Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-22
A NOTABLE HISTORIC PAPER Err.
'The Trials and Trial of Jefferson Davis" Read by
Charles M. BIackford, Of Lynchburg, Before
the Virginia State Bar Association


gfnfe State Bar Association was that
entitled 1.-The Trials and Trial of JEFF
Serson Davis" by Charles M. Black
Eerd, OF Lynchburg. Va. read before
the association Wednesday evening
sass. during its twelfth annual meet
ting, at Hotel Chambcrlin. OLD Point
Comfort.
The subject is OF such great histori-
cal Importance and 1t was handled in
such q mastery manner that the Vlr
ginian-Pilot to-day presents the major
portion of the address to its thousands
bf readers throughout the South.
After describing the pursuit, arrest
and charges against the great Presi-
Gent of the Southern Confederacy. Mr..
Blackford spoke as follows:
On the 2Sth day of November, the
Rev. Charles Minnegerode asked per-
mission to see Mr.. Davis as his spir-
stual adviser. which request, after be-
ing pondcred by the Secretary of War,
the Attorney-General and the Adju-
tant.General, was granted, and an or
der to that effect was sent to the rev.
erond gentleman. who. on the 9Th of
December, 1865 presented the same to
General Mics. who. fearing some dead
ly plot wired the Acknowledgement to
know if the order was genuine and
whether the old doctor should be AID
mitted. On the 10th his fears were put
to rest. and the order was verified.
C21 War of Rebellion, $40. S35). DR..
Minnegerode. however. had to give n
species of ecclesiastical parole. coniin-
ing his conversation strictly TO ghoStly
topics. Qd. ST4(.
On the Cd OF October, 1865. because of
the representation OF the medical OIL
Ger attending Mr.. Davis. he was re-
m no tnr In
Carroll Hail." in the fortress. and was
In every respsnt very much more com
Portable.
On the 25th of April 1866. Mrs. Davis,
hearing her husband was failing rapid
IL, teleSraphed the President for per-
mission 10 Visit him. Tho President
referred It to tho Secretary OF War and
ne ordered General Miles to permit
Mrs. Davis to visit her husband, un
der such restrictions as might be con-
sistcnt with the safety OF the prisoner,
upon her giving Il satisfactory parole.
I'D. 900-1).
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-
pany;ng his report with that of the
medical officer in charge.
On the 25th or April. 1865. DR.. George
F. Cooper. the surgeon, reported to
General Miles as follows:
II would respectfully report that the
general health OF state prisoner JET
feraon Davis is not ns good as Mt my
last report. His appetite is falling and
his MUSCULAR strength is diminishing.
lie shows an incipicnt totterin3 in his
gait, etc
transmitted this report, but ovcrruied
tie mcdca! expert, saying: I'm seeing
him every day I have been unable to
discover the changC.'
SITTER this MI. Davis was permitted
10 have an interview with his counsel.
and WAS allowed some of the comforts
rivcn prisoners of = high rank. pr!n-
cipal AMONGST which was tho privilege
a. Trio ground in tho day time. Genera.
Niles, In his dolly reports, ceased 10
call him "Jefl Davis" as ha5 boon hts
wont, and IL all oflicia! cornmunica-
lions spoke Of him rs state Prisoner
Jefferson Davis
SOLDIERS TOLD THE FACTS.
II is n matter cf some interest To
know what brought about those changes
for tho hcttCr. Any ono noting the re
cords Will -oor a@ccrr1in ;he cause.
Great care was taken and Tie most
rigid rules pycsrribcI 10 prevent the
outside word in ANY way learning any
thing about the "scc:ctS of tie prison
house. and Tor =. long time tho efforts
were succeSStul i3Ut the hardy Vet
Grams Of the fort Ill; indignant that
they should he constantly ordered TO
perform the duties Of h0iiiff in guard
ing sick and feeble old man. whom
youth OF fifteen could have over
mastered. Their manly natures were
shocked at what they saw, and no dis
cpiinc could Keep their tongues from
wagging: herce gradually tho public
rress, both North and South, COM
menced to make most Significant in
Qulries. and thcn to charge wrong, in
Justice and wanton cruelty.
THE PUBLIC INDIGNANT.
About the goth OF Nay, 1866, ono of
Surgeon Coorcrs reports as to Mr..
Davis health, ana the causes of It's de
precision became public. ana created
an ou,burst OF Indignation. which
found voce in the newSpa pers Of both
parties and all sections. From n lonS
article in the New York World some
extracts are worthy OF note. The edi
tor Says. after referring 10 the sur
geon'S report:
1T cannot be read by any honorable
and right-mirded American, no matter
what his sectional feelings or his poll
ticai opinions may be, without sick
enng sensation OF shame for his coun-
try and a burning flush of indignation
against the persons who have profit
tuted their official position to innict
upon the American name an incifacea-
BILE brand of disgrace by the wanton
and wicked torture OF an invalid. lying
helpless prisoner IN the strongest
fortress of the Union"
Similar articles appeared In other
papers, both North and South. These
articles were kecnly felt by General
Niles and on the Goth OF May. 1866. he
wrote TO Acknowledgement Townsend,
enclosing him n number OF extracts
from the papers, of which he COM
planned very bitterly. lie avcrred he
had done nothing but obey orders, and
that the press was doing him great in
Justice. I'D. 914)