The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-02-23
Tuscunnbia Chapter.

The local Chapter or the united Daugn-
tiers of the Confederacy celebrated Lees
birthday in a very fitting manner last
Tuesday afternoon at the home OF the
President, Mrs. j. n. Thompson, whose
home was beautifully and appropriately
decorated This memorial had been ar
ranged for January II. but circumstances
necessitated postponement until the
above date. The program for the after
non consisted of a solo, beautifully rem
dered. by Mrs. VIII Rowland, followed
by an address on Lee by John ID. Rattle
er, Jr. The address was eminently appro-
pirate to the occasion, being a panegyric
on Lee as a soldier, general and man.
In this the speaker, after eulogizinB
him in these different phases and depict
ing the love and veneration with which
he Is regarded by the Northern people,
paid a glowing tribute to the women of
tho Confederacy in his usual happy man
ner. After the address refreshments were
served to those present who were the
members of the Chapter and few guests
invited for the occasion.
During the recent visit of Mrs. Jeffer-
son Davis to Birmingham, at the inform
al reception held in the parlors of the
Morris, an old man approached, saying
will you shake hands with me? was
on the, other side Instantly Mrs. Da-
Wis extended her hand, but the stranger
continued, II had charge of your hus-
band at Fortress Monroe" Her hand
rested moment on the arm of her
chair while the veteran added, but even
then as now, had nothing but the kind
est of feelings for him." '1f there was
any kindness felt at that time We never
knew it," said Mrs. Davis. but l am
willing to shake hands with you" and
If her grasp lacked some of the cordial
ity of her former greetings, none won
dered nor blamed her for ii.
This incident brings to mind the dread
full treatment Of President Davis after
his capture on May II. 1865. He himself
once wrote, "Whlle prisoners We were
subjected To anuoyances such as mill
tarY gentlemen never commit or permit"
OF those months and months of agony
and humiliation at Fortress Monroe in
which no was treated as tho vilest of
criminals, and in which his torture was
equal to the days of the 1nquisitiOn. no
human being has ever fully realized the
extent SO that it is small wonder Mrs.
Daviss whole countenance changed when
that stranger at Birmingham informed
her of being in charge at Fortress Mon
roe What her feelings were, as her men,
orY went back 10 that terrible time, only
our Father in eaven can know. and
only His divine power could give her
heart the forgiveness necessary to enable
her to clasp that Union soldiers hand.
1t was due to the urgent advice of John
]. Craven. Post Surgeon. who saw that
Mr.. Davies was dying for want of prop
er air and diet as well as other atten-
tons, that he was first relieved of the
heavy shackles and allowed open air ex-
erciSe, use OF books and other reading
matter, excepting newspapers and
finally removed from the damp, foul
dungeon to more comfortable quarters In
Carroll Hall after reaching which he OK
claimed. well the world does move,
after all"
Here during his daily walk on the ram
parts. the friends Of those in authority
were allowed to come and gaze at him
las though he WERE" as DIR. Craven
wrote. some Gagged monster OF some
travelling menagerie.' School girls, head
ed by their teachers. came down to the
fort and were allowed to intercept him In
the restricted walk he took with Cen
eral Miles uhe man who caused his tor
ture). for his companion. During his last
walk, when he saw a group of ladies
waiting for his appearance. he turned and
re-entered his cell. Valuable as that eX-
ercise was, that was one price he would
not consent to purchase 1t with
Mr.. Davis was imprisoned two years
before he was arraigned and released on
bail. and Horace Greedy and Gerritt
Smith. the distinguished abolitionists,
were among the signers of his bond.
Always he was anxious for his trial and
never expressed any uneasiness as to its
result, it was only its delay that anaoys