Norwich bulletin., 1921-01-26
ODD INcIDEK1A IM AMERICAN
 HISTORY
IMPEACHMENT OF CONFEDERATE
 PRESIDENT

President, Jefferson Davis was seated In his pew. in. St PauIs church. Rich mend, Virginia, when he was handed a telegram from Gen. Lee announcing the necessity of withdrawing from Peters burg anl the consequent evacuation of the capital. That evening, with his cab met, he left for, Danville which he was ] compelled to abandon in less than a week going to Charlotte, N. c. Mrs. Davis had preceded him with small escort, and it was just after he had overtaken her near l IrwinsRille, Ca, that the whole party was captured on May 10, 1865, by body | of cavalry under Lieut. Col. Pritchard, | and he was conveyed to Feft Monroe. 1 Davis did not receive, at first the 1 treatment that so distinguished prison i CT deserved. He was not only subjected to many pfivations, but te some petty in | dignitieA Worst of all he was placed in 1 irons Gen. Nelson A. Niles, who was i in command of the fort had discretionary power from the Secretary of War. ito place maRaelea and letters upon the hands and feet of Jefferson Davis" if deemed advisable to render his impFis-
 onment more secure. Mrs Davis, in her book, gives de-
 tailed and authenticated account of the
 placing of irons upon the former con-
 fedeFate president. Capt. Titlow the offc-
 er of the day, came into the cell with
 two blacksmith bearing . pair of iron anklets coupled with chain and told Mr Davis of the order which he had come reluctantly to execute.
 Has Gen. Niles given that ordeF?'' asked Mr Davis, and when told that such was the ease, he asked to see MileA, q and >whea informed that he had left the l vicinity, asked that the order be post , ponsd until Miles returned. Titlow and the other officers endeavered to dissuade him from resistance "I am A soldier , and 4 gentleman" vas the answer, 'l
 know how to die" and pointing to the , sentinel, said. Let your men shoot me at once"
 President Davis faced around and stood with his back to the >wen leading
 T4tiew to believe that he would offer no resistance, and the blacksnith. were ordered to proceed. As of them step ped down to put on the fettef Davis huns 3 him of vicinity, and as he arose he raise l. his hammer to strike. him, but was stop 6 ped by Titlow. Four strong men, with r out arms were then brought into the cell they overpowered MT. Davis and thu 3 blacksnaiths riveted one letter and Sc
 cured the paddock en the other.
 Four days later Miles received thu < following dispatch from Secretary Stan . ton: Please report whether irons hav' + CT have not been placed on Jefferson t Davis. If they have been when was i
 done, and for what reason and rernov
 them" Niles replied that the anklet
 veYe put on to prevent his runnini
 should he endeavor to escape
 The harsh treatment of Davis was n
 doubt due to the panic which had seize
 the public mind following the assissina ie tion os Lincoln. As the fear sllbside D. rigor was relaxed and certain privilege
 were allowed thei prisoner, who found
 his medical attendant synpathizin ig friend E
 r. In the autumn when his cell beeen
 damp. he vas given a more comfortabl
 reesn on the second >doer of Carroll Hal whieh had keea used as offiesfs' quarter " From that time on his treatment va lA gsod His health failing in the Sp<in
 of 1866 6 visit of his wife vas -permitte
 and thereafter he Qas given the freedea ot of the fort on his parole not to attemI At te escape.
 MrA Davis, whe remained at the for
 AaA said of their life there: -Four room
 eff the end of Carroll Hall were g
 apart for ua. with | kitchen iR the bac ls- esd we were AA eoinfeftabie as peep ss Aa whe eaulA net get out"
 it's From the first 1t was wondered whi
 EheuiA be 6eas in the matter by the go
 afnnAsnt A waAAiEEten. At . caAfe Al, anes the day after LlneeiA's death, pr VI sided ever ny rreeidsat Jehn@on, it V, ns agreed by all that # MT. Davis was ca 'S- tursd "h sshopla be srmrnariiy punis
 d by cath. "but by the time he was ta
 en, May 10. the excitement had beg et- scsnswhst to abRts,
 h. Judgs Aavaoate oAa. Heit advised th =. RaVis ba triad by . AY!itaxy ceurt. b M, haeeily heetsf eeuAaAis prsvaiied. ''' susts ,ef evisAas weaa psaee6 At hfz oof
 sVsa ts eaRzQiieity iA the aSesaaanatien
 Linaeln. aNd the eFusi treatment Of pr4 ate sneFa at AaaAEseaxiils, Davis bseas lFe impatient et the delay of his trial. de haA many adsNipAza in ths North, iHeiu ne iaG sxah MAa aR Hssaea GFeaisg. the . ~. ihep, end RssAy preminert repuhiiecs
 FRAiiy N WAa AF1Raeed te Aasspd ha
 and bsA sidss agreed eA S1ee,eAe sa |
 amount,
 sNt EAa han bond wss signed by ra- Greeley, Aagast EeaRsli. friend of Co is AzndaRe vaR4eEhsit, and fourteen ethe
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