Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-02-21
PRESIDENT DAVIS.

FhESlOHNT DAtlSs
The Edgefeld Advertiser Of the 18th instant,
remarks: 'It is said that Edge6eld, s. c., is
the rightful claimant of the nativity of Jefferson
Davis, Provisional President Of the Southern
Confederate States" If this be so, South Caro-
lima has the honor of giving birth to the first
President of the Southern Confederacy.
In the annexed interesting sketch of Mr.
Davis life, Kentucky is claimed as his birth.
place:
sFew men have led life more filed with stir.
ring or evetnful incidents than Jefferson Davis.
native of Kentucky, born about 1906, he went
in early youth with his father to Mississippi,
then Territory, aud was appointed by Presi-
dent Monroe, in 1922, to be o cadet at West
Point. He graduated with the first honors in
1928 as Brevet I'd Lieutenant, and at his own re-.
quest was placed in active service, being as
signed to the command Of General (then Colonel)
Zachary Taylor, who was stationed in the West.
In the frontier wars Of the time young Davis
distinguished himself in 80 marked manner,
that when new regiment of dragons was form
ed he at once obtained commission as first
Lieutenant. During this time romantic attach.
ment sprang up between him and his prisoner,
the famous chief Black Hawk, in which the lat
ter forgot his animosity to the people of the O..
States in his admiration for Lieutenant Davis,
and not until his death was the bond of amity
severed between the two brave men.
In 1885 he settled quietly down upon a cotton
plantation, devoting himself to o thorough and
systematic course of political and scientific edu.
cation. He was married to daughter of Gen.
Taylor.
In 1843 he took the stump for Polk, and in
1845, having attracted no little attention in his
State by his vigor and ability, he was elected
to Congress. Ten days after be made his maid
en- speech. Soon the Mexican war broke out
and regiment of volunteers having been formed
in Mississippi, and himself chosen Colonel, he
resigned his post in Congress, and instantly re-
paired with his command to join the corps d'armee
under General Taylor. At tMonterey and Buena
Vista he and his noble regiment achieved the
soldiers highest fame. Twice by his GOODNESS
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. He was badly wounded in the
early part Of the action, but sat on his horse
steadily till the day was won, and refused to
delegate even portion of his duties to his sub
ordinate officers
In 1848 he was appointed to fill the vacancy
in the Senate of the United States occasioned
by the death Of General Speight, and in 1850
was elected to that body almost unanimously
for the term of six years.
In 1851 he resigned his seat in the Senate to
become the State-Rights candidate for Governor,
but was defeated by Governor Foote.
In 1853 he was called to q seat in the Cabinet
of President Pierce, and was Secretary Of War
during his administration. In 1857 he was elect
ed United States Senator for Mississippi for the
term of six years, which Office he held until his
resignation, on the secession of Mississippi from
the Union.
Personally, he is the last man who would be Sc
lected as fire eater" He is prim, smooth
looking man, with precise manner, stiff, SOL
diery carriage, and an austerity that is at first
forbiding. He has naturally, however, genial
temper, companionable qualities, and DISPOSE
ton that endears him to oil by whom he may be
surrounded. As a speaker he is clear, forcible,
and argumentative: his voice is clear and firm,
without tremor and heis one in every way fitted
for the distinguished post to which he has been
ro1lad