Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-16
PRESIDENT JEFF DAVIS His Anguish on Being IrOned at
 Fort Monroe. A STRONG APPEAL FAILED To Shake Captains Respect for. 0rders-A Leaf From the Diary.of the Resident
 Surgeon of the Fort in '65.

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 a prisoner within its walls. Tho diary gives graphic account of the prison life of MT. 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 unprejudiced testi- mony of a medical advisor who was not blind to the character and attainments of his patient. It covers period of about six months, during which time Dr. Craven attended the president of the Confederacy almost daily.
 On the morning of the 23d of May, 1865, 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 man of such eminence. On that morning he was shac- kled. Lieutenant Crayen's story of the circumstance is as follows
 Captain Jerome E. Titlow of tho Third Pennsylvania artillery entered the prison CTS cell, followed by the blacksmith of the fort and his assistant, the latter carry ing in his hands some heavy and harshly rattling shackles. Mir. Davis, feverish aft CT a sleepless 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 MT. Davis as they entered.
 "I have an unpleasant duty to perform, sir, said Captain Titlow, and as ho 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. He gasped for breath and clutohed 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, ap- bearing first to swell with indignation md 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 mef"
 "Such are my orders, sir, replied the officer, beckoning to the blacksmith to ap- proach.
 "This is too monstrousl' groaned the prisoner, glaring around the room es If for some weapon or means of self destruc- tion. 1T demand, captain, that you let me see the commanding officer. Can ho pre- tend that such shackles are required to &C., cure the safe custody of a weak old man in such fort as thisP"
 Ut could serve no purpose" replied Captain Titlow. "His orders arc from Washington, as mine are from him."
 But he can telegraph" insisted Mir. Davis eagerly "There must be some mis- take. No such outrage as you threaten me ( s,Ao x~f ..kt Beg him to telegraph and delay until he receives an answer"
 My orders are peremptory," said the officer, land admit of no delay. For your own sake lot 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 control of himself "They arc orders for jailer, for Q hangman, which no soldier wearing 0 sword should accept. I tell you the world will ring with this disgrace The war is over, the south is conquered. I have no longer any country but America, and it is for the honor of America as for my own honor in life, that I plead against this degradation. Kill mel kill mel" he cried passionately, throwing his arms wide open and exposing his breast, "rather than in flict on mo and on my people this insult worse than doath."
 "Do your duty, blacksmith" said the officer, walking toward the embrasure as if not caring to witness the performance. Ut only gives increased pain on all sides to protract this interview"
 At theso words the blacksmith advanced with the shaokles, and seeing that the prisoner had one foot upon the chair near his bedside and his right hand resting up- on the back of the chair the brawny me- chanio attempted to slip one of the shackles over tho foot so raised; but, as if with the vehemenco and strength of frenzy, 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 remon- strate with him.
 "I am a prisoner of war;" flercely re- torted Mir. Davis. "I 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"
 Captain Titlow now fully recognized that Vl6 CndrhCt6r Ol til6 iuuu Wluu Wuou he had to deal was such as could not be turned from what he regarded as cardinal principles of honor by few soft words, as the wind moves the leaves on the trees, and, determined to end the interview and put the orders which had been given him into effect as soon as possible, he called in a sergeant and file of soldiers from the next room. The sergeant advanced to seize the prisoner. Immediately Mir. Da- wis flew at him, seized his musket and at- tempted to wrench 1t from his grasp. Of course, such a scone could have but one issue. There was a short, determined struggle. In a moment Mir. Davis was thrown on his bed, and before the soldiers removed their hands the blacksmith had done his work.
 This done, Mir. Davis lay for 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: "Oh, the shamel The shamei"
 With bis feet bound by the heavy and rudely constructed shackles, MT. Davis lay on his couch for several days. The tray bearing food similar to that which was furnished to the hearty soldiers of the
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