The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-08-30
SHACKLES PUT ON
JEFFERSON DAVIS
BY Order OF Gen. Miles,
Says Capt. TitlOw.
HUMILIATION WAS RESENTED
By President OF Confederacy,
Who Fought FierceIy
With CaptOrs.
BE DEMANDED DEATH INSTEAD
HUMILIATION WAS RESENTED
BE DEMANDED DEATH INSTEAD
tBy Mrs. L. NJ. Cheshire. }

Shame. and not fame, is the ever
lasting portion for Gen. Nelson A,
Miles as the man who had shackles
put on Jefferson Davis while he was
a prisoner at Fortress Monroe.
Notwithstanding the fact that
Gen. Miles has endeavored in every
way possible to place the blame for
this deed on the shoulders of other
parties, on the ground that he was
simply carrying out instructions in
placing the President of the Confed-
eracy in irons, the facts are decided
ly against the General.
Assistant Secretary of War Dana
had been sent to Fortress Monroe,
on the 22d of May, 1865, bearing an
order from Secretary Stanton to Gen.
Miles that if you think it necessary
you can have Davis and c. c. Clay
manacled." After Mr.. Dana reached
Fortress Monroe and made an inves-
tigation. he wired Secretary Stanton
that he had not issued the order to
have Mr.. Davis and Clay placed in
irons, that Gen. Halleck was oppos-
ed TO it: but that Gen. Miles had
been instructed to have letters ready
'if he thinks them necessary" Gen.
Miles was to act on his own volition,
and he thought it necessary to have
Davis manacled, and the day after
the instructions or authority had
been issued-May 23, 1S65-rresi-
dent Jefferson Davis was put liz
irons.
Capt. Jerome B. Titlow, Company
X, Third Pennsylvania heavy artil-
lery. who was the officer of the day
at Fortress Monroe, gave out this
authentic statement, which was read
before Lafayette Post No. 20, G. A.
R., Washington, d. c.:
Il found Jefferson Davis occupy
ing easement No. 2, in the first row:
c. c. Clay. fourth easement, in same
row; John Mitchell, easement No. 6,
came row. the embrasures of which
were closed with heavy iron bars
looking out of the moat or ditch,
which was about six feet wide.
In the easement We're two senti-
nels and a lieutenant of the guard,
all under lock and key, the officers
of the day having charge of the
LOT 90
the day for next days duty. | re-
leved Capt. Bispham and reported
to Gen. Miles for orders in regard to
the prisoners. His orders We're to
hold no communication with them
except what was absolutely neces-
sary.
i found Davis a man of few
words and those tinctured with bit
terness. II having been reported
to Gen. Miles that Davis was moody
and morOse, the General gave me
orders to search the prisoner thor
oughly and to take everything away
from him, money and anything that
he would be likely to do himself
harm with. | went to Davis case
meDt and told him that | had orders
to search him. He complied with
some reluctance and contempt. He
first turned his pockets and handed
me some $3.50 in Confederate notes
and $50 or $40 in gold and silver.
some keys and a very handsome
pocket knife. | noticed a silk cord
around his neck under his under
shirt. | said, Mr.. Davis, what have
you there?' After some little hest
tation he drew it from under his
undershirt; attached to a cord was
small silver Catholic medal. He
pleaded with me to let him retain
the medal. as II was a gift from the
Pope of Rome. After some little
hesitation J concluded to let him
keep it. After turning over the eff A.,
fects TO Gen Miles l reported what
] had done in regard TO the medal.
and the General said, That is all
right; he cannot do much harm
with that
During all the time that the
prisoners We're at Fortress Monroe
there was considerable newspaper
talk and whispering that there was
an expedition forming TO rescue Da- ,
Wis. On the morning of May 23.
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 spe-
cial orders for me as to Jefferson !
Davis; having heard II rumored that D.
morning that Davis was 10 be put
IN irons, Gen. Miles showed mo a
part of a letter from Secretary Stan
ton, in which he said If he thought
the safety Of Davis required IL. he