Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-06-21
JUNE 81, 1866

some rest and sleep, which my prescription
was mainly addressed to obtain, that he
would be well In few days. For the rest
of course a physician could have no ieel-
ings nor recognize any duties but toward
1 his patient.
Mr.. Davis turned to the officer Of the
day, and demanded whether he had been
| shackled by special order of the Secretary
of War, or whether General Miles had con-
sidered this violent course essential to his
safe Keeping? The Captain replied that he
| knew nothing of the matter; and 80 our
first interview ended. .f...... ...,r
On quitting Mr.. Davis, at once wrote to
Major Church, Assistant Adjutant General,
advising that the prisoner be allowed to-
| bacco-to the want of which, after life
time of use, he had referred as one of the
probable partial causes of his illness
though not complalningly, nor with any
request that it be given. This recOmmen-
dation was approved in the course Of the
day; and on calling in the evening brought
| tobacco with me, and Mr.. Davis filled his
pipe, which was the sole article he had car
ried with him from the Clyde, except the
clothes he then wore. .--. 2 f. -
"This Is noble medicine" he said, with
something as near a smile as was possible
| tor his haggard and shrunken features. II
| hardly expected it; did not ask for 1t,
though the deprivation has been severe.
During my confinement here shall ask for
| nothing"
| Hewas now much calmer, feverish symp-
toms steadily decreasing, pulse already
| down to seventy-five, his brain less excit-
able, and his mind becoming more resigned
to his condition. Complained that the foot
tails Of the two sentries within his chamber
made 1t difficult for him to collect his
thoughts; but added cheerfully that, with
this-touching his pipeThe hoped to be-
This pipe, by the way, was a large and
handsome one, made OF meersehRum, with
| an amber mouth piece, showing by its col
or, that 1t had seen "'actiVe service" for some
| time--as indeed was the case, having been
his companion during the stOrmiest years
| of his late titular Presidency. 1t Is now
in the writer's possession, having been CIV
en- to him by Mr.. Davis, and its acceptance
insisted upon as the only thing he had left
| to offer. .Hl
The Doctor called on the prisoner, on the
25th of May, and reports: ... ...
~ have poor, frail body" he said, "and
though In my youth and manhood, while
| soldering, have done some rough camp
ing and campaigning, there was flesh then
to cover my nerves and bones; and that
makes an important difference.
| AS to the effect of his chains:
Told him to spend as little time in bed as
he could; that exercise was the best medi-
cine tor dyspeptic patients. To this he an
swered by uncOvering the blankets from his
feet, and showing me his shackled ankles.
1T is impossible for me, Doctor; can
not even stand erect. These shackles are
very heavy; know not, with the chain,
how many pounds. If try to move they
trin mo on6 haua alraodu ahrodpd broad
patches of skin from the parts they touch.
Can you devise no means to pad or cushion
them, so that when | try to drag them
along they may not ehate me so intoler-
ably? My limbs have SO little flesh on them,
and that so weak, as to be easily lacerated."
At sight of this turned away, promis-
ing to see what could be done, as exercise
was the chief medical necessity in his case;
and at this moment the first thrill of sym
pathy for my patient was experienced.
The prisoner was deeply concerned about,
his wife and children on the way to Sa-
vannah. The Doctor says: .
He appeared intensely anxious on this
subject recurring to it frequently and spec
ulating on the probable position of the
Clyde at this time.
HShould she be lost" he remarked, ''it
will be ALI my pretty chickens and their
dam at one fell swoop.' 1t will be the OBJ
liberation of my name and house."
"Mrs. Davis, too," he continued, "has
much to contend with. Her sister has been
very i'll, and her two nurses left her while
here, and she could procure no Others. My
only consolation is, that some of my parol-
ed people are on board, and soldiers make
excellent nurses. Soldiers are fond of chill
dren." 'tt.
. He expressed great concern lest his wife
should hear through newspapers of the
scene in his cell when he was ironed.-
Would it be published, did think? And
on my remaining silent-for knew it had
been sent to the newspapers on the after
noon of its transpiring-h interlaced his
fingers across hiseyes, and calculated; "Oh,
my poor wife my poor, poor gill! How
the heart-rending narrative will afflict
herl" g,.t o.t 'n.s -r..tp
He remained silent for some moments as
l sat beside his bed and then continued,
extending his hand that might feel his
pulse: J
81 wish she could have been spared this
knowledge. There was no necessity for the
act. My physical condition rendered 1t OBJ
rvious that there could be no idea that fet-
ters were needful to the security of my i'm
prisonment. 1t was clear therefore, that
the object was to offer an indignity both to
myself and the cause l represented-not
the less sacred to ma booaieo covered With
the pail OF a military disaster. It was for
this reason resisted, as duty to my faith,
ito my countrymen, and to myself. 1t was
for this reason cOurted death from the
muskets of the guard. The officer of the
day prevented that result, and, indeed"-
bOwing to Captain TitlowAG"behaved like a
man of good feeling. But, my poor wife!
\ can see the hideous announcement, with
49, H.. ---