Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-19
CAPTURE OF DAVIS.

ne nsgan this valuable and historf-
cal paper by showing that at the time
oil the arrest or seach for Jefferson
DaNis he was then in n helpless con-
elton ,a The order given to the party
was 10 capture or kill jeff Dayis'
VINO was then on the way to join his
forces. He then described the capture
OF Jefferson Davis, his family. and
some of the members OF his Cabinet.
who were with him. He gave the hiss
tory OF the report that Davis tried
10 escape in his wife's clothes. and
showed concIusively that all this was
mere rumor, and was absolutely
without Foundation. And here the
speaker called attention to the fact
that the main source OF his fnfcrnoa.
ton was the official reports of the
Government; that he had not gone To
any confederate. nor to any Southern
report. but spoke on the authority Of
the Federal reports. He proceeded
With his interesting narrative, saving
that on the 10Th of May. Davis, his
family, and others he mentioned among
whom was Joe Wheeler who Is "als
ways on hand (Appiause). File then
described infinitely and In q very fass
c'nating manner this landing Of the
prisoners; how, when surrounded by
threatening fortresses, and with not q
Confederate east OF the Mississippi In
sight, the prisoner was taken by the
arm, after having hid his wife and
yet his heart being filled with indigI
nation; held by the arm and surrounds
ed by guards on all sides. he waS
marched in the fort. Here he was to
General Miles. commissioned to this
duty as one who was sharp enough tn
handle JEFF. Davis"
Throughout his able Address. Capt.
Blackboard showed the uncalied for, uns
gallant and at times really ridiculous
Ia nl, 49,
prisoner. He was placed in a easement,
all windows and openings being barred.
In front. on both sides. and actually on
top, stood. not one, but lines of senti-
ncls To watch this feeble and failing old
man. whom boy OF Is could have
overcome, Then. he added. to the al
ready heap of insults Miles ordered
chains put upon Davis, who at first
resisted. Afterwards the Secretary of
rTrrrs, IF Il end
being informed that they were not
needed needed the public sentiment.
even prevailing in the North. and wrote
to Miles to have them removed, where
upon Miles replied with very lame
justification, saying he had only used
them until the wooden doors could bs
replaced, and had since removed them.
the letter OF removal having already
been received"
The prisoners asked that they be al.
ioWSu DiOie anu llttlc tOEAcCQ, ana
the speaker gave an account OF all the
red-tape and absurd precautions Miles
took in regard TO this simple request,
1t having been forwared by Miles to ali
in authority at Washington.
The speaker told among other incfS
dents, that Davis had a knotted tapa
he used for holding up a mosquito net,
and messenger was sent in asking
for what purpose he used this tame.
whereupon Davis replied, tell the
damned ass that Ii was used to keep
the mosquito net up" (Applause.) Tho
speaker remarked. never was the usa
OF an oath more excusable, and noyet
was Il substantive more expressiye.A
Great applause)
Very wildly, and with an appealing
force, were the conditions and hard1
ships of Davis confinement depleted.
Plainly unnecessary were the great
majority OF all the measures taken.
some verging on the border of abb
surdity. He spoke OF the precautions
taken when Davis received letter
from O'Conner, Offering his services as
counsel for Davis. 1t went through all
the officials hands before being deIivs
cred to him. and when Davis wished to
reply. Miles sent his request to tho
sIas
Continued on Page q.