Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-10-18
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
HIS ANGUISH ON BEING iRONED AT
FORT MONROE.

A Strong Appeal Which Failed to Shake
. Captains Respect For Orders-A Leaf
From the Diary of the Resident Surgeon
of the Fort In 1865.
Among the multitudinous documents in
the library at Fort Monroe there is not one
Of more absorbing interest than the diary
Of Brevet Lieutenant John J. Craven, sur
geon United States volunteers, who was
the physician in charge Of the fort when
Jefferson Davis was O prisoner within its
walls. The diary gives a graphic account
of the prison life of Mr.. Davis and con-
tains many incidents that reflect his devo-
tion to the lost cause. Its pages are not
colored by sectional feeling, but, on the
contrary, they bear the unprecedented testi-
mony Of a medical adviser who was mot
blind to the character and attachments of
his patient. 1t covers q period Of about
six months, duringwhich time DR.. Craven
attended the president Of the Confederacy
almost daily.
On the morning Of the 23d Of May, 1866,
the proud spirit Of Jefferson Davis under
went a severe trial-a trial which was
probably severer than has ever in modern
times been inflicted upon a man of such
eminence. On that morning he was shac.
kled. Lieutenant Cravcn's story Of the
circumstance is as follows:
Captain Jerome E. Titlow of the Third
Pennsylvania artillery entered tho 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
rattling shackles. Mr.. Davis, feverish aft
er a slceplcss night, was reclining on his
couch whom they entered. His food OF the
day before was still lying untouched on a
tin plate near him.
"Well," said Mr.. Davis as they entered
II have an unpleasant duty to perform,
sir, " said Captain Titlow, and as he spoke
the blacksmith took the shackles from his
assistant.
The prisoner leapcd from his bed with
flushed face, and his countenance grew
livid and rigid us death. He gaspcd for
breath and clutchcd his throat with the
thin fingers Of his right hand. Then, re.
covering himself slowly, while his wasted
figure lowered up to it's full height, ap.
pearing first to swell with Indignation and
then to 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 SEM
to iron me?"
"Such are my orders, SIR - replied the
officer, reckoning to the blacksmith to APP
proach.
"This is too monstrous!'' groaned thu
prisoner, glaring around the room as i
for some weapon or means of self destruc
ton. Il demand, captain, that you let III
see the commanding officer. Can he pre-
tend that such shacklcs are required to Sc
cure the safe custody of Il weak old maj
in such q fort as this?'
sit could serve no purpose" repliet
Captain Titlow. ellis orders are from
: Washington, as mine are from him."
"But he can telegraph" insisted Mr.
5 Davis eagerly. "There must be some mis-
take. No such outrage as you threaten m
with is Oh record in the history Of nations
Beg him to telegraph and delay until h
, receives an answer"
Z "My orders are peremptory," said tn
} officer, land admit of no delay. For you
? own sake let me advise you to submit wit
! patience. AS a soldier, Mr.. Davis, yo'
know that I must execute orders.'
> "These are not orders for a soldier,
. shouted the prisoner, losing all control G
I himself. 'They are orders for a jaller, fo
q hangman, which no soldier wearing
g sword should accept. 1 tell you the worl
$ will ring with this disgrace. The war
over, the south is conquered. I have n
longer any country but America, and it
for the honor of America, as for my wv
honor in life, that I plead against thi
! degradation. Kill me! kill me!' he erie
G p~assionately, throwing his arms wide ope
and exposing his breast, "rather than il
fict on me and on my people this insul
9 worse than death"
II "Do your duty, blacksmith, - said tn
officer, walking toward the embrasure, q
S If not caring to witness the performance
sit only gives increased pain on all side
to protract this interview"
At these words the blacksmith advance
e with the shackles, and seeing that til
y prisoner had one foot upon the chair nea
9 his bedside and his right hand resting w
on the back of the chair the brawny M
g ohanic attempted to slip one Of the shackle
over the foot so raised; but, as if with tn
Il vehemence and strength Of frenzy, Nj
is Davis suddenly seized the iron worker al
hurled him half way across the room.
II Captain Titlow turned, and, seeing ths
y the prisoner had backed against the wa
10 for further resistance, began to remo1
it strate with him.
& 81 am a prisoner of war; fercely n
10 torted Mr.. Davis. II have been a soldit
LII UuO uCll11oS VI A1lcI4Ch dLlu huOW III
to die. Only kill me, and my last breat
shall be a blessing on your head, br
while I have life and strength to resist fl
If myself and my people, this thing shall NJ
II be DONE"
.e Captain Titlow now fully recognize
r. that the character of the man with whol
he had to deal was such as could not
turned from what he regarded as cardin'
le principles Of honor by a few soft words, {
n the wind moves the leaves on the tree
)" and, determined to end the interview an
ID put the orders which had been given hi
into effect as soon as possible, he called
10 a sergeant and file of soldiers from tt
,e next room. The sergeant advanced
seize the prisoner. Immediately Mr.. D.
1t Wis flew at him, seized his musket and a
h tempted to wrench it from his grasp. {
t. course, such a scene could lave but OF
issue. There was a short, determine
struggle In a moment Mr.. Davis W,
thrown on his bed, and before the soldie
removed their hands the blacksmith ha
done his work.
ID This done, Mr.. Davis lay for a momel
O., ~ &c IL ,4,,oor Tho,, e1o-11y M irsr