The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1866-07-12

bent attitude, and then his countenance,
growing livid and rigid as death.
He gaspcd for breath, clinching 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 he glanced from the captains face to the
shackles-he said slowly and with u labor
ing chest:
"My God! You cannot have been sent
to iron mer
"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 fvc-eights Of an inch
in thickness, and connected together by u
chain of like weight. 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 hurricdly round the
room, as if for some weapon. or means OF
self destruction. ." l demand, Captain, that
you let me see the commanding officer
Can he pretend that such shacklcs arc re-
quired to secure the safe custody of q weak
old man, SO guarded and in such fort as
this?"
t" 1t could serve no purpose" replied
Captain Titlow; "his orders are from Wash
ington, as mine are from him."
" But he can telegraph" interposed Mr..
Davis, eagerly; 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 an
swers."
My orders are peremptory," said the
officer, "and admit of no delay. For your
own sake, let me advise you to submit
with patience. AS 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 q jailor-
for hangman, which no soldier wearing
a sword should accept! / tell you the
world will ring with this disgrace. The
war is over; the South is conquered;
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 p' he
cried, passionately, throwing his arms wide
open and exposing his breast, "rather than
infict on ME, this insult worse than death"
Do your duty, blacksmith" said the
officer, walking towards the embrasure as
if not caring to witness the performance.
" 1t only gives increased pain on all sides
to protract this interview"
At these words the blacksmith advan-
ced with the shackles, and seeing that the
prisoner had one foot on the chair near
his bedside, his right hand resting on the
back OF 1t, the brawny mechanic made an
attempt to slip one of the shackles over
the ankle SO raised; but, as if with the We
hemence and strength which frenzy can
impart, even to the weakest invalid, Mr..
Davis suddenly seized his assailant and
hurled him half way across the room.
On this Captain Titlow turnei, and
seeing that Davis had backed against the
wall for further resistance, began to remon-
strate, pointing out in brief, clear language,
that this course was madness, and that or
ders must be enforced at any cost. "Why
compel me-" he said, "to add the further
indignity of personal violence to the ne.
cessity of your being ironed.'
I" am prisoner Of war;" fiercely re-
torted Davis: 81 have been soldier in
the armies of America, and know how to
die Only kill me, and my last breath
shall be blessing on your head But
while l have life and strength to resist,
for myself and for my people, this thing
shall not be DONE"
Hereupon Captain Titlow called in
sergeant and file of soldiers from the next
room, and the sergeant advanced to seizo
the prisoner. Immediately Mr. Davis few
on him, seized his musket and attempted
to wrench it from his grasp.
Of course such o scene could have but
one issue. There was short, passionate
scuffie. In moment Davis was flung up
on his bed, and before his four powerful
assaiants removed their hands from him,
the blacksmith and his assistant had done
their work-one securing the rivet on the
right ankle, while the other turned the
key on 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 striking chain seems first to
have recalled him to bis situation, and
propping his face into his hands, he burst
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