Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/69

 The Tr't'tl* ,///,/ Trial of J<rt'cr*n,i Doris. 53

be well to rescue from the oblivion they justly deserve. Thus, Mr. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War, had in his orders to Miles merci- fully, and possibly piously, permitted a Bible to be placed in the cells of both Davis and Clay. He was probably not familiar enough with its contents to know that it told of the disloyal effort of Moses to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, or of David's revolt against the tyranny of Saul, else it would have been prohibited as dangerous literature. Be that as it may, the fact is he did permit a copy of the Bible to be left with each of the prisoners. In a few days they had the temerity to ask that their prayer-book and a little tobacco might be added to their scant comforts. Miles doubtless saw some occult treason in this request. He remembered the signifi- cance of " Chops and Tomato Sauce " in the famous case of Bar- dell v. Pickwick, The matter was too important for so young a Major-General to decide, and he therefore submitted the request to the arbitrament of the Secretary of War, who, after mature reflec- tion responded (/</., p. 570): "Allow the prisoners prayer-books and tobacco. " This was done.

On another occasion, Mr. Davis had in his room a roll of red tape, made up of short pieces knotted together, which he used to keep up the mosquito net over his bed. General Miles, hearing of it, sent Major Muhlenberg to remove it. The Major, on entering the room, informed Mr. Davis of his orders, and asked him if he had any use for the tape. He reports that Mr. Davis replied: "Tell the damned ass that it was used to keep up the mosquito net on my bed." This was at once reported by Miles to the Adjutant-General, to whom also was sent the captured tape, which is still preserved amongst the trophies of the war. In response, General Miles received the thanks of the Secretary of War V for his action in the matter." Whether Mr. Davis used the strong language imputed to him or not, need not be questioned. History furnishes no occasion where an oath was better justified, and those who may be shocked at the strength of the adjective will forgive it, because of the substantive to which it is applied. (Id., p. 841.) The fate of Uncle Toby's oath was surely accorded it.

Mr. Davis, having been safely incarcerated, was allowed to see no one, to write to no one, and to talk to no one. His fare was that which was furnished from the kitchen of the guard, and his linen was dealt out to him by the Major-General commanding, to whom that function had been assigned by General Halleck. (121 War of Re- bellion, p. 565.) Books, papers and correspondence were luxuries,