Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-04-10
JEFF DAVIS IN sHAcKLEs.


4 . l
Hampton Roads on May 18TH, 1865. Jeffer-
son Davis late president OF the collapsed
confederacy; Alexander Ii. Stephens, its
vice president j ohn ii. Reagan, its post
master general; Clement @. Clay, and
others OF lesser note were there. Carpen-
ters biackamitha aud masons had mean
while been OF work in Fortress Monroe
preparing quarters for these noted guests,
md ere long former secretary Of war
found himself secure in q strong cell in
the grim old fortyes1, whose guns had
often Numbered in his honor in years gone
by. While Davis was given quarters there,
Stephens and Reagan and those OF lesser
note were placed upon the Maumee and
Tuscsrors and carried to their several
places of detention. Mrs. Davis and her
four children were left aboard the Clyde,
while the husband and father was carried
10 an Imprisonment that, in the state OF
feeling In the north at that time, was
likely to end in speedy trial and an isno-
minious death.
When Davis entered his osll he had on
immediate verifcation of tho stern fact
that he was prisoner in more than the
mere name. After surveying the premises
for moment he turned to one of the sol |
diefs on guard and asked (which way |
does the enbrasure face?" The man, act
ing under strict orders, made no response. |
Raising his voice the ex-pr6siaent repeated |
his question, and upon hearing no answer,
asked it of the other soldier, who main |
tanned like silence. SWELL" said Davis,
with bitter laugh, II wish my men could
have been taught your discipline" and
then, rising from his chair, he paced
gloomily up and down the room.
biktap pr1aal WAC yaGerVn1 for n fsw
days later, when the irons were put upon
him to guard against all chance of escape.
The details of most exciting scene have
been noted down by DR.. Craven, the Union
surgeon, who had the prisoner in medical
charge. Capt. j. 4. Titlow OF the Third
Pennsylvania Artillery entered the room,
followed by a blacksmith and bis assist
ant, the latter carrying the heavy shackles.
Mr.. Davis who was lying upon his bed
after sleopless night, sat suddenly bolt
upright and said "Teli?"
"Ihave sir" said Capt. Titlow, ian un-
pleasant duty to perform, with motion
toward the irons.
The prisoner sprang to his feet, the
blood rushed to his cheek, and moment
afterward left it az pale Es death. His
breath came rapidly, he cluchsd his throat
with his gaunt fingers, and then, some
what recovering himself, slowly said
my God, you cannot have been sent to
iron me2"
''suoh are my ORDERS" said the officer.
He then motioned the blacksmith to ap-
proach. The latter unlocked the paddock
and made everything ready.
"Ihis is too INDUSTRIOUS, 'groanea rather
than said the prisoner. ~ demand, Gap
tain, that you lei me see the commanding
hsas a hat small sh 4 Lac,
are required to secure the SAFE custody OF
weak old man, 80 guarded, and in such
fort as this2n
st would serve no purpose" said the
Captain. "His orders are from Washing
ton, as mine are from him
"But he can telegraph" said Davis,
''there must be some mistake. No such
outrage as you threaten me with ia on
record in the history of nations. Beg him
to tele raph and delay until he answers"
'Ay crders,n said the officer, 'are per
emptory, and admit of nc delay. For your
own sake, let me advise you to submit
with patience. As = soldier, Mr. Davis,
you know l must execute orders"
These are not orders for soldier, u
almost shouted the prisoner, losing all
control OF hlngsli. "Vhey are orders fol
8 ja!lor--fOr hangmen, which nc soldier
wearing sword should accept ! tell
gou the world will ring with this disgrace
TIE war is ever the south is coLqlered
/ have no longer any country but America
AID it is for the honor OF America, rs fol
my own honor and life, that l plead
against this degradation
He was proceeding in this strain wheI
the officer interrupted With the order "Dt
your duty - 4 nd tho blac Esmith ndyancel
a, H.. No.. "a H. n .. a
rested upon a chair near the bedside, an,
the blacksmith attempted to slip the igoI
over the ankls, mt with sudden frenzy
aud strength unexpected in one or hi
weak appearance, the ex-presidert seiz ii
the men and hurled him hslf Way aoros
the room. MIR. Davis then backed agains
the we'll, and prepared hirnself toT a
expected onslaught. Capt. Titiow bGgs
to semOnatFEte, and eAdsd by asking
"Mhy compel me TO add the further il
eighty e personal violence TO the nece
s.ty u Jour h9lng ifonedi'
Il arn prisoner OF var" was I'll
answer feroely gwen; - have beeu
soldier in the GrIales Of America, and
know boy TO die. Only Kill me m u
last byeaih shalt be blessing on yoa
head. But while have life and Erengi
to rsEist Tor myself ind ior my Peep
.his thing shall not be doue.n
Japt Iitlow mada no response, bi
op.Asd door and called in a seraea
R4d a iie % soldiers. The aerpea
sivgno d 20 DIR. Davis s.ua attempted
Ieiza him, BAT he prisoner llada rusa
lha soldier and attempted 70 WEST Il
nusket from hia grasp. In i nome
Davis topnd hiras9!f upon ki1 bed o. 1
back and hold 1enurely il several pairs
strong hands. Mhi.s thus held tue i.o
were fastened On G1a ne was lett 10 Am &c
Lilo Icy sti!I Tor moment and hen III. 4
p'aco3 his feet upon the f17r dr5pp
his ace upon his hands apd, - bf. ol.g
says, "butsti Into 8 pnssiotaln & G o! 10
bihg, rocking TO and fro ard !, FL; 5rir..
brief Intervals, Oh, the sh.ms, /
shame = F." AT q latef perioi DAVIS CO
fessst to his physic.aa that tue t-3rE
El g shed through his miro tnot il
bGd made the rush for the mss i. 4
q on aud Eill him Or some solder III,
him in the scr!nmnge, thus ending
lie and troubles at the sal.e time
The3eit were heavy burden to
prisoner, mentally as woll aa physical
he destined to take neudsd exercise
cause of them, ss5ing II: Try to n;
they trip me, and Lave already abrad
broad patches Of akin from the pRrts IL
touch" He ssked his physician TO :
them in come way, anu the latter il
psoEisiug to do what hs could The S
Eson laid the matter 5e?ota Gen. Mil
who was 10 charge OF the fortress, dee
Ing that the physical con milton Of the D
oner was such that the removal Of
Al, a. F,rs,