Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-15
!, JEFFERSON DAVIS
HIS ANGUISH ON BEING IRoNEo At
FORT MONROE.

. Captains Respect For Orders-A Leaf
From the Diary Of the Resident Surgeon
| Of the Fort In 1868.
Among the multitudinous documents In
the library at Fort Monroe there is not one
Of more absorbing interest than the diary
OF Breyct Lieutenant John j. Craven, sur
geon United States volunteers, who was
the physician In charge Of the fort when
Jefferson Davis was prisoner within its
walls. The diary gives graphic account
of the prison life Of Mr.. Davis and con
tains many incidents that reflect his deyo.
ton to tho lost cause. It's pages are not
colored by sectional feeling, but, on the
contrary, they bear the unprejudiced testi
mony Of q medical adviser who was not
blind to the character and attachments OF
his patient. 1t covers period Of about
six months, during which time DIR. Craven
attended the president Of the Confedcracy
almost daily.
On the morning OF the 23d Of May, 1865,
the proud spirit Of jefferson Davis under
went severe trial--a trial which was
probably severer than has ever in modern
times been inflicted upon n man OF such
eminence. On that morning he was shac-
killed.. Lieutenant Craven's story OF the
circumstance is as follows:
Captain Jerome f. Titlow OF the Ihird
Pennsylvania artillery entered the prison
er's cell, followed by the blacksmith OF
the fort and his assistant the latter carry
ing in his hands some heavy and harshly
rattlin0 shackles. Mr. Davis, feverish aft
or a slceplcss night, was reclining on his
couch when they entered. His food OF the
day before was still lying untouched on
tin plate near him.
"Well, !" said Mr.. Davis as they entered.
~ have an unpleasant duty to perform,
SIR" said Captain Titlow, and as he spoke
the blacksmith took the shackles from his
assistant.
The prisoner leaped from his bed with
flushed face, and his countenance grew
livid and rigid as death. lie gasped Tor
breath and olutched his throat with the
thin fingers Of his right hand. Then, re-
covering himself slowly, while his wasted
figure lowered up to its full height, APP
pearing first to swell with Indignation ana
then 70 shrink with terror as he glanced
from the captains face to the shackles, he
said slowly and with deep emotion:
"My God, you could not have been sent
to iron mes'
officer, reckoning to the blacksmith to ap-
proach
'This is too monstrous!' groaned the
prisoner, GEARING around the room rs II
for some weapon or means OF self destruc-
ton. II demand, captain, that you let me
see the commanding officer. Can he pre-
tend that such shackles are required 10 Sc
cure the scfe custody OF weak ola man
n Cupb n fort thiSV'
ut could serve no purpose, replied
Captain I!tlow. his orders are from
Washington, as mine are from MN.
but no can telegraph INSISTED Mr..
Davis eagerly. There must be some mis-
take. NO such outrage as you threaten me
with Is on record In the history OF nations
Beg him to telegraph ana delay untll ne
receives an answer
MY orders are peremptory' sald inc
officer, 'and aunt OF no deiay. for your
own sake lot me advise you to submit with
patience. AS soldier Mr. DAVIS, you
know that must execute orders.
Ihese are not orders lor soldler'
shouted the prisoner, losing all control OF
himself Ihey are orders ior ]aiier' for
hangihai, WHICH no soiuier wearing d
SWORD shouiu accept' L tel you the "orio
Will ring Win this disgrace Inc war Is
over the south Is CONQUERED nave no
longer any country ouI America, ana III IS
ior inc honor oi AhhGrica as ior my own
hohor IN me- tna' 1 pienu against 'ms
oeeraua.ioh. Mn me XII me ne crieu
Pass'oi'"'o!' ,h'ow ing MS arms "i.o ol,eh
ana exposing ms breast, rathcr ,hah IN
iiloo On mo anu Oh my peopie 'his insui'
WORSE .ii''i oea'h'
10 your oo.y, pi''okshii'h' s"io 'iie
oncer, walking toward 'ne eh'orasure' as
II hoe caring 10 "ithess 'he performance
III only gives increaseu pam Oh "ii Sues
10 protract WIS interview;
Az tnese words 'he oiacksmi'h advanced
WIN thc sI'ckies' anu seeing thae the
prisoner nao one iooe upon .he ohair near
MS pedslde ana ms rignt mana resting up
on the pack Oh the cnair .he prawny me
chahic attempted 10 siip one Oh inc snackles
over the ioot SO raiseo' pu', rs IL WIN the
vehemehce anu strehgth Oh frenzy, MI.
DAVIS suddenly selzcd the IRON worker ana
hurled nm nan way across the room
captain 1ltiow turned ana, seeing that
the prisoner hau Dackeo against the wall
FOR further resistance, began TO remon-
strate with NM
am prisoner OF war, nercely ro-
torted MIR. Davis. - nave been soldier