The Story Behind The Image; The Cell

Temporary "home" to Confederate President Jefferson Davis; dark, dank and moist (click to enlarge)
Fujfilm X-T2, 10-24mm f/4 lens @ 11.5mm; 1/17th sec. @ f/5; ISO 5000

Currently, there is much controversy in the United States over markers, monuments and memorials dedicated to those who led and fought for the southern states during the American Civil war, which was from 1861-65.  Slavery was and still is the predominant issue, but also commemorating seditionists, successionists and what some call traitors to their country also play into this issue.  Others call them heroes.  It depends upon which side your family history favored.  Personally, I have no dog in this fight.  History is history and we need some manner in which to learn from it so the same mistakes don't get repeated.  I'll leave it to others as to how history is best remembered.

Recently, I had an opportunity to visit Ft. Monroe in Hampton Virginia, a now decommissioned facility, previously used by the U.S. Army for their Training and Doctrine Command.  Ft. Monroe's construction began in 1819 but wasn't completed until 1836. 

There are three interesting aspects of the old fort in relation to the Civil war. First, a young lieutenant, Robert E. Lee, was stationed at the fort from 1831-1834 while he was serving in the U.S. Army and directed the final construction of the fort. Lee later turned down President Lincoln to be General of all of the Union forces as he could not fight against fellow Virginians but was later appointed by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to head the Confederate forces.  The irony is the second point of interest.  Ft. Monroe is where that same Confederate President Davis was held prisoner after the war in a "casemate."  A casemate is a room with thick fortress-like walls from which guns can be fired.

The third point of interest is that during the Civil War, President Lincoln used the very same fort to plan, with his generals, the battle which was to be fought to take Norfolk, which is located across the body of water called Hampton Roads.  Lots of strategic activity for one little stone-walled fortress surrounded by a moat!

Shortly after the Civil War ended, Davis was hunted down and arrested in Georgia, suspected of being complicit in the assassination of President Lincoln, and brought to Ft. Monroe.  He was eventually charged with treason.  He was held for two years before being released on $100,000 bond.  A $100,000 was a whole lot of money in 1867.  As I wrote above, he was held for part of that time in a casemate under constant guard so he couldn't escape nor commit suicide.  The flag of the United States was hung in his cell to remind him of the Confederate defeat.

Evidently, after the war the U.S. authorities were very forgiving as Davis was moved to better living quarters, his wife was allowed to move to the fort as well and eventually he was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson, along with everyone else who participated in the rebellion.  I won't go on but if you have further interest in this little story, here is an interesting article in Encyclopedia Virginia.

The image at the top of the post is the casemate in which Davis was held.  It has been recreated to look as though it did when Davis occupied it.  The room has one relatively small window through which light can enter. The room's entrance was a door constructed of metal bars.  The door and lock are still on display as well.

History can be very interesting.  Learning how we "got to today and now" can enlighten and fascinate.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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