The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-01-09
AT FORTRESS MONROE.
THE SHAOKLING OF THE LATE PRES
IDENT, JEFFERSON DAVIS.

tory-One that the Southern People
Can and Should Never Forget--A Mar
tyr for His Country. n, ,..
The scene is thus described by Dr.
j. J. Craven, the Federal surgeon Of
the post, in his "Prison Life of Jeffer-
son Davis" published at the time
The account is probably true IN its
chief outline.
''On the morning of the 23d of May
a yet bitterer trial was in store for the
proud spirit-a trial severer, probably,
than has ever in modern times been
indicted upon any one who has enjoyed
such eminence. This morning Jeffer
son Davis was shackled.
"It was while all the swarming
camps Of the army of the Potomac, the
Tennessee and Georgia-over 10000
bropzed and laureled veterans
preparing for the grand review Of the
next morning, in which, passing IN
endless succession before the mansion
of the President, the conquering mill
tary power was to lay down its arms at
the feet of the civil authority, that the
following scene was enacted al Fort
Monroe
"Captain James E. Titlow, of the
Third Pennsylvania artillery, entered
the prisoners cell, followed by the
blacksmith of the fort and his assistant,
the latter carrying in his hands some
heavy and harshly rafting shackles.
AS they entered, Mr.. Davis was re.
clining on his bed, feverish and weary
after sleepless night, the food placed
near to HIM the preceding day still ly
ing untouched on its tin plate near his
bedside. s
"sWell?' said Mr. Davis, rs they
entered, slightly raising his head. &
"I have an unpleasant duty to per
form, SIR said Capt. Titlow; and as
he spoke the senior blacksmith took
the shackles from his assistant.
"Davis leaped instantly from his re
cumbent attitude, flush passing over
his face for moment, and then his
countenance growing llvid and rigid
as death
'He gasped for breath, clutching
his throat with the thin fingers Of his
right hand, and then recovering him
self slowly, while his wasted figure
lowered up to its full height-now ap-
pearing to swell with Indignation and
then to shrink with terror as he glanc
ed from the captains face to the
shackles-he saio slowly with labor
ing chest:
"'My God! you cannot hove been
sent to iron me?'
"sSuch are my orders, sir., replied
the officer, beckoning the blacksmith
to approach, who stepped forward un-
locking the paddock and preparing
the fetters to do their Office. These
fetters were of heavy iron, probably
FIVE eighths of an inch in thickness,
and connected together by a chain of
like weight. I believe they are now
in the possession of Major General
| Miles, and will form an interesting
relic. 4
"'This is too monstrous, groaned
the prisoner, glancing hurriedly
round the room, as if for some weapon
or means of self lf-destruction. Il de-
mand, captain, that you let me see the
commanding officer Can he pretend
that such shackles are required to Sc
cure the safe custody Of a weak old
man, SO guarded and in such a fort as
this !? r-kr.-
| "It could serve no purpose, re-
piled Captain Titlow; 'his orders are
from Washington, as mine are from
him.
"'But he can telegraph interposed
Mr.. Davis, eagerly; there must be
some mistake. No such outrage at
you threaten me with is on record il
the history of nations. Beg him te
telegraph, and delay until he answers.
"'My orders are peremptory, said
the fficer, and admit of4sno delay
For your own sake, let me advise yot
to submit with patience. AS soldier
Mr.. Davis, you know I must obey or
ders.' gV gB.} st4 tsF
"'These are not orders for a soldier,
shouted the prisoner, losing all contro
of hins self: They are orders for, !;
jailel for . hangman, which no sold
lei. wearing q sword should accept /.
tell you the world will ring with thi.
disgrace. The war is overI the Soutf
is conquered. 1 have no longer an,
country but America, and it is FOL, tn,
honor Of America, as for my own hon
or and life, that plead against thi
degradation. Kill me! kill meI b,
cried passionately, throwing his arm
wide open. and exposing his breast
rather than infict on me, and on m,
people through me, this iusnlt wors
than DEATH n
"'Do your dnty, blacksmith sal
the officer, walking toward the EN-
brasure as if not caring to witness th
performances 1T only gives increas
ed pain to all of US to protract this in
terView. =
"At these words the blacksmith ad
yancedh. wit the shackles, and seein
that the prisoner had one foot ,upol
the, chair. pear his bedside, his righ
hand resting on the back Of it, th
brawny mechanic made an effort t
slip one of the shacklles over the ankl
) 50 raised, but as if with,ovehemenc
aud strength which frenzy can impair
even to The weakest Invalid, Mr.. pay
is suddenly seized his assailant an
hurled him half way, across the room
i"Qn tn s Captain Tthbw tdrned an
seeing that Davis had backed agains
the wall for fqrtner resistance, bega
| IN rovnnpetrofo noinfinU 1o,t IN hr;o