The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-19
The Defence OF Gen. Miles.

The State.
There has been sent TO The State an anony-
nous pamph let purnorting 10 give IA state.
ment OF the facls concerning the imprison-
ment and treatment OF Jefferson Davis while
a military N prisoner at Fort Monroe. Va, In
1855 and 1866 "
understand that the southern people under
! stand this matter. He is entitled 10 his de-.
fepse and his defense Is entitled to fair con.
sderation but II is q weak defense and In this
exhibition Of 1t there is nothing new and
nothing stronger than has been put forward
before.
The pamphlet begins by quoting the pro-
camatlon OF President Andrew johnson OF
May q 1865, charging j. fterson Davis With
completely In the conspiracy to assassinate
MIR. Lincoln.
After submitting President Johnson's pro-
clamation the pamphlet offers these circum-
stances az extenuating evidence In behalf OF
Miles.
Jefferson Davis did not surrender when
the capital OF the Confederacy, Richmond,
was captured. He did not surrender with
his principal armies when they aurrep dered
under Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston,
but 1t WIS his In ten tion, az he admits in bis
own book. ''The Rise and Fail Of the Confed:
cross cross the Mississippi so that he could join The
Con federate army in that section and con.
tipue The war. He was hunted down and
caught In the disguise OF woman near
Selma, A abama. The waterproof and shawl
which covered his male attire were taken
and sent TO the war department at Washing.
ton. where they still remain. and he was sent
to Fortress Monroe to await trial on the
charge of completely in the assassination Of
Mr.. Lincoln"
II is almost foolish to drag In the oftdisprov-
ed allegation that Mr.. Davis was when
| captured In feminine attire. He denied IT,,
his wife has denied II and bis captors have
denied 1t. It has been indisputabIy estab.
lished that Mr.. DAVIS simply put shawl
around bis shoulders 10 protect himself from
IT, xuha % m tn
captors. This circumstance gave rise TO the
assertion that he bad affected a woman's dis.
guise but IL has been 80 frequently e4plaine ed
by the best OF authority that It is surprising a
renewal OF the ialsehood should be made at
this time. 1t most certainly does not help
Gen. Miles, for there is no possible connec.
ton between the circumstances as related
and the schacklipg Of Mr.. Davis in Fort
"The details for the close custody OF Mr..
Davis were drawn up oy Major General Hal
leck, commanding That department, IN per.
son, and In bis own handwriting. The last
paragraph Of the instructions reads as fol-.
u. The commanding general Of the district
Is authorized to lake any additional precau.
u H. ". HsIIeek. y. 5. Y, Com'd'g. To Bvt.
Maj; Gen'!. Miles, MI C. Co%d,x; o % ,xsS &c.
"The assistant secretary OF war. Charles, A.
Dana, went to Fortress Monroe, by direction
of the secretary OF war, 70 see that every de
tall was properly arranged for the safe custo-
dy OF the prisoner, and, In bis own hand.
writing, be wrote the following order a. an
additional precaution against the possibility
of any escape, or attempt TO escape, and also
against the possibility OF the prisoner doing
any violence to himself or 10 any member OF
'A' Fortress Monroe, May @, 1885,
"Brevet Msjor General Miles is hereby
authorized and directed TO place maoacles
nda Far.
son Davis and Clement G. Clay whenever he
NAV think It advisable In order 10 render
their Imprisonment more secure.
"By order OF the secretary OF war:
Assistant Secretary OF War"
This effort TO shift the blame upon Mr.. Dana
Is unsuccessful for the reason that the order
quoted leaves II TO Gen. Miles to determine
when II should be lad visable' 10 manacle the
ex president OF the Cunfederacy. Realizing
that this plea is inconcuslve. the pamphlet
seeks 10 show that there was reason for think
ing II lad visabe," saying:
Mr.. Dana, In his official report TO the score.
tary of war, described the appearance and
condition OF Jefferson Davis at that time In
the following language: ,, .. ~,
titude. His face was some bat flushed. but
"his features were composed ana bis step hrm.
In Clay's manner there was lesR expression
OF bravado and dramatic cdelermination."
Modification was sent 70 The officials al
Fortress Monroe Of several plots which were
formed 10 effect the escape or rescue OF Davis,
and they were directed to take every pre-.
his con ement was one OF the easements OF
The fort then occupied by one Of the officers
of the fort with his family. The officer and
his family we're moved out OF the rooms and
Mr.. Davis placed in them.
ITO comply with what was authorized and,
In fact, suggested by the orders OF both Assis-
tant Secretary Dana add Major: General
ankles OF Jefferson Davis 10 order to prevent
the possibility OF bis attempting " jump
past the guards or commit any act OF Vlo'
ence while the wooden doors were being re.
moved from the room which be occupied and
gI ated doors substituted. These did not pre-.
vent his walking about the room, but would
have prevented him from running, II, by any
chance, an opportunity had occurred. The
change OF doors was completed 10 nve days
and The anklets we're then removed. During
this time mechanics we're constantly going
In and out OF the rooms. II will be remem
the connivancs Of physician and mechanics
who were employed In his prison."
There il no reason for saying that Mr..
Dana's order imposed upon Miles The o6iiEa.
assmeG Sn to Il M Ss %osas could
make 1t palmer than is done by that order
hat the matter was left TO the discretion OF
Gen. Miles and bis ever, attempt to SHIFT the
IesPonsioiIity only places him IN more
Gen. Niles defender tells us little further
on in his anonymous production that Mr..
Davis was at that time "strong and agile,"
but how could even "strong and agile"
man Jump past the guard or commit any
act OF violence" without being shot by the
soldiers on duty9
The real Issue is this: Here was imprisoned
q man who had served bis country In The
army, in congress, In the senate and as
secretary Of wur-in each position distinguish.
Ing himself for ability and probilty OF charac-
ter. He was no common criminal. no des.
perate assassin, but q soldier who had proved
his courage and statesmon who in more
posts than one had demonstrated the sin.
cerity OF his patriotism q political leader In
whom trust had been reposed by two great
governments. Yet Nelson A. Miles thought
1t advisable 10 shackle this man while strong.
or doors we're being put In TO prevent bis es.
cape.
But because he bore himself with dignity
and looked down In disdain upon the uU.
cultured dandy who guarded him, be was
suspected OF a desire to run like hunted
hare. That he fought the menials who
placed his an k es In front, that"he knocked
down one powerful man and II took four
strong men TO hold him." is everlastingy to
his credit. Jefferson Davis, whatever faults
he may have bad, was never q coward and
never took an insult.
Had he manfully accepted responsibility
for his error. acknowledged regret and plead
ed passion and youth In extenuation. the peo-
pie OF the south would perhaps have better
opinion OF Nelson A. Miles.