Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-02-22

|
| When far from thee sigh
| And death-ay. even death
| We're sweet if thou vert nigh
SKETCH eF:HoN. JEFFERSON DAVIS,
OF MISSISSIPPI, PRESIDENT OF THE suuru.
ERN CoNFEDERAcY.
Few men have led life more filled stir
ring or eventful incidents than Jefferson
Davis. A native Of Kentucky, born about
1906, he went in early youth with his faith
er TO Mississippi. then Territory and was
appointed by President Monroe in 1922 TO
be a cadet 1T Wesl ,*oint.'. He. graduated
with the first L"aors in 1928 as Brevet
Second Lieutenant. and at lis own request
was placed in active service, being assigned
to the command Of General 0hen Colone)
Zachary TAYLOR, who WAS stationed in the
West In the frontier wars of the time
young Davis distinguished himself in 50
marked manner that when n new regi-
ment Of dragons was formed he at once
obtained commission as first Lieutenant.
During this time romantic attachment
sprang up between him and his prisoner.
the famous chief Black Hawk, in which
the latter forgot his animosity to the people
! of ibe United States in his admiration for
Lieutenant Davis, and not until his death
was the bond of amity severed between the
two brave men.
In'lea5 be settled, quietly down upon a
cotton phantom, devoting himself to thor
ough and systematic course of political aud
scientific education. lie was married 10 a
daughter of Gen. Taylor.
In le43 he took the stump for Polk,
and in le45, having attracted no little at.
tenlion in his State by his vigor and abili-
ty, he was elected to Congress. len days
after he made his maiden speech. Soon
the Mexican war broke out, and regiment
Of volunteers having been formed in Mis-
sissssippi, and himself chosen Colonel, he
resigned his post in Congress, and instant
ly repaired with his command to join the
corps d'armee under General Taylor. At
Monterey and Buena Vista he and his no.
BILE regiment achieved the soldiers highest
fame. Twice by his coolness he saved the
day at Buena Vista. Wherever fire was
hottest or danger to be encountered, there
Colonel Davis and the Mississippi Rifles
were to be found. LIE was badly wounded
in the early part of the action, but sat on
bis horse steadily till the day was won, and
refused TO delegate even portion Of lis du.
ties to his subordinate officers.
In 1s4s he waa appointed to fill the va
cancy occasioned by the death of General
Speigbt, and in 1850 was elected to that
body almost unanimously for the term Of
six years.
In 1851 he resigned his seat in the Sen
ate to become the State rights candidate for
Governor, but was defeated by Governor
Foote.
In 1858 he was called to seat in the
Cabinet of President Pierce, and was Sec
retary of War during his administration.
Tn 1857 he was elected United States Sena-
tor from Mississippi for the term Of six years
which Office he held.until bis resignation on
The secession of Mississippi from the
Union.
Personally, he is the last man who would
be selected RS "6re.eater." lie is prim,
smooth looking man, with precise man.
ner, stif soldierly carriage and I'D auster-
ity that Is at first forbidding. He has nat
ura|Iy, however, a genial temper, compan-
ionabIe qualities and disposition that en-
dear him to all by whom be may be sur
snnded. As speaker he is clear, forcible
aud srgumentative !; his voice is clear and
firm, without tremor, and be is one in ev-
cry way fitted for the distinguished post to
which be has been elected.
sKETeR on HON, ALExANnER h. szEvENs,
or eoERaIA, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE
souTHERN ,coHFEpERAoY.
This gentlemen j. kuo*nthroHghout the
ppiop ss aAg ef the most prominent af
Southern politicians and eloquent orators.
His fafher A nfra,v r. S,anharcs ..Ss :. -,,SiSt