The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-04
"Prtson Life OF jefferson DnvIs"-An In
tervietv with the Author.

residence OF gentleman in Newark, N. j., where
1 was spending night during my recent visit to
the North. He brought his book thon number
ing forty pages in proof, which he permitted me
to read. My friend, Rov. W. O. Power, of Char
lotte, N O., was present. Our circle was select
and appreciative, for the family whose guests we
wero sympathized strongly with suffering South
erners, having themselves learned something OF
persecution in Baltimore during the war. DR..
CRAVEN is 6 man Of quiet, gentlemanly appear
ance and. deportment-frm in his political con-
victions and prepossessions and these are
OF Northern character-but still there could
be detected nothing in his manner his speech
to indicate arroga or selfgratulation in con-
sequence Of the triumph OF his section. Like
many Others on the opposite side, who submitted
to the hardships OF the camp and the dangers OF
the battlefield, he rather manifested desire to
see justice done to every one.
He entered the Federal service at the begin
ming Of hostilities. Indeed, my impression is
that he was an old army surgeon. He WAS at the
first battle OF Manassas, .snd spoke of Dr. STONE,
an erratio United States army surgeon, whom
KERsHAw 30 adroitly captured, and whom had
the honor OF conveying with wounded Confede-
rate oficer-whose arm he saved-to Manassas
Junction, Immediately after the fight. The doctor
and frankly express our views as We progressed
1t wss accordingly read to the select audience,
and in the authors presence opinions were freely
nterohanged. At times they were OF decidedly
political cast and especially 80 when referring to
the person and official acts Of the authors sub
ject. DR.. CRAVEN listened with marked and re-
speotful attention. and gave interesting exposi-
tions Of different portions of his book, represent
ing the utterances which developed the character
OF Mr. DAVIS under new auspices-an OF which
did credit to the head and heart Of the mer,
and justice to the latter.
In his visits to MIR. DAVIS he was prohibited
from holding any general conversation with him;
but it appears that this prohibition was not en-
forced in aperemptory military order until after he
had had frequent and satisfactory interviews with
him. He was commanded to converse with him
only on professional matters; and under the
ceaseless vigilance Of the guard pacing the apart
ment and torturing the very soul Of it's inmate,
he WAS compelled in the most stealthy manner to
interchange thoughts in low whispers. This OBJ
yiousy oppressed the communicative spirit of
the imprisoned statesman. The Doctor treasured
in retentive memory everything that fell from
MIR. DAVIS lips, and Immediately on returning to
his quarters he would transfer every thought,
with much Of the language, to paper. No one
who is acquainted with Mr.. DAVIS pure, terse and
phiiosophio style Of writing and speaking will fail
to recognize throughout the book what WAS 80
well remembered and recorded by his surgeon
Like BoswELL-though free from that celebrated
biographer's impudent inquisitiveness, in his
close and untirng surveillance Of DIR. JOHNSON
he embraced every opportunity to study his illus-
trious subject, with whose name his own will ever
be associated in histt ry.
Said DR.. CRAVEN to me, SIT has been denied
that Mr.. DAVIS was ironed when first incarcera-
ed, but Witnessed the riveting of the feters and
my testimony is in my book. The mo at solemn
and impressive scene I ever behelf in my life,"
he continued, ''was the administration OF the
communion to Mr.. DAVIS the night it was thought
he would certainly die." he spoke of his calm
meas and resignation in view Of death, and the
simple faith he exercised in his Redeemers merits
The doctor fully expected to see his patient re-
lieved of his intense sufferings before morning,
and that patient was ready to 60.
The author spoke in very strong terms of MILES,
the military jailor Of Mr.. DAVIS and his book con-
tains many equally strong illusions to this mag
unanimous hero, "clothed in q little brief authori-
ty." He said one object Of the book was to ex-
pose his inhumanity. He informed me that it
WAS on MILES own authority he issued the infa-
nous oraef iorpiooinB any ofncer or soldier from
Offering to Mr.. DAVIS the ordinary salutations Of
the day, such as touch OF the hat, or even nod.
It seems that every person about the fort in
stinotivey inclined to recognize the prisoner as
distinguished American citizen, and to acknowl-
edge what every one could not but feel-his 81.
periority-by showing him proper respect; and
this vexed the patriotic soul Of his head keeper.
It were scarcely possible just here to refrain from
recalling Hamlet, when he instituted the compa-
rison Of Hyperion and satyr to illustrate two
strikingiy opposite Danish characters
One Of us ventured the observation that the
book would be fortune to the DOCTOR but it's ap-
pearance just now might involve him in serious
trouble. He replied that he had but one object
in view, and that was to do justice to MIR. DAVIS
No one who has ever como in social and friendly
contact with the President of the late Con-
federacy, will be surprised at the deep impression
he made upon his medical attendant. When he
was about to bid me adieu, he remarked that he
was anxious that the subject Of his memoir should
peruse it himself; "and," said the doctor, chang
ing his calm manner into one Of enthusiasm, sif
he assures me that have Justly represented him,
| I shall be satisfed. This is all desire"
have taken the liberty OF communicating these
Il