The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-08-01
HOW THE CoNFEDERArE PRESIDENT WAS
PUT IN CHAINS.

CTJOyCu SuCn enluenCC. lnlS morning d Ct-
fersou Davis was shacklcd.
1t was while all the swarming camps of
the armies Of the Potomac, the Tennessee
and Gcorgia-over two hun dred thousand
bronzed and laureled veterans-were pre-
pariug for the grand review of the next
morning, in which, passing in endless sue
'ccssion before the mansion of the President,
tho conquering military power of the ma
tion was to lay down its arms at the feet of
the civil authority, that the following scene
was enacted at Fort Monroe
Capt. Jerome f. Titlow, of the Third
Pennsylvania Artillery, entered the prison
cr's cell, followed by the blacksmith of the
fort and his assistant, the latter carrying in
his hands some heavy and barshly rafting
shackles. AS they entered, Mr. Davis was
reclining on his bed, feverish and weary
after sleopless night, the food placed near
him the preceding day untouched on his
tin plate near his bedside.
Well? said Mr. Davis, as they entered,
slightly raising his head.
have an unpleasant duty to perform,
sir, said Captain Titlow and as he spoke
tho senior blacksmith took the shacklcs from
his assistant.
Davis leupcd instantly from his recum-
bent attitude, flush passing over his face
for moment, and then his countonancc
growing rs livid and rigid rs death.
He gasped for breath, clutching his
throat with the thin fingers of his right
hand, and then recovering himself slowly,
while his wasted figure lowered up to its
full hcight-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 labor.
My God! You cannot have been sent
to iron me?
Such are my orders, sir, replied tho Off
Ger, beckoniug the blacksmith to approach,
who stepped forward, unlocking the paddock
and preparing the fetters to do their office.
These letters we're of heavy iron, probably
ive eights of an inch in thickness, and con-
nectod together by a chain Of like weight.
believe they arc now in the possession of
Major Genera! Miles, and will form an iu-
tcrestng relic.
This is too monstrous, groaned the pris-
ouer, glaring hurricdly round the room as
II for somo weapon, or means of self des-
struction. deLand, Captain, that you let
me sec the commanding officer Can he
pretend that such shack!es are required to
secure the safe custody of weak old man,
so guarded and in such fort as this I?
1t would serve to no purpose, replied
Captain Titlow his orders are from Wash
ington, as mine arc from him.
But he can telegraph, intcrposed 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 re-
ceives an answer.
My orders are pcremptory, said the off.
Ger, and admit of no delay. For your own
sake let me advise you to submit with pa
] must execute orders
These are not orders for q soldier, shouted
the prisoner, losing all control of himself.
They arc orders tor jailor-for hang.
man, which no soldier wearing sword
should accept! l tell you the world will
ring with this disgrace. The war is over
tho South is conquered: have no longer
any country but America, and it is Cor the
honor of America, as fer my own honor
and life, that [ plead against this degrade
tion. Kill me kill NE he cried passion
ately, throwing mis- arms wide open and
exposing mis- breast, rather than ifiict on me
and my people through mo this insult,
worse than death.
DO your duty, blacksmith, said the officer
walking toward the embrasure as if not car
ing to witness the performance. 1t oaly
gives increased pain ON all sides to protract
this interview.
At these words the blacksmith advanced
with the shackles, aud seeing that the pris.
oner had one foot upon the chair near his
bedside, his right hand resting on the back
of it, the brawny mechansic made an at
tempt to slip one Of the chackles over the
ankle so raised I; but as if the vehemencc
and power which frenzy alone can impart,
even to tho weakest individual, Mr.. Davis
suddenly seized his assailant and hurled
him half way across the room.
On this Captain Titlow turned, and see-
ing that Davis had backed against the wall
for further resistance, began to demonstrate,
pointing out in brief, clear language that
this course was madness, and that the order
must bo enforced at any cost. Why CON-
pei mo, he added, to add tho further indig-
nifty of personal violence 10 the necessity
of your being ironed /?
I On, n nrisoner IF war Rerealy retorted