The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-03
The State Prison er Of '65.
"REMINISCENCES OF JEFF DAvIS'S CELL
LIFE AT FORTRESS MONROE

Major John S. Stephens recently re-
lated the following incident connected
with Jeff Davis Imprisonment at
Fortress Monroe.
"About the middle of May, 1865,
considerable excitement was occasioned
at the fortress by the receipt of orders
from the War Department that the
post should prepare the easement for
tire reception Of prisoners of war.
The order was promptly carried out,
and on May 10 the steamer William
p. Clyde steamed up Hampton Roads,
having on board Jefferson Davis and
Clemet G. Clay. She came to anchor
off the Fortress. and ] was one Of the
first officers of the garrison to visit the
distinguished prisoner. 1t was neces-
sary to issue very strict orders for the
government of the soldiers. Many of
them had suffered the horrors of South
ern prisons, and the news of President
Lincoln's assassination was fresh in
their minds. The name of Davis was
closely associated in their minds with
all the sufferings and privations of the
long campaign, and the crimes and in-
dignities against the Government.
Only the opportunity was lacking to
lead to the killing of the Confederate
ex-President. Any one of the men
would have shot him down at sight
even had he known he would swing
for it the next moment.
"Davis was accompanied by his wife
and children aud Mrs. Clay was with
her husband. Mrs. Clay was extreme
ly solicitous and requested the officers
to treat him kindly. He, too, was
pleasant and courteous in his manner
Mr.. Davis was morose and cold in his
demeanor. He was much detected and
refused TO talk. He was suffer,
ing from neuralgia, which had depriv
ed him partially of his eyesight and
was besides half crazy from dyspep
sia.
"The prisoners were permitted to
stay on ship-board for three days with
their families, but on May 22 Charles
A. Dana, assistant Secretary of War
made preparations to bring them
ashore. A strong line of sentries was
stationed about the fortress, but at
points whence it was impossible to see
Davis when he landed. Col Pritch
ard went aboard and led Davis out
after permitting him to take leave OF
his wife. Immediately on landing
Gen. Miles took charge of the prisoner
and led him into the fortress by way
of the water battery postern, Pritch.
ards guard forming an impenetrable
line on either side. AT the entrance
of the fortress the inner guard escort
ed him to cell fitted up for him in
the gun room.
"Extra precautions were taken Ia
make this cell secure from the posi- bic
raids by relief parties. The embrasure
was heavily barred; and an army blank
ct hung inside to keep out the light.
Davis's bed-a hospital cot-was plac
ed beneath the embrasure. The door
opening into the gun-room was also
heavily barred. A sentinel was lock-
ed in the cell with the prisoner, while
just outside the door an officer of the
guard was stationed to watch the sent
incl. In front of the grated embra-
sure was stationed an extra guard of
Thirty armed sentries.
"Strict orders were issued regarding
the treatment of Davis. lie was allow,
ed no reading matter except the Bible
and prayer book. His food, a regular
army ration, consisted of coffee with.
out milk for breakfast, with lump of
bread; salt beef, bread and coffee for
dinner and coffee aud hardtack for sup
per. lie was allowed no knife or fork
lest Re should attempt suicide, As he
was i'll with dyspepsia and had for a