The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-03-28


prisonmcnt Of Jefferson Davis, written
eleven years ago by Captain Jerome b.
Titlow, Company X, Third Pcnnsyl-
vania heavy artillery, the man who
placed the irons on the former prcsi-
dent of the Confcdcracy, was read this
week by Dr. Elmer Il. Reynolds. sen
ior vice commander of Lafayette post,
G. A. r., at a meeting of the post, says
a Washington. ID. G., dispatch to the
Chicago Tribune of March Dist.
DIR. Reynolds stated that he met
Capt Titlow in North Dakota fifteen
years ago and requested him to write
the true story of Jefferson Davis in
generation at Fortress Monroe. This
Capt Titlow did, and DIR. Reynolds
now has in his possession the only
copy Of the paper in existence.
DR.. Reynolds stated that Capt. Tit
lows account differs in detail from the
accounts published by others, notably
| DIR. Craven, who was Jefferson Davis
physician at the time of his inprisOn-
mcnt
After an account of his own life,
Capt. ritlOw said:
"a few days after the fall of Rich
mond | got leave to he absent forty
eight hours and II pass and proceeded
to Richmond. I reached Richmond in
the morning and found the fire still
smouldcring in the ruins of the city.
I found that special and strict orders
had been issued that no citizens what
ever should be allowed to enter the
garrison.
| II found Jefferson Davis occupying
easement No. 9, in first row; @. @.
Clay, fourth easement in same row; !;
John Mitchell, easement No. G, same
row, the cmbrasurcs of which were
closed with heavy iron bars looking
out on the moat or ditch, which was
about sixty feet wide.
| "In the easement were two sentincls
and a lieutenant Of the guard, all un-
der lock and key, the officers of the
day having charge of the key. l
was detailed as officer of the day
for duty next day. l relieved Capt.
Rispham and reported to Gen. Miles
for orders in regard to the prisoners
His orders were to hold no commune
cation with them except what was alb
solutcly necessary.
"I found Davis a man of few words.
ana those tincturcd with bitterness 1t
having been reported to Gen. Miles
that Davis was moody and morose,
the general gave orders to search the
prisoner thoroughly and to take every
thing away from him, money and any
thing that he would be likely to do
himself bodily harm with. went to
Davis cascmate and told him that l
was ordered to search him thoroughly.
He complied with some reluctance and
contempt. He first turned his pockets
and handed me some $3.50 in Confed-
crate notes and 500 or $40 in gold and
silver, some keys and handsome
pocket knife. / noticed silk cord
around his neck under his undershirt.
I said, 'Mr. Davis, what have you
thcreY ....
"Aftcr some little hesitation he drew
from under his undcrshirt attached to
the cord n small silver Catholic medal.
He pleaded with me to let him retain
the medal, MS it was a gift from the
pope of Rome After some little hesi-
tatiOn I came to the conclusion to let
him retain IT, After turning over the
effects to Gen. Miles 1 reported to
him what did in regard to the medal,
and the general said: THAT is all right;
he cannot do much with that
During all this time that the pris-
oncrs were at Fort Monroe there was
considerable newspaper talk and whis-
pcring that there was an expedition
forming to rescue Davis. On the
morning of May %, 1865, was again
detailed as officer of the day and
again reported to the general, as the
new officer of the day. The general
said he had special orders for me as
to Jefferson Davis, having heard 1t
.aE