Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-09
were hard ard 80 ,hc nlainess and cheap

were bard, and OF the plainest and cheap
est kind; but the room was clean aud well
lighted. There was not Enucn need OK hgnt;
Tor the only book in tho room was an eld
treatise upon military tactics-s suoJect
which was not especially interesting TO the
prisoner NJ that time and u that place.
Newspapers were forbidden him. Ny IN
terview was very pleasant; lhore have
been lew men more gifted than MT. Davis
nnd Few whose opportunities TOT lnte,ecI
tual culture have been better improved. L
had not known him personally, but knew
what his standing was among the able men
oi the country, and expected TO meet IN
MN an accomplished gentleman. 10 those
who knew him well il il not necessary Tor
me TO say that was not disappointed. and
that was most favorably impressed by ms
manners aud conversation. was ms hrst
visitor and be seemed TO DO pleased WITH
my visit and with the opportunity whlch
u gave TO him for q free talk. He was IN
disposed TO say much about himself, aud II
was only by direct questions that 1 learneu
the facts in regard to the barharous treat
nent 20 which he had referred.
was he said, when brought 20 the
fortress, not only strictly confined IN
casemate which was little better than
dungeon, but I was heavily ironed. AS L
had beena submissive prisoner. and was III
strong fortress, ! thought that chains
were unnecessary, and that ought not 10
be subjected to them. / resisted being
shac kled. but resistance was vain. l was
thrown violently upon the door and heavi-
ly fettered. This was not oil. The case
mate in which / was confined was kept
constantly and brilliantly lighted, and
was never relieved of the presence
Of couple Of soldiers. Ny eyes
were, weak and sensitive, suffered
! keenly from the light, and you can
| Judge how my sUherlugs were aggravated
| by my not being permitted tor months 10
have one moment by myself l Listened
silently 70 tins statement, given subStan-
| italy ia his own language. but l felt, ~ ne
| did, that for a time he bad been barbarous-
! ~ treated. Chains were upneces AIRY, ana
| the constant presence of the guards m the
casemate must have been, to sensitive
man. worse than solitary confinement,
which is now regarded as beng too ln0u-
man to be Inflicted upon the greatest
| criminals. l happened 10 know some II
his personal friends in the West and
| he had q great deal 90 talk about
without saying much about himself.
| He seemed to be neither depressed
| IN spir.t8 nor s0urcd in temper. lie
| could not help saying something about the
war. but he said nothing in tho way OF JUS
| tiication or defence. He had the learning
of a bravo and highbred gentleman, who,
| knowing that he would have been highly
! hoDored il the Confederate States had
achieved their Independence, would not
and could not demeau himself as q crmi-
nal because they had not. Tho only anxiety
| be expressed was in regard Go his trial-not
ss 10 iGe result. but the time. He thought
the delay unnecessary aud unjust. lilo was
! kept IN prison for two years before he was
arraicned. ard released on bail. and
! D, ID
! Smith, the distinguished Abolitionists,
were among tho sign rs of his bond.
"On INV return TO. Washington ! made .
verbal report OF the manner in which Nj,
| DAVIS was then beng treated. no eyecu-
tive action w9e considered uecoe lry m his
behalf, aud nothing was done ia Inns prose,
cutiyn except wlat ll5 been mentioned