Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-06-26
GFrolu DR.. cravon's !
GFrOm DR.. cravon's Book.l
The Prison Scene-The Manacles on
the Prisoner,

Oh the morning OF tile 23d of May a vet
bltterer trial was in store for the proud spirit
| Ia trial severer: probably, than has ever in
modern times been Inflicted upon any one
who had enjoyed such emlnence This morn
ing Jefferson Davis was shackled. 1t was
while all the swarming camps of the armies
of the Potomac, the Tennessee and Genrgia
over two hundred thousand bronzed and
laureled veter'ns-were preparing Tor the
grand review OF the next morning, in which
passing in endless succession before the
mansiUn of the President, the cOnuuerin"
military power of the nation was to Law down
its arms at the feet of the civil authority,
that the following scene was enacted ut
| Fortress Monroe.
CAPT. jerome E. Titlow, ofthe Sd Pennsyl-
vania artillery, entered the cell, followed by
the blacksmith of the fort aud his assistant.
the latter carrying in his hand the ratting
shackles. Mr.. Davis was reclining on his
bed, teverish aud weary after seepless night,
the food placed near to him the previous
day, still lying untouched on its tin plate
near his bedside. .Well?" said Mr. Davis
Slightly raising lis head.
81 have an important duty to perform sir"
said Capt Titluw, and as he spoke the senior
blacksmith took the shackles from his asss-
tant
Davis leaped instantly from his recumbent
attitude, u flush passing over his face mo-
ment. and then his cUuntenance grew livid
and ,i5 as death. He gu$ped for breath,
clutch.ug his throat with the thin fingers of
his right hand, aud then recovering hluself
slowly, while his wasted figure lowered up to
its full heIght-nOw appearing to swell with
Indignation and then to shrink with terror as
he glanced from the Captalns face to the
shackIes-he said slowly with u lubUrimg chest
nay God! You cannot lave beeI sent
to iron me?"
''Such are my orders, sir" replied the Off
Ger, bcckOuimg the blacksmith to approach
who stepped forward, unlocking the paddock
and preparing the letters to do their office
These letters were heavy iron, probably five
eighths OF AN inch in thickness. and connected
together by chain Of like weight
This is too INDUSTRIOUS" grOaned the prison
err, glarng hurriedly around the ROOM as if
for some weapon or means ofself destruction.
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 Il weak old man, SO guarded aud
i'll such Il fort as Ihis?"
'lt could serve no purpose" replied Capt
| TItlow; his orders are from Washington, as
mine are from him.
But he can telegraph" interposed Mr.
Davis engrrly; ''thcre must be some mistake
No such outrage us YOU threaten me with, is
record i'll ihe history Of nations Beg him
to telegraph and delay until he answers"
My orders are PeremtOry," said the officer
! land admit OF no delay. For your own sake,
let me advise you TO submit with patience.
As Il soldier, Mr.. Davis, you know L mutt
execute orders"
"TheSe are not orders for a soldier" shout
ed the prisoner losing all control of himself
They are orders for jailer-tOr u hangmau,
which no soldier wearing IL sword should ac-
| cept! tel! you the world will ring with
this disgrace. Ihe war is over; the South is
! conquered. have no longer any country
| but America, and it is for the honor OF
| America as t'r my own honor aud life, that
plcad against this depreciation. Kill me
i kill me-" he cried, passlUmately throwing his
rather than imtlIct on nIc and on my people
| through me, this insult worse than death"
do your du'y, blacksmith" said the
officer walking towards the em5rasure as if
not caring to witness the performance. cit
only gives Increased pain GU all sides to pro-
tract this interview
At these words the blacksmith advanced
with the shackles, and seeing that the pr,s
oner had one foot upon the chair near his
| bedside, his right hand resting on the back
Of it, the brawny mechanic made an attempt
| to slip one of the shnckles over the ankle SO
raised; but, as if with the vehemence and
strength which tr"nzy eau impart, even to
the weakest invalid, Mr.. Davis suddenly
seized his assaunt and hurled him half way
acreSs the room.
On this Captain Titlow turned, and seeing
that Davis had backed against the wall Tor
| further res!s tance, began to demonstrate,
! pointing out in brief, clear language, that
| this course madness, and that orders must
! be enforced ut amy cost '.Whv compel me- y"
! he said, Ito add the further indigmity of
personal violence to the necessity OF your
being irOned!"
II prisoner of war;" ferceiy retorted
Davis; IL have been soldier in the armies
of America, aud know how to die Only
Kill me, and my last breath shall be blessing
on your head. Bus while | have life and
strength to resist for myself and for nv
people, 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 prison
er. Immediately Mr.. Davis flew on him,
seized his nusket, and attempted to wrench
it from his grasp.
OF course such scene could have but
! one ISSUE There Il short, passionate
scuttie. In moment Davis was flung upon
his bed, aud before his four powerful usSaiIants
removed their hands from him, the black
smith and his assistant had done their work
one securing the rivet on the right ankle,
while the other turned the key in the paddock
on the left.
This done, Mr.. Davis lay for moment as
if in stupOr. Then slowly raising himself
and turning round, he dropped his shackled
feet to the floor. The harsh clank of the
stalking chain seemed first to have recalled
him to his situation, and dropping his face
into his hands, he burst into passionate
flood of sobhing rocking to and fro and nnnt.