The New York herald., 1866-06-16


Prison Life of jefferson Davis.
A book with this title will be published in
q few days by Carleton, Of this city, and 1t is
reported that the work has already appeared
in Washington. II is from the pen Of Brevet
Lieutenant Colonel John ]. Craven, NJ. D., who
was physician to the prisoner at Fortress Mon
roe from May rs to December 25, 1866. This
work, doubtless, win not only be interesting
as correct narrative of JEFF Davis prison life,
Of which SO many contradictory and ex'gger-
ated statements have been published, but
more particularly for the remarks upon the
events Of the war and the prominent men who
figured in 1t.
Whatever we may think of the cgotism or
prejudices Of Mr.. Davis, there is no denying
that the views Of man Of his acquirem ents
and intellectual capacity and who had been
such prominent actor in the rebellion, must
have their historical value.
The first days Of his prison life must have
been excruciating When this man who had
been the chief of a confederacy that put more
than hall million of men in the field and
carried ON war of the most gigantic
character, saw the blacksmith approach his
cell at Fortress Monroe to manaclc him
with heavy irons, he might well exclaim,
in the anguish Of his soul, AMy God
you cannot have been sent to iron
mew How was the mighty fallen The Presi-
dent OF the so-called Confederate States-of o
rebellion ii is true, but still OF a mighty bell
ligerent powcr-a former Secretary of War and
Senator Of the United States, the high-spiritcd
representative OF Southern chivalry. to be
manacled as felon must have sent the iron
deep into his soul. This extreme rigor was
relaxed, however, after FIVE days, upon tho
representation Of the fcd,ral physician at the
fortress that the prisoners feeble slate Of
health could not endure the severity. There
was, too, gradual relaxation of prison disci-
pline from time to time after that, for the same
reason, until his condition as prisoner was
made comparatively easy. He complained Bit
terly Of the treatment he received at frsr,
and seemed hardly to comprehend the motive
for it. Mr.. Davis lost sight apparently of the
state Of the public mind in the loyal States at
ward. The President OF the United States had
just been murdered. This fearful crime grew
out OF the rebellion OF which he was the recog-
nz,d chief; and though few may now imagine
that he had any hand in or knowledge OF tho
crime, 1t was natural that the public should
then feel both vindictive and suspicious. Tho
severity exercised toward him was the natural
consequence oil the state Of things then existing.
After he was allowed 10 have reading matter
almost all he chose to read were the Bible,
prayer book, Bancroit's History of the United
States" and the New York HERALD. In the
first two he found religious consolation, no
doubt; for he appears to have been sincerely
religious; and in the last his mind was inter
ested with history, philosophy and compre-
bensivc view Of the current news Of the day.
In his conversations with his physician he
spoke freely and frankly of the generals and
public men on both sides. In Albert Sidney.
Johnston he realized The idea Of a perfect COM
mander, remarking that all that Napoleon said
of Dessaix and Kleber, except the slovcnly
habits Of one Of them, might be combined
truthfnlly and said OF Johnston. He spoke OF
Stonewali jackson with great tenderness and
with something Of reverence. "The confede-
racy," he said "lost an eye aud an arm in
losing him" lie expressed himself in high
terms Of General Lee as great soldier and
pure Christian gentleman; but he was not dis
posed to say much about Joe Johnston. His
old prejudice against this latter general evi- |
dcntly exists yet. He did not have very good
opinion Of his Cabinet or the rebel Congress,
and was quite severe on Toomts, whom he
designasss "a destroyer, q born Jacobin;r
on Footc, "a man of no account and on the |
Rhe,t faction OF South Carolina. which was |
never "at home save when In the attitude Of |
lie thinks General Grant a |
great soldier beyond doubt, but Of q new
school," He says that II Grant had started |,
In bis career as commander-in-chicf earlier
In the war he would probably have failed |
from the SAME causes from which Mcclellan
and others did. III he had not started |
with an enormous account in bank bis |
checks would have been dshonored.- Davis |
owed TO General Butler :" the be~ joke of the |
Gap" He spoke highly of Sum-
ncr, Sedgwick and Hunter as gallant soldiers
md excellent gentlemen; Of Pope as "a kind
of American gascon, but with good scientific
,ttanmenis.' Mcclellan he thinks good \
officer, but too cautious and morally timid In
command Of great army.
Speaking Of President Lincoln he tbought !