The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-01
HON JEFFERSON DAVIS.
coI,,nsl Lieweiien HoSton's Personal
"Reminiscences.

Colonel Hoxton Is native of Aie1an-
dris. graduated at West POirt Military
Academy with class Ct 81; entered
Confederate service just afterwards
was chief Of artillery OF Hardce d
CORPS. and afterwards OF Stephen ID.
Lees Corps in the army of Ten.
nessec. He has been connected
with the Episcopal High School Of Vlr-
GINA near this city since 1870 % IN
structor Of mathematics. and Is at pre-
sent the associate principal OF those
large and Furnishing Institutions
known everywhere IN the South. de
Is man Of rare qualities. well trimmed
and balanced and a gentleman Ia the
highest sense OF the word. hs u a
membsrof Lee Camp. Confederate Vet
Grams, Of AiexaI dria.
The recent death Of President Davis
has suggested the thought that some
personal "reminiscences OF that disiin-
cuished man might interest your read
srs. The writer. then boy, first saw
him when Secretary OF War under The
administration OF President Piece. and
shortly afterwards received from him
the official notification of appointment
10 cadetship at West Point. a second
time. when he paid AL official visit "a
the Military Academy IN the summer
IF 1850, that pleasure was enjoyed.
When next / met hmm the civil war had
commenced. l. vas early in the sum.
mer Of 1861 that called 10 pay my re-
sppcts and take leave e the President
and Mrs. Davis before departing foI
the army in Tennessee 8s one Of 'he
inpior members Of the staff or Ma Ir-
General Polk. Mr.. Davis was, on tnis
occasion. as whenever | saw BIN. =
cour.ly gentleman. whose peculiarly
winning manners fssciraied and IRE
sistibly drew me towards him. lie
visited the Army of Tennessee several
times during the war, but, save on ore
occasion. Ii was not until three years
later. in the autumn Of 1864, that l saw
HIM again. He was then surrounded
by brilliant group Of general officer
ard their stats, yet. with that remark.
able faculty he possessed Of recognizing
people under al circumstance. be.
much to ny surprise, cordially greeted
me by name.
Among the most interesting events OF
my life was last visit paid HIM when d
prisoner az Fortress Monroe in the sum
mer of 1865. Being guest Of the Rev.
| o S Barien. ID. D.. at that time. a.
DOW. the rector Of Christ church, Of
Norfolk. / received an inumaiion from
Mrs. Davls, then with her distinguished
husband. that she would be- glad to sec
me. AS | had known her from boy
mood. az once ayal.ed myself Of an or-
poriunity 90 go in company with d.
Barten to Oh Point. This gentleman
vas visiting Mr.. Davis as bis pastor foI
The time being, the Presidents regular
pastor. the Rev. Charles Nhunigerode.
ID. d.. OF Richmond, being away IL Eu-
rope.
As no ex-Confedsrate was then al
lowed % enter the font Mrs. DAVIS was
10 meet me outside its limits. What
Was my surprise then, when. after .
DELAY oil two hours. 1 overheard s1i-
der iuquiriug tor me by name. A.
sweung his inquiry myself be men
TONED the name Of a Federal Cilctf
no had heen my room mate 40 Wet
Point. and ssid. Colonel Du PObt
sends ms compliments and will be glad
70 rec YOU 90 the fori.' At Cnce bend
ing my steps thither. I was met By an.
other messenger bearing written per-
mission for me to enter. This was from
General Barry, temporarily occupy
ing the place of General Miles, thr
commanding officer. and was coucht q
IL courteous terms upon the back q q
note which Mfs. Davis had written &C.
the general ssking that be allowed e.
visit them. On reaching my desuna
ton. was met by my old friend. Do
POnt. and. after an interchange Of
greetings. conducted by him to the
apartments Of Mr. aud Mrs. Davis.
These werc IN one OF the classmates OF
the fortress, plsc.s Intended for heavy
guns in time OF war. but often tittea
up. a. ia the present instance, fOi
officers quarters.
Er. Davis received me in his singu-
larly gracious and cordial way. Their
Was tinge Of sadness ia his demeanor.
blended with dignity and patient eudur-
ance of misfortune. that moved me to the
heart. Nlth5l was the uncOnluerable
resolve to endure hsrOIcslly ms suffer
ings and the oblCquy heaped upon him
by bis enemies. How nobly he bore
himself then, as well as unto death. We,
who followed him IN war and lOyeo
him for what lie endured for us. know
fnll we'll. AT fiist he was only allowed
The rali0ns Of a cOmnon soldier. Ia BIS
weak state OF health this, with the other
rigorous treatment 10 which he was
subjecLed. could have terminated bui
iu one way.
Just before my visit there bad 90
peared q sensational book. entitled Tine
Prison life of jefferson Davis. written
by Federal surgeon on duty al For
trgss Monroe. This purp0Tted 10 give
interviews between Mr. Davis aud the
author, together with AL account Of The
scene at the tiule OF putting HIM IN fet-
ters. The President told me that some
Of .he conversations never took place
aud that others were CARRIED. h0.
lives Of delicacy prevented any Al
fusion on my part TO the recital a
the incident as given by this doctor
touching The placing of Mr. Davis DO
irons. doubtless OWNING ny desire 10
have true account of the painful a.
fair. the President arose from his seat
at this Stage OF the conversation and
aoing to secretary or desk, took there
from a manuscript and handed II to zoe
TO read IL proved 10 be the sworn
slsiemen. Of the officer ncharge Of the
party OF soldiers who, with smith,
placed the IRONS upon him. The sub
stance If the paper was as follows:
On their entrance Of his -cii. Nr.
ID Wis, seeing al once the object OF their
visit, exclaimed. Ii is not possible that
your government intends 10 inilict this
indigDiiy upon me The officer re-
piled that such was bis paiDlul duiy,
aud. IS a soldier, he was obliged 30 obey
his orders. Dir. Davis resisted, when
one Of the mon leveled his muskel al
tho iliuilii0us captive. who, thinking
thst The man was about 10 fire, drew
himself erect aud said. Il have been an
American soldier and know how to E. -
Tue officer, however. struck away the
mUskel. Then the men ovefp0wed him
while the smith placed him in irons.
These are the facts 10 the case.
In resisting this shameful treatment,
hIs cnivaiIOus. Qencrl Us spirit simply
resented the iuflict0n OF 50 great an in
dignity uDDu hlm.flf asfhp reprerpnfa