The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-08-11

old soldier and you know what orders
are His reply was i am an old sol
der and | know how to die. Let your
men shoot me at once, pointing to the
sentinels.
AS the blacksmith stopped 10 place
the clasp of the shackles around his
ankle Davis struck him vio ent blow
that threw him on the floor. He re-
covered at once and made for Davis
With the hammer and wuld have struck
n if | had not caught the hammer
A moment after that saw Davis and
one of the sentinels struggling, both
having hold of the musket, Davis just
below the shank of the bayonet. The
next instant the sentinel had wrenched
the musket from Davis hands. at
once ordered the soldier to his post
and reprimanded him for leaving it.
81 now saw that there would be trou-
bic, so | ordered the officer of the guard
to go out and get four of the best men
to the guard without side arms and to
have them report to me at ence. -Four
stalwart soldiers made their appear
anee at once, and as the foremost adj
vanced Davis struck him, when all
four instantly closed in on him and
showed him on the cot. The prisoner
showed unnatural strength. 1t was
all the four men could do to hold him
while the blacksmith riveted the clasp
around his ankle, his helper holding
sledge hammer. The clasp was lock-
ed with brass spring lock. Just as
was going out Davis raised from his
cot, threw his feet on the floor, and
with the changing of the chars, he
gave way. He shed tears, but not
word had to say to anyone. Two hours
after | called to see the guard and
found Davis lying on the cot. ! then
unlocked the shackles, he taxing off
his clothing and locking them on again
himself. He seemed to be entirely
broken down. The next morning
found him very much indisposed.
suggested to Gen. Miles to have doc
tor, and consent was given.
"0n the 9th or 18th of May, the
shackles were taken off of Davis and
he never wore them any more after
that About the Oath Of June the
guards were removed from the prison
er's quarters and Gen. Miles gave
permission for the prisoner to have
books from the post library. On that
day Gen. Miles accompanied me to
Davis quarters. AS we entered / re-
to Davis that the general had
given him permission to have books |
out of the library. He then deliberate
ly turned his back on Gen. Miles and
said, 4 suppose the works are chiefly |
on military matters | felt eml,arras-
sed at the way was addressed in the
presence of Gen. Miles, and said, The
general is here, and he is conversant |
with the library Davis paid no at |
tention to my remark, and asked, |
Captain, | suppose you have Bancroft
in the library?' Gen Miles asked Who
is Bancroft?' Davis turned his face
toward Gen. Miles with the very pie
ture of contempt on it. at once said
.We haua- Ranerofts History cS the
uhiCeG oCaCes, DAVIS SAID he v 49,
be pleased to have it to read After
that when would visit him in his cell
he would make the remark 40 you
suppose your general has found out
who Bancroft is by this time ~
To DR.. Craven, who was attending
physician at the fort, President Davis,
speaking of the damning deed, said:
my physical condition rendered it
obvious that there could be no idea
that letters were needed to the security
of my Imprisonment. 1t was clear,
therefore, that the object was to offer
an indignity both to myself and the
cause | Representatives. the less sa-
red to me because covered with the
pail of a military disaster. 1t was for
this reason | resisted as a duty to my
faith, to my countrymen, and TO my
self. 1t was for this reason that
aourted death from the muskets of the
guard. The officer of the day, Capt.
Titlow, prevented the result, and, in
deed, he behaved like a man of good
feeling"