Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-06-28
Prison Life of Mr.. Davis.

Lleutenant.Col0nel John L. craven, NJ.
D., late United States Surgeon, and, for
many months, physician to Jefferson Davis,
has just issued volume, in New York,
which will be greedily sought after and
read with interest in every section Of the
country The New York World, of Satur-
day, makes copious extracts from this vol,
ume, covering fifteen columns of that jour-
nal. We give our readers, to-day, the
authors official account as to how Mr..
Davis was put in irons:
"Well?" said Mr.. Davis, as they entered,
slightly raising his head.
81 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 his recumbent
attitude, flush passing over his face for a
moment, and then his countenance growing
livid and rigid as death.
he gasped for breath, clutchiug his
throat With the thin fingers of his right
hand, and then, recovering himself slowly,
while his wasted figure lowered up to its
full height-now appearing to swell with
indignation, and then to shrink with terror,
as be glanced from the captains face to
the shackles-he said, slowly and with a
laboring chest
"My God you cannot have been sent to
iron me-"
"Such are my orders, sir" replied the
officer, beckoning the blacksmith to ap.
proach, who stepped forward, unlocking
the paddock and preparing the fetters to do
their Office. These fetters were of heavy
iron, probably 6ve.eighths of an inch in
thickness, and connected together by a
chain of like weight. I believe they are
now in the possession of Major General
Miles, and will form an interesting relic.
"This is too monstrous," groaned the
prisoner, glaring hurriedly around the room,
as if for some weapon or means or self.de-
struction. 81 demand, Captain, that you
let me see the commanding officer. Can he
pretend that such shackles are required
to secure the safe custody of weak old
man, so guarded, and in such fort as
this?"
"It could serve no purpose" replied
Captain Titlow; "his orders are from
Washington, as mine are from him"
"But he can telegraph" interposed Mr..
Davis, eagerly; "there must be some mis-
take. No such outrage as you threaten me
with is on record in the history of nations.
Beg him to telegraph, and delay unit! he
answers"
"My orders are peremptory," said the
officer, "and admit of no delay. For your
own sake, lot me advise you to submit with
patience. AS o soldier, Mr.. Davis, you
know must execute orders.
"These are not orders for a soldier"
shouted the prisoner, losing all control of
himself. "They are orders for jailor-
for hangman, which no soldier wearing a
sword should accept l tell you, the world
will ring with this disgrace. The war is
over; the South is conquered; 1 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 me" he cried
passionately, throwing his arms wide open
and exposing his breast, ''rather than iuAict
on me, and on my people through me, this
insult worse than DEATH"
"Do your duty, blacksmith" said the
officer, walking toward the embrasure, as if
! mot caring to witness the performance. HIt