Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/66

 50 Southern Historical Society Papers.

his attenuated arm in the strong grip of the faultlessly dressed officer who had been selected because " sharp enough " for such a function. It seems strange that Whittier did not perpetuate in song so heroic an exploit, and that no artist has preserved to posterity in enduring bronze the vigorous grasp and fearless step of the young and hand- some Major-General in charge.

Mr. Dana further describes Mr. Davis' dress, and depicts his sev- eral emotions, as he parted respectively from his wife, his secretary, and his staff. He adds: " He bore himself with a haughty attitude, his face was somewhat flushed, but his features were composed and his step firm."

He closes his account as follows:

"The arrangements for the security of the prisoners seem to me as complete as could be desired. Each one occupies the inner room of a casemate. The window is heavily barred. A sentry stands within before each of the doors leading into the outer room. These doors are to be grated, but are now secured by bars fastened on the outside. Two other sentries stand outside of these doors. An officer is also constantly on duty in the outer room, whose duty is to see his prisoners every fifteen minutes. The outer door of all is locked on the outside, and the key is kept exclusively by the general officer of the guard. Two sentries are also stationed without that door. A strong line of sentries cuts off all access to the vicinity of the casemates. Another line is stationed on the top of the parapet overhead, and a third line is posted across the moat on the counter- scarp opposite the places of confinement.

" The casemates on each side and between those occupied by the prisoners are used as guard rooms, and soldiers are always there. A lamp is constantly kept burning in each of the rooms. The fur- niture of each of the prisoners is a hospital bed, with iron bedstead, a chair, a table, and a movable stool closet. A Bible is allowed to each. I have not given orders to have them placed in irons, as Gen- eral Halleck seemed opposed to it, but General Miles is instnicted to have fetters ready if he thinks them necessary. The prisoners are to be supplied with soldiers' rations, cooked by the guard. Their linen will be issued to them in the same way. I shall be back to- morrow morning."

Later, on the same day, while still at the fort, Mr. Dana, alarmed probably by remembering that the strong arm of the young Major-