Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-06-28

oXCltonoDt. mo uIuSS Colti'e die,sTe1 oiS1Oo7
ton naturally weak and so impaired, with
out exercise nor could anything in the
pharmacopaia quietnerves so overwrought
and shattered, while the continued irrita-
ton Of the letters was counterposing what
ever medicines might be given.
"You believe it, then, a medical necess-
ity ?" queried General Miles.
II do most earnestly"
''Then | will give the matter attention"
and at this pointfor the present the affair
ended ~
liay 26h.-Called with the officer ofthe
day, Captain James B. King, at | ?. M.
Found Mr.. Davis in bed. complaining of
intense debility, but could not point to any
particular complaint. The pain in his
head had left him last night, but haa.lsen
brought baek this aftaraeen and as :
taking down the wooden doors .hol5 ID
his cell and the exterior guard-room and
replacing these iron gratsngs, so that he
could at all times be seen by the sentrtes IN
the outside room, us aceU as By t'co "s,tem
f,rends," acho acere the eo'speoh'ang COM
pani;ons of has solitude.
Noticed that the prisoners dinner lay
untouched on it's tin plate near his bedside,
his meals being brought in by silent sol
der, who placed food on its table and then
withdrew. Had remarked before that ne
scarcely touched the food served to him,
his appetite being feeble at best, and his
digestion out Of order.
Quitting him, called on General Miles,
and recommended that [ be allowed to
place the prisoner on diet corresponding
with his condition, which required light
and nutritious food. Consent was imme-
diately given, and I had prepared and sent
over from my quarters some tea and toast
for his evenings meal
Calling about P. NJ, found Mr.. Da-
Wis greatly improved, the tea and toast
having given him, he said, new life
Though he had not complained of the fare,
he was very thankful for the change.
Hay 27h-Called in the morning with
the officer Of the day, Captain Tltlow.-
Found Mr.. Davis in bed, very weak and
responding. He had not slept. Had
been kept awake by the heavy surging of
the wind through the big trees on the
other side of the moat. Appeared much
relieved when I told him the breeze ewas
nothing like storm, though it blew north
easterly, which was favorable to the ship
containing his family.
Called again at 8 P NJ. same day. Mr..
Davis still very weak, and had been tIou-
-hlea With several faint, not ezsa-etag ft9t-
ing spells, his pulse indicating extreme de-
bility. He said the nights were very tedi-
Gus and haggard. During the day he could
find employment (the Bible or prayer-book
being seldom out of his hand while alone,)
but during the night his anxieties about
his family returned and the footballs OF
the sentries in the room with hlm-thelr
very breathing Or coughing-contlnually
called back his thoughts, when otherwise
and for moment more pleasantly wander
ing, to his present situation. He had
watched the weather all day with intense
interest and had been cheered to observe
from the slant Of the rain that the wind APP
peared to continue north east, SO that he
hoped bis family were by this time in Sa-
vannal.
land so, DOCTOR" he went on, "you
think all the miserable details Of my IRON
ing have been placed before the public? 1t
is not only for the hart feelings Of "ey ~!t
and children. bit for the honor Of AaoeT7-
cons that I regret it. Ny efforts to con-
ceal from my wife the knowledge of my
suferings are unavailing and it were,
perhaps, better that she should know the
whole truth, as probably less distressing
to her than what may be the impressions
of her fears, Should [ write such letter
to her, however, she would never get it."
Sunday, May 28th.-At Il, A. NJ,
this morning was sitting on the porch IN
front of my quarters when Captain Fred
erick Korte, Third Pennsylvania Artillery,
who was officer of tie day, passed toward
the cell of the prisoner, followed by the
blacksmith. This told the story, and sent
pleasant professional thrill of pride
through my veins.
Did not let Mr. Davis see me then, but
retired, thinking it better the prisoner
should be left alone in the first moments
of regaining so much of his personal free
dom.
Called again at two ?. NJ, with the Of
6cer of the day Immediately on enter
ing, Mr. Davis rose from his seat, both
his hands extended, and his eyes filled
with tears. He was evidently about to say
something, but checked himself or was
checked by rush of emotions, and sat
down upon his bed.
[ congratulated him on the change, OBJ
serving that my promise of his soon feel
ing better was being fulfilled, and he must
now take all the exercise that was posi-
BILE for him, for on this his future health
would depend. Captain Korte, too, join
ed in my congratulations very kindly, and
spoke with the frank courtesy of a gentle
man and soldier
J,ene ! Called with Captain Korte,
-