The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-02-24
WIDOW OF CONFEDERATE PRES.
IDENT BREAKS LONG
SILENCE.
SHOW LETTER OR KEEP QUIET
MILES is ACCUSED OF CRUEL
TREATMENT TOWARD JET.
FERsoN DAVIS.

the Savannah Press, Mrs. Jefferson
Davis calls upon Gen. Nelson A. Miles
to produce letter which he is report
ed to have from her, thanking him for
his kind treatment of President Davis
at Fortress Monroe, or else to cease
reference to it. Her letter says in
part:
II have not the least memory of hav-
ing written, such note to him. 1t is
conceivable that whilst in ignorance
of the facts or in hopeful recognition
Of some improvement in the treatment
inflicted upon my husband, 1 have
made some acknowledgement of what
l may have constructed as comr.n
humanity at a time when, had known
the facts as they existed, neith or
could nor would have written save in
indignant protest.
Forty years have passed since Gen.
Miles perpesrated the cruelties for
which he is now undergoing some
measure of punishment at the hands
Of his own public. During that period
he has not hesitated to shift the re-
sponsibility for his acts upon others.
Actions Not Justified.
1.-THE publication of the instructions
under which he claims to have acted.
and the correspondence which led to
these have long since convinced every
candid mind that his treatment of Mr..
Davis was gratuitous, neither justified
nor required by the orders OF his su-
periors.
1.-THE public attention cannot be de-
flected from the terrible charges under
which Gen. Miles rests, by a contro-
versy over a letter concerning even
the existence of which no stronger
proof is advanced than the bare asser-
ton of Gen. Miles. But in so far as it,
may be of any Importance, my esti-
mate of Gen. Miles character is such
that am constrained to demand that
if the letter exists, Photographic re-
production, showing the date, the
place of writing, the contents and the
signature be given to the public. If it
is of the vital importance which Gen.
Miles seems to claim, surely the situa-
the slight trouble involved would be
justified. s436
Care Used in Accusations.
''In memoir Of Mr.. Davis life
written by myself after his death ex
posed Gen. Miles as fully as thought
was needful, but purpose!y added very
little to the testimony of Gen. Miles
subaltren, DR.. Craven, furnished in his
Prison Life of Jefferson Davis print
ed and published whilst Mr. Davis was
still prisoner. had experienced SO
many times Gen. Miles adroit eva
sions and substitutions Of his own in
vention for the truth in other matters
that I did not choose to rest on my un.
supported testimony.
"In letter to the New York World
my daughter answered Gen. Miles un-
truthful version Of his conduct given
to the public after forty years of pu-
tative silence, broken only by rumors
of secret observation of his innocence
and invective against me. and in many
other Of the devious ways with which
he seems familiar.
Desires No Controversy.
"While the witnesses were alive
why did he not put in his defense and
tax his subaltran with falsehood?
Awakened to the Nervousness of his
conduct by a closer association with
educated gentlemen, he doubtless feels
the shame which stabs and clings to
him, now that the passions attendant
upon war are passing away and he
stands forth revealed to his country
men in his true light. We are eau
toned in holy writ not to bring rail-
ing accusation against any sinner.
however great his fault, and do not
desire any controversy with any one.
especially not with one whose percep-
lions of truth are so vague and misty.
Respectfully,
"V. Jefferson Davis"
. . . !. = q +. II f = 2 u = .