Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-10-31


tion 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 sent to iron me?'
'Such are my orders, SIR replied
the officer, beckoning to the black
smith to approach.
This is too monstrous,' groaned
the prisoner, glaring around the
room as if for some weapon for
self-dsstruction. Il demand, Cap
tain that you let me see the COM
manding officer. Can he pretend
that such shackles are required to
secure the safe custody of weak
old man in such a fort as this ?"
1T could serve no purpose re-
piled Captain Titlow. His orders
are from Washington, as mine are
from him.
But he can telegraph insisted
Mr.. Davis eagerly. There must be
some mistake. No such outrage as
you threaten me with is on the re-
cord in the history of the nations
Beg him to telegraph and delay until
he receives an answer
My orders are peremptory,' said
the officer, 'and 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.'
'These are not orders for a soldier ,
shouted the prisoner, losing all con-
troll Of hi,,ocnlr
for a jailer. for a hangman, which
no soldier wearing a sword should
accept. 1 tell you the world will
ring with this disgrace. The war is
over, the South is conquered. /
have no longer any country hut
America, and it is for the honor of
America, as for my own honor in
life, that plead against this degre.
dation. Kill me! kill me y he cried
passionately, throwing his arms
wide open and exposing his breast,
rather than inflict on me and my
people this insult worse than DEATH ,
DO your duty, blacksmith said
the officer, walking toward the en-
brasure, as if not caring to witness
the performance. 1T only gives in
creased pain on all sides to protract
this interview
AT these words the blacksmith ad-
vanced with the shackles, and seeing
that the prisoner had one foot upon
the chair near his bedside and his
right hand resting upon the back of
the chair, the brawny mechanic at
tempted to slip one of the shackles
over the foot so raised; but as if
with the vehemence and strength
that frenzy alone can impart, Mr..
Davis suddenly seized the iron worker
and hurled him half way across the
room.
Captain Titlow turned and seeing
that the prisoner had backed against
the wall for further resistance, began
to demonstrate with him. The Off
Ger tried to convince him that his
course was madness and that orders
had to be enforced at any COST
why compel me- he said, ito
add the further indignity of personal
violence to the necessity of your be-
ing irOned?'
l am a prisoner of war; fiercely
retorted Mr.. Davis. Il have been a
soldier in the armies of America,
and know how to die. Only kill
me and my last breath shall be
blessing on your head, but while
have life and strength to resist for
myself and my people this thing
shall not be done.'
Capt. Titlow now fully recognized
that the character of the man with
whom he had to deal was such as
could not be turned from what he
regarded as cardinal principles by
few soft words, as the wind moved
the leaves on the trees, and deter
mined to end the interview and put
the orders which had been given him
into effect as soon as possible, he
called in. sergeant and file of SOL
diers from the next room. The SER
geant advanced to seize the prisoner.
Immediately Mr.. Davis few at him,
seiZed his musket and attempted to
wrench 1t from his grasp. Or course,
such scene could have had but one
issue. There was short determined
struggle: In moment Mr.. Davis
was thrown on his bed, and before
the soldiers removed their hands
from him the blacksmith had done
his work.
This done. Mr.. Davis lay for a
moment as If in stupor. Then
slowly raising himself and turning
around, he dropped his shackled feet
to the floor. The clank of the chains
seemed to recall him to his situation,
and, hiding his face in his hands, he
sobbed passionately and cried: tOh! (!
the shame the shamev
With his feet bound by the heavy
and rudely constructed shackles, Mr..
Davis lay on his couch for several
days. The tray bearing food SINH
lar to that which was furnished to
to the hearty soldiers Of the fort, a
tin plate and a saucer were placed
beside him at regular intervals each
day and taken away untouched.
DIR. Craven saw that If Mr.. Davis
remained i'm shackles his death would
soon follow. His constitution was
broken down, his nerves shattered,
and his mind 5urdened. Accord
ingiy, at the earnest solicitation Of
the doctor, the shackles were re-
moved on the 2Sth day of May. DIR.
Craven also ommended that his
patient be allowed the use of tobacco,
and this privilege was granted.
For some time after his incarcera-
tion Bible and prayer-bGok were
all that Mr.. Davis was allowed TO
read. Newspapers were strictly
prohibited. On June oath permis-
sion was given him to have miscel-
laneous literature. On the same day
he was Informed that he would be
allowed to walk on the ramparts an