The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1905-02-04
Says He Did Not Humiliate Jeff
Davis.
Placed Light Irons ON Him Because
II Was Ncccssary-Causcd Con-
fcdcratc Leader No Pain.
MENTIONS THE ARMY BILL,

boston, MaSs.s req. 4.-Iieut.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles decided yester-
day to reply to some of the charges
which have recently been made
against him In the house of repre-
sentatlves at Washington. Gen.
Miles declares no attempt was made
to heap indignities upon President
jefferson Davis of the Confederacy
after he had surrendered to the fed.
eral authorities.
81 would suggest that the facts be
examined in the case of the shackel-
ing of jefferson Davis at Fortress
Monroe said Gen. Miles, land |
would say positively that there was
no attempt made to humiliate him at
hat time. He did not come to pris-
On as the president of the Confedera-
cy or commander-in-chi OF the Con
federate army.
ION May 2, 1865. Andrew John
son, president of the United States,
issued a proclamation. in which he
aid: 1T appears from evidence in
the bureau of military justice, that
he atrocious murder of the late Pres
dent Abraham Lincoln. and the at
tempted assassination of the Hon.
William II. Seward. secretary of state
were melted. concerted and procur-
ID by and between jefferson Davis.
Clement c. Clay. Beverly Tucker.
George ~ Saunders william c. Gle
ary and other rebels and traitors
against the government of the Unit
cd States, harbored in Canada.
"On May 22. 1865. c. A. Dana. as
iistant secretary of war. authorized
and directed me. i'm a special order,
% place mJnaoles and letters upon
The hands and feet of jefferson Da-
Wis and Clement c. Clay. whenever
he may think IT advisable. in order to
render their Imprisonment more Sc
cure. Mr. Davis. In his book. admits
he intended TO attempt to unhorse a
man and escape on his mount. Daily
notices of plots which were formed
10 effect the escape or rescue of Mr..
Davis were sent me. with directions
to take every precaution to prevent
H.
Light anklets were placed on Mr..
Davis. lie knocked over a strong
man who was helping to do IL. The
lnklets were kept on FIVE days. only
while wooden door was being re-
moved and an iron-grated one substi-
tuted. Some of the workmen were
men friendly to the Confederacy
THE anklets gave Davis no pain
and did not prevent him from walk
ing. They were designed to prevent
him from attempting TO escape, do
himself or any one else injury
There was not the least desire on the
part of any TO place indignity upon
Mr., Davis or In any way humiliate
him. Mr.. Davis at the time was SO
Years OF age. strong and agile,
Letters To me from Mrs. Davis
and Mrs Clay, thanking me for my
,ourtesles to them, statements I'M
Ter oath from army officers as to my
humane and considerable treatment
Of Mr.. Davis and other statements in
my possession prove that | did treat
Mr. Davis with all the kindness that
could be shown him under the cir
Cumstances,
"If should die tomorrow the Hull
bill would not affect me, but would
affect many good officers and also
the national guard, II | get through
here before July /, | will miss its
mark. II is not bill of economy, as
some declare, II they want to save
| can show them where they can save
millions"