Ghosts in Fort Monroe | Roulez Magazine

O’er the Ramparts They Walk

Two figures are said to walk the ramparts of Fort Monroe late at night. One is a female figure, cloaked and wearing a large bonnet. She is presumed to be Varina Davis, Jefferson Davis’ wife who lived a stressful existence on the fort during her husband’s imprisonment.

The other figure is presumed to be Jefferson Davis, himself. For the first two months of his imprisonment in the Casemate below the ramparts, he was not permitted to go outside. He had guards actually inside his cell with him.

On July 22, 1865, U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton penned a letter to Major-General Nelson A. Miles, the Commander of Fort Monroe:

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, July 22, 1865.

Major-General MILES, Commanding, Fort Monroe:

Your letter was received. Your messenger went back to-day with a brief note. Since his departure, upon consultation, it has been determined:

First. That you may remove the guards and lights from Mr. Davis’ room if they are inconvenient to him, taking such precautionary measures as you may think adequate for his security.

Second. That you may allow him to take such exercise in the open air, under your own immediate supervision, as the surgeon in charge may deem essential to his health, but allowing no other persons to hold communication with him.

Third. You may allow him such books and papers as he may desire to read.

Fourth. You should see him personally every day, and if any other relaxation consistent with his secure detention is deemed beneficial to his health by yourself or his surgeon you will report it to this Department.

Fifth. You will make daily reports of your visits to him and the state, of his health, and oftener if health charges for the worse.

Sixth. You will continue every vigilance and precaution against efforts to escape by surprise, stratagem, or other means, but it is not the desire of the Government to subject him to any hardships not essential to his secure detention.

EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

This change permitted Davis to walk outside each day. But he still struggled with doing so as he found the crowds of ladies who gathered to watch him bothersome.