutteriDg at brief intervals: % Oh, the shame
the shame !" 1t may here be stated, thougl
out of its due order-that we may get rid II
haste of an unpleasant subject-that Mr.
Davis some two months later, when frequen
visits had made him more free of converse
gave me a curious explanation Of the las
feature Of this incident He had been speak