The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-07-12
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Some New Incidents Concern
ing the Great Confederate.
HIS HATRED OF THE NORTH.
His Attempt to Kill Blacksmith
Who Was Putting Irons on Him
In the Prison

"There are some upwritten incidents
in the history of Jefferson Davis that
think would interest our readers" said
Major John s. Stevenson to reporter
of the New York World the other day.
The major was out in the late war with
the Third Pennsylvania artillery, which
garrisoned Fortress Monroe while the
president of the Southern Confederacy
was confined there.
There are many incidents connected
with Davis Imprisonment that think
have never appeared in print, and if you
will take notes for while / will give
them to you" continued the major, and
he related the following:
About the middle of May. 1865. con-
siderable excitement was occasioned at
the fortress by orders from he war de-
partment that the post should prepare
the easements for the reception of pris-
oners of war. The order was promptly
carried out, and on May 10 the stermer
William f. Clyde steamed up Hampton
Roads, having on board Jefferson Davis
and Clement Z. Clay. She came to an
Choir of the fortress. and l was
one of the first officers of the
garrison to visit the distinguished
prisoners. 1t was necessary to
issue very strict orders for the govern
ment of the soldiers. Many of them
had suffered the horrors of southern
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 aid privations of the
long campaign. and the crimes and in
dlgnitles against the government. Only
an opportunity was lacking to lead 10
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. .iy1
DAVIS was accompanied by his wife
and children, and Mrs. Clay was with
her husband. Mrs. Clay was extremely
sollcitous for her husband comfort.
and requested the officers to treat him
kindly. He. too, was pleasant and |
courteous Ill his manner. Mr. Davis
was morose and cold in his demeanor.
He was much detected and refused to |
talk. He was suffering from neuralgia. |
which had deprived him partially OF
his eye-sight, and was besides hall !
crazy with dyspepsia.
Ihe prisoners were permitted to STAY
on shipbOard for three DAYS with their
families, but on May %, Charles A. !
Dana, assistant secretary of war, made |
preparations to bring the ashore. A
strong line OF Sentries was stationed
ibout the fortress, but at points whence
t was impossible to see Davis when he
anded. Colonel Pritchard went aboard r
md led Davis out, after permitting him
o take leave of his wife. Immediately
m landing General Miles took charge
Il the prisoner and led him to the
ortress by way of the water battery
'ostern, Prltchard's guard forming an
% penetrable line upon either side. At
he entrance of the fortress the inner
.uara escorted him to cell fitted up !
or him in the gun-room.
Extra precautions were taken to !
make this cell secure from possible !.
aids by relief parties. The embrasure
,as heavily barred, and an army :
lanket hung inside to keen ont .
be light. Davis bed-a hospital !
ot-was placed beneath the EN- =
rasure. The door opening into 4
ne gun-room was also heavily barred :
! sentinel was locked in the cell with g
ne prisoner. while just outside the door i
oIncer OF the guard was stationed To n
a On the sentinel. In font of the y
rated embrasure was stationed an y
ztra guard of thirty armed sentries =
Strict orders were issued 70.
arding the treatment of Davis =
-e was allowed no reading mai. y
r excepting the Bible and the \
rayer-book. His food, a regular army u
ltion,.. consisted of coffee withont u u
ilk for breakfast, with a luran O. O.
:. bread; salt beef, bread and =;
NEE for dinner. and coffee and 81
ard-tack for supper. He was allowed .
KNIFE or fork, lest he should attempt \,
lcide. AS he was i'll with dyspepsia h.
I'd had for long time been able to eat az
'thlng but the daintiest food this css
ugh feod was nauseating. He didn't Sc
tempt TO eat, and went witho food AZ
several days. He was getting a or
acacai mixing OF how union soldiers ci
Hereo I'D the Southern prisons, al th
Gus compared with that given 10 the l.;
ter. Nj
/. About this time an incident oc- %
FRED illustrating his bitterness toward ~
north. He was SO ill that DR.. Ban e.
DIT was sent to prescribe for him.. ~ ~
Where are you from p he asked tho Vi
ctor. A NV -
Massachusetts,, was the reply. ~
d sooner die than permit YOU to 6"
lch me or have anything to do with =
); is there no other doctor here?n
There's DR.. Craven ofNew JERSEY.
New Jersey Well, that's an i'm
'yement On Yankeedom, send him to
So DR.. Craven attended the sick
el and found him really i'll.
The monotonous tramp, tramp of
seutinel, pacing up and down his
!. annoyed Davis. He first glared at
angrily and then requested him to
? walking. The sentry had orders
70 speak to the prisoner. so he said
nlng but continued his measured
"a At last DAVIS became exasper-
l. ana rushing upon the soldier,
mpted to wrest the musket from
This conduct was promptly reported
soon an order came from Washing
directing that Davis be put in irons.
order was executed at once. Black
ms came TO the cell, and, instead of
z The common style of clasp shackles,
old-fashioned chain ana . broad
elets were brought. and the smiths
'eeded to fasten them on with rlyets.
BY whose order is tn outrage per
aiedr asked Davis. trembling with
lllS gaunt face liyid vith nasSinr