Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-30
JEFF DAVIS IRONS.
An Exciting Scene Described by hen
IerleY RonIa.

| FerIey fOOre.
| "Was jeff Davis ever msnacled p asks "a
constant reader" of the "Reminiscences ="
lie was at Fortress Monroe on the ground
that he had refused to cat some of the food
prepared for him, and had SHE'D tin plate
at the head of the soldier who served him.
This was revolt strictly speaking, but
there was nothing TO fear from the angry
acts Of an old man who was imprisoned in
| the inner apartment of casemate, with a
guard in the outer apartment and scntiies
posted on the outside at the portfolios and
ut the door. But orders had undoubtedly
been sent to Secretary Stanton to put the
fallen chief of the confederacy in ,irons II he
| gave any provoCation, and he gave it,
Captain Tetlow, vino was especially charged
with the custody OF Mr.. Davis and who is
authority for this sa'cihcnt-was according
ly ordered by the commandant Of the fort to
| place the prisoner in irons. Summoning
| blacksmith who was in habit OF rivetiDg
irons on soldiers sentenced by court-martial
to wear them, the captain went 10 the
| casematc, accompanied by the blacksmith
carrying the letters aud his tools. They
found Mr.. Davis seated on his cot, there
being no other furniture besides stool and n
few articles of tinware. When he glanced at
The blacksmith and comprehended the situ-
alton, he exclaimed, "My God this
indignity to be put upon me Not while
have life -. AT first he pleaded for an oppor-
tuni,y TO inquire of Secretary Stanton.
Then his his excitement rose to fury as he
walked his cell, venting itself in almost
incohertnt rawlings. he captain at length
calmly reminded him that, as q soldier, he
must be aware that however disagreeable the
duty assigned it must be performed, and
| thai ,e Iuty 1, ,,ipb hn abpull pprfDrm
it,
None but a dog would obey such orders, "
replied Mr. Davis, emphasizing his
determinatn never to he manacled alive by
grasping the stool aud aiming vicious
blow. The sentres rushed forward to
disarm him, but were ordered back into
their places. Captain Tetlow exclaimed that
such demonstrations of sclf.defense were
foolish and useless and that it would be
much better for Mr.. Davis to submit
to the inevitable necessity. But while re-
ceiviug this advice he took the opportunity
Of graspiny the muskct OF one of the sent
rics, aud in the furions endcavor to wrench
1t from him quite scuffle ensured.
That ended, the captain took the pre-.
caution of clappng his hands on his sword
hut, as he perceived Mr. Davis's eye wa;
on it, and at once ordered the corporal
of the guard to send into the easement foui
of his strongest men without sidearms as he
feared they might get into the wrong pos
session aud cause damage. They were
ordered to take the prisoner as gently al
possible, and using no unnecessary force tc
lay him upon the cot and there hold hin
down. 1t proved about as much as four mer
could do, the writings and upheavings Of
the Infatuated man developing the strength
of n manaic, until 1t eliminated in sheel
/, | n VII hon toek
done Mr.. Davis, after lying still awhile
raised himself aud sat on the side of tht
bed.
AS his feet touched the floor and the chair
clankcd, he was utterly overcome; the tear
burst out in food When he became calm
he apologizcd in a manly way to the captain
Tor the needless trouble he had caused him
and they afterwards maintained mutua
, relations of personal esteem and friendship
The indignity had, however, such an effec
on Mr. Davis tat the physic an called il
insisted on the removal Of The irons. Per
mission to do so was reluctantly obtalne'
t frou Washington, and the same man WIN
had put on the letters took them off Thi
: act did much to restore the depnsed leade
: of The Rebellion to the foremost place, whic
he had forfeited, in the hearts of those win
: had rebelled.
The mperious manner in which Mr.. Davl
had dictated the military operations of tn
n conf,deracy, placing his personal favorite
- in command, ami his inGlorious fight fror
o Richmond which was burned aud pluulere
II by the confrderates, while the fugitiv
: "prcsidtnt' carried away large sui
= in gold, had increased the feeling {
dissatisfaction which had always existed
= Dixie with Mr.. Davis. But when he WI
e ironcd and otherwise subjected to bars
t treatment, the Southern heart was touched
S and every white man, woman aud child fe
n that they were. through him, thus harshl
n dealt with. The manacling of Mr. Dav
, delayed the worl; of reconstruction f
/. years, and did much to restore the feeling
sectional hatred, which fair fighting ha
;, overcome. l. also gave Mr.. Davis an excu'
for the continued display of malicious hatrt
Of the North, which he has since engaged
: on every possible occasion.