The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-08-08

that entitled ''Thc Trials and Trial
of Jefferson Davis by Charles NJ
Blackford, Of Lynchburg, Va, read
before the association Wednesday
evening last during its twelfth annual
meeting, at Hotel Chambcrlin, Old
Point Comfort.
The subject is Of great historical
Importance and it was handled in
mastcrly manner.
After describing the pursuit, arrest
dent of the Southern Confcdcracy,
Mr.. Blackford spoke as follows:
On the 2Sth day Of November, the
Rev. Charles Minnegcrodc asked per
mission to sec Mr.. Davis as his spirit
ual adviser, which request, after
being pondcrcd by the Secretary Of
War, the Attorney General and the
Adjutant General, was granted, and
an order to that effect was sent to the
reverend gentleman, who, on the 9th
Of December, 1865, presented the
same to General Miles, who, fearing
some deadly plot, wired the Adjutant
General to know if the order was
genuine and whether the old doctor
should be admitted. On the 10Th his
fears were put TO rest, and the order
was verified. U21 War Of Rebellion,
$40, 1857. DR.. Nlinncgerodc how.
astical parole, confning his conversa
tion strictly to ghostly topics. I'D.
S74).
On the I'd Of October, 1868, because
Of the representation Of the medical
officer attending Mr.. Davis, he was
removed to very much better room
in Carroll Hall, in the fortress, and
was in every respect very much more
comfortable.
On the 25th of April, 1866, Mrs.
Davis, hearing her husband was failing
rapidly, tclcgraphed the president for
permission to visit him. The Prcsi-
dent referred it to the Secretary Of
War and he ordered General Miles to
permit Mrs. Davis to visit her hus-
band, under such restrictions as might
be consistent with the safety Of the
prisoner, upon her giving a satisfac-
tory parole. I'D. 90OD.
MIR. DAVIS CONDITION.
During this long period the major
general commanding had almost daily
reported The physical and mental con-
dition of his prisoner, often accom-
panying his report with that Of the
medical officer in charge
On the 25th Of April, 1866, DR..
George f. Cooper, the surgeon, re-
ported to General Miles as follows:
II would respectfully report that
the general health Of State prisoner
Jefferson Davis is not as good as at
my last report. His appetite is fail
ing and his muscular strength is d.
minishing. He shows an incipient
tottering in his gait, etc."
The major general commanding
transmitted this report, but overrnlcd
the medical expert, saying: "In
seeing him every day l have been una
BILE to discover the change"
After this Mr.. Davis was permitted
to have an interview with his counsel,
and was allowed some Of the comforts
given prisoners Of high rank, pripci-
pal amongst which was the privilege
of the ground in the day time. Gen
cral Miles, in his daily reports, ceased
to call him "Jeff Davis" as had been
his want, and in his official communi
cations spoke Of him as estate Pris-
oner Jefferson Davis"
SOLDIERS TOLD TIE FACTS.
1t is a matter Of some interest to
know what brought about these
changes for the better. Any one not
ing the records will soon ascertain the
cause. Great care was taken and the
most rigid rules prescribed to prevent
the outside world in any way learning
anything about the ''secrcts Of the
prison house and for long time the
efforts were successful. But the
hardy veterans of the fort felt indig-
nant that they should be constantly
ordered to perform the duties Of q
bailiff in guarding sick and feeble
old man, whom youth of fifteen
could have over mastered. Their
manly natures were shocked at what
they saw, and no discipline could
keep their tongues from wagging;
lhence, gradually the public press,
both North and South, commenced to
make most significant inquiries, and
then to charge wrong, injustice and
wanton cruelty.
THE PUBLIC INDIGNANT.
About the 10th OF May, 1866, one OF
Surgeon Cooper's reports as to MIR.
Davis health and the causes of its
depression became public, and created
an outburst of indignation, which
found voice in the newspapers of both
parties and all sections. From long
article in the New York World some
extracts are worthy Of note. The
editor says, after referring to the sur
geon's report:
"It cannot be road by any honora-
bic and right-minded American, no
matter what his sectional feelings or
his political opinions may be, without
a sickening sensation of shame eor his
country and burning flush of indig-
nation against the persons who have
prostituted their official position to
inAiot upon the American name an
ineffaceable brand Of disgrace by the
wanton and wicked torture of an inva-
r. A@1~7ooc ~