The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-08-11
WHEN JEFF DAVIS
WAS FETTERED
STORY TOLD BY CAPT. TITL0W,
THE OFFICER IN Gu iRGE
Resistance Made by President Of the
Confederacy Showed Superhuman
Strength = Distinguished
Prisoner Courted Death.

The following by Mrs. l.. NJ. Ches
hire in the Nashville Banner, VIII b.
read with interest by number Of ou
readers:
Washington, D. c., Aug, 3.-Shamt
and not fame is the everlasting por
ton, for Gen. Nelson A. Niles as the
man who had shackles put on Jefferson
Davis, while he was a prisoner at For
tress 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 car
rying out instructions in placing the
President Of the Confederacy in irons,
the facts afc decidedly against the
general.
Assistant Secretary of War Dana
had been sent to Fortress Mol.'ot on
the 22d of May, 1866, bearing an or
der 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 investi-
cation he wired Secretary Stanton
that he had not issued the order to
have Mr.. Davis and Clay placed in
irons; that Gen. Hallock was opposed
to it, but that Gen. Miles had been in
structed to have letters ready "if he
thinks them necessary" Gen. Miles
was to act on his own vo,ition, and if
he thought it necessary to have Davis
manacled, and the day after the in
struction or authority had been issued
May %, 1865-President Davis was
put in irons.
Capt. James B. Titlow, Company X,
Thirt Pennsylvania heavy artillery,
who was the officer of the day at For
tress Monroe, gave out this authentic
statement, which was read before La
Fayette Post No. 20, G. A R., Wash
ington, D. c.
IL found Jefferson Davis occupying
easement no. 2, in front row; c. C.
Clay fourth easement, in 50 lie row;
John Mitchell, easement No. G, same
row, the cmbrasures of which were
closed with heavy iron bars looking
out on the moat or ditch, which was
about six feet wide.
in the easement We're two senti-
X 81 i.~s.A elfsafls ss<rr1 nv =. =
under lock and key, the officers Of the
day having charge of the keys. ! was
. detailed as officer of the day for next
days duty. ] relieved Capt Bispham
and reported to Gen. Miles fof orders
in regard to the prisoners. His or
ders were to hold no communication
with them except what was absolute
ly necessary.
Il found Davis a man of few words.
and those tinctured with bitterness. 1t
having been reported to Gen, Miles
that Davis vas moody and morose, the
general gave me orders to search the
prisoner thoroughly and take every
thing away from him, money and any,
thing that he would be likely to do
himself harm with. | went to Davis
easement and told him thar had or
ders 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
some $50 to $40 in gold and silver,
some keys and very handsome pock-
ct knife. | noticed silk cord around
his neck under his undershirt. ] said,
Mr.. Davis, what have you there p AT
ter some little hesitation he drew it
from under his undershirt and attach
ed to a cord a small silver Catholic
medal. He pleaded with me to let him
retain the medal, as it was a gift from
the pope of Rome. After some little
hesitation | concluded to let him keep
It. After turning over the effects to
Gen. Miles | reported what | had done
with the medal, and the general said:
That is all right, he can't do much
harm with that
During all this time the prisoners
were at Fortress Monroe, there was
considerable newspaper tall, and whis-
pering that there was an expedition
forming to rescue Davis. On the NOR
ming Of May %, 1865, | was again de-
tailed as officer of the day and again
reported to the general as the new
officer of the day The general said he
had special orders for me as to Jeffer-
son Davis, having heard it rumored
that morning that Davis was to he put
in irons, Gen Miles showed me q part
OF letter from Secretary Stanton, in
which he said if he thought the safe
ty of Davis required it, he could put
irons on him, or words to that effect.
The matter was left optional with Gen.
Miles as to whether Davis should be
put In irons or not.
Just before shutdown | sent my or
derby out for the blacksmith TO meet
me with leg irons at the easement. AS
| entered the garrison Davis was sit
ting on the end of his cot, or hospital
bed, reading his prayer book. AS he
looked up, / said: "Mr. Davis, have
an unpleasant duty to execute" At
the same moment, seeing the black
smith with The irons, he asked You do
not intend to put letters on me?
Those are my ORDERS ! answered
Those are orders for a slave. No man
With soul in him would obey such or
lers. | shall never submit to such an
ndignity,' was his answer He then
isked if Gen. Miles had given that or
er. and said he would like to see