The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-26
PINED AWAY IN CHAINS.
THE EX-PREsIDENT OF THE CON
FEDERACY IN FORT MONROE.
Jefferson Davis in PrisOn-ENtractS
From the Diary of the Physician
in Charge-The Indignity of Beins
Irnued.
From the Washington Post.

IrOned.
From the Washington Post.
Among the multitudinous documents in
the library at Fort Monroe there is not
one of more absorbing interest than the
diary of Brevet Lieut.. John J. Craven.
surgeon United States Volunteers, who
was the physician in charge of the fort
when jefferson Davis was prisoner with
in its walls. The diary gives a graphic ac-
count of the prison life of Mr.. Davis and
contains many incidents that reflect his
devotion to the lost cause. Its pages are
not colored by sectional feeling but, on
the contrary, they bear the unprejudiced
testimony of a medical adviser who was
not blind to the character and attain
ments of his patient. 1t covers period
of about six months, during which time
DR.. Craven attended the President of the
Confederacy almost daily.
The propeller William b. Clyde, having
on board several important prisoners,
dropped anchor in Hampton roads on May
10. 1866. The prisoners were jefferson Da-
Wis, President of the Confederacy; Alex
ander H. Stevens. vice president; John II.
Reagan, postmaster general; Clement c.
Clay, and others of lesser note. Mrs. Da-
Wis and her four children were also on
board the Clyde, which lay in the roads
for several days before any move was
made to transfer the prisoners. On May
Il Mr.; Stevens and MI, Reagan were re-
moved to the gunboat Tuscarora, which
immediately started with them for Fort
Delaware.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles arrived at Fort
Monroe from Baltimore on the afternoon
of May p. He relieved Col Roberts OF
command of the fort and at once made
preparations for the transfer of Mr. DAVIS
from the Clyde to his prison house. Rows
OF guards were stationed on either side
OF the route from the engineers land
ashore, to the water Battery postern.
That was done to keep back the crowd
that had gathered to catch a glimpse of
the distinguished prisoner.
The landing of Mr.. Davis was under
the immediate inspection of Mai Gem
Halleck and Hon. Charles A. Dana, who
was at that time assistant secretary of
war. Col. Pritchard of the Michigan
cavalry, who Immediately effected the ar
rest OF Mr.. Davis, was in command of the
guard from the vessel to the fort First
came Gen. Miles, holding the arm of Mr..
Davis. Following them came Col. P.itch-
ard and Mr.. Clay, with squad of soldiers
in the rear Mr.. Davis Wore a plain suit
OF confederate gray and a gray slouched
hat. He looked much worn and very hag-
gard. He was placed in easemate No
and Mr.. Clay IN No. !. In Nos, |, 8 and ,
guards of soldiers were stationed
On the morning of the 23d of Nav the
proud spirit OF Jefferson Davis under
went a severe trial-a trial which was
probably SeYerer than has ever IN mod
ern times been inflicted upon a man of
such eminence. On that morning he was
shackled. Lieut.. Craven's story of the
circumstance is as follows:
Capt. Jerome Il. Titlow of the Third
Pennsylvania artillery entered the prison
er cell, followed by the blacksmith of
the fort and his assistant, the latter car
rying in his hands some heavy and
harshly rafting shackles. Mr.. Davis,
feverish after a sleepless night, was re-
Ginning on his couch when they entered
His food of the day before was still living
untouched on a tin plate near him.
have an unpleasant duty to perform.
sir said Capt. TitlOw, and as he smoke
the blacksmith took the shackles from his
assistant.
The prisoner leaped from his bed with
flushed face and his counteDance grew
livid and rigid as death. He gasped for
breath and clutched his throat with the
thin fingers of his right hand Then. re-
covering himself slowly, while his wasted
figure lowered up to its full hight appear
ing first to swell with indignatior and
then to shrink with terror, as he glanced
from the captains face to the shackIes
he said slowly and with deep emotion:
to iron me?'
'Such are my orders, sir" replied the
officer reckoning to the blacksmith to ap-
proach.
This is too monstrous." groaned the
prisoner, glaring around the room as if
for some weapon or means Of self-destruc-
tin. II demand, captain, that you LET me
see the commanding officer. Can he pre-
tend that such shackles are required TO
secure the safe custody of a weak old man
in such a fort as this?'
1T could serve no purpose" replied
Capt. Titlow. His orders are from WASH
ington, as mine are from him.
But he 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 ma
lions. Beg him to telegraph and delay un-
til he receives an answer"
My orders are peremptory," said the Of
ficer, land admit of no delay. For your
own sake let me advise you to submit
with patience. AS a soldier, Mr. Davis.
you know that / must execute orders.v
These are not orders for a soldier"
shouted the prisoner, losing all control of
himself. They are orders for a Taller. for
a hangman, which no soldier wearing a
sword should accept / tell you the world
viii ring with~this disgrace. The war is
over, the south is conquered. l have no
longer any country but America, and il
is for the honor Of America, as for my own
honor in life, that / plead against this de-
graduation. XIII me- Kill mel" he cried pas
sionately, throwing his arms wide open
and exposing his breast, rather than in
fict on me and on my people this insult
worse than death"
do your duty, blacksmith" said the
officer, walking toward the embrasure.' as
If not caring to witness the performance
1T only gives increased pain on all sides
to protract this interview"
At these words the blacksmith advanc-
ed with the shackles and seeing that the
prisoner had one foot upon the chair near
his bedside and his right hand resting