The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-29

In the issue OF your paper OF March
10Th. 1904. appears Q communication
from Mr.. Gamaliel Bradford OF Boston.
urging h southern people to support
General Nelson A Miles for the presi-
dency OF the United States. and Incl
IDENTIFY defending General Miles % his
cruel treatment or President Davis
while prisoner OF war in Fortress
Monroe.
Nj. Bradford says written orders
were given Miles by the secretary o.
war. TO place manacleS upon the hands
might think it advisable to big
/, OF course, know nothing OF the &C
curacy OF hi statement. but assum-
ing ii to be true. I would ask Mr.. Brad
ford. could General Miles. a ma of or
binary sense, have believed IL necessary
to put irons upon this physically weak
n sick VI man, to prevent his escape
he being at the time under medical
treatment by the physician Of the Fort.
Dr.. John ]. Craven?
Mr.. Bradford says light letters"
were placed upon his ankles" VIVA.
are the facts?
DR.. Craven in his history OF the
Prison Life of Jefferson Davis says
Mr.. avis was confined in a stone case
ment. two guards, fully armed, were
kept constantly on watch. night and
day. in this prison and a strong detail
Of soldiers. under an officer. was sta
toned in the adjoining room. Mr..
Davis was feverish and weary after q
~sleeplesS night,-sick in bed.--the food
placed near him. the preceding day
still lying untouched on its tin plate.
near his bedside-Dr. Craven prescrib-
ing for him. and administering medi-
cines. Under these circumstance
could there have been any ground To
apprehend his escape even if he had
been a strong young man? Yet he was
mancledi
= But Mr.. Bradford says light letters
were placed upon his ankles to pre-
vent his escap
DR.. raven. a United States officer.
Of pronounced republican principles and
Of the straitest sect. says the officer
assigne dto he duty Of securing Mr..
Davis safe keeping entered the
prisoners cell, followed by the black
smith of the fort. and his assistant.
the latter carrying in his hands some
heavy and harshly rafting shackIes.
These letters were of heavy iron, PROB
ably five eighths of an inch in thick
ness, and connected together ny a
chain Of like weight / believe they
are now in possession Of Major General
Miles and will form an interesting
relic" (Sic.)
Mr.. Bradford's idea of light fet-
ters." and those Of DR.. Craven seems to
be at variance.
Mr.. Davis attempted % resist this
manacling.
The officer called in a sergeant and
file OF soldiers from the next room
There was a short. passionate scufnt
! OF course such a scene could have bu,
one issue. In a moment this weak and
sick old man was flung Upon his bed
and before his foul powerful assailant:
removed their hands from him, ths
blacksmith and his assistant had dom
their work. Shame! Shame!!
| Mr.. Davi exclaimed This is too
| monstrous. I tel lyou the world viii
| ring with this disgrace. I have beer
a soldier in the armies Of America ana
| know no VITO die. Only kill me, and ny
last breath shall be a blessing on YOU
head"
/ tell you, Mr.. Editor. / cannot ever
now. read the account of this shame
full. savage cruelty. without unwonteC
moisture coming to my eyes.
Yet we are asked to approve Nelson
| A. Miles. as our candidate for III
presidency!
I never cast a republican vote in nj,
life. yet l would vote for B.. F. Butler
if living. preferably to Nelson A. Miles
I observe Mr.. Bradford repeats tn,
SANDER against Mr.. Davis. which h.
ought to know, has been repeatedly de
MED upon the authority Of Mr.. DAVIS
himself. and of Mr.. Reagan. ex-mem
Der of from Texas who wa:
present when Mr.. Davis was arrested
He says II was captured in disguise.
Now the facts are. Mr.. Davis was II
a tent with his family. and heard tn
tramping of cavalry outside. which h,
supposed proceeded from a troop O
mounted marauderS, reported to hav,
been in the n~eighborhood. Hr. Davi
started to go out of the tent TO NEE
these marauders and defend if neces.
| sary his family. The day being danny
and raw, he picked I'D a Raglan
lying IN a stool. near the door of hi:
tent. N threw it over his shoulders
| Stepping out of the tent. he was halted
by a United states officer in charge o
a squad Of soldiers. who immediatel,
placed him under arrest. There wa
no disguise. or attempt Of disguise.
Again. Mr.. Bradford is equally mac
curate when he says General Miles
used every p~recaution to protect Mr.
Davis health and gave orders to DR.
Craven his physician to give Mr.. Dayi:
Everything that would tempt his ar.
petite, n everything needed to pre-.
/ Z VIC Ailili ~ cIiIN oil a.
DR.. Craven on the contrary says
Nr. Davis was furnished only with thu
same rations that the common soldier
had. which were utterly unsuited for ar
| aged and sick man.
DR.. Craven therefore took upon him.
self to supply Mr.. Davis with more
suitable food from his own table. AND
this food was prepared and served t.
his patient by his (Dr. Cs) own daugh.
| ter. All honor to this Kind and sym.
| pathetic physician!
1t has been whispered. I know no
with what truth. hat the ration:
served Mr.. Davis by General Miles
order were medicated. At any rate h
onlv commenced to improve after az
had by DR.. Craven's advice ceased II
eat these rations.
AS another instance OF General Miles
"p~recaution" to protect Mr. Davis
| health-Mr. Davis having been captur
ed In mid summer. was only supple!
with light clothing. and as the season
advanced suffered much from cold
DR.. Craven sent to Washington, anc
ordered an overcoat for his distinguish.
l IL -o