Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1861-03-13
Stretch OE,THE HON. JEFF. DA-
;, WIS.,, PRESIDENT or THE s3SOUTH-
EYsN REPUBLIC.D

ri Few men haveoled litc more fill.
ed with stirring and eventiul incidents
than Jefferson Davis. A native of
Kentucky, born about lsO6, he went
in early youth with his father to Mis-.
sissippi, then a territory and was ap-
pointed by President Monroe in 1892
to be cadet at West Point. He
graduated with the first honors in
Ils2s rs Brevet Second Lieutenant,
and at his own request was placed in
active service, being ASST gncd to the
command of General (tl,en Coioncl)
Zachary Taylor, who was stationed
in the west. In the frontier wars of
the time young Davis distinguished
himself in such a manner that when a
new regiment of dragons was formed
he at once obtained a commission as
first Lieutenant. During this time a
romantic attachment sprang up be-
tween him and his prisoner, the IA
nous chief Black Hawk, in which the
latter forgot his animosity to the pco-
pie Of the United States in his admir-.
alton for Lieutenant Davis, and not
until his death was the bond of amity
severed between these two great men.
|. In 1886 he settled quietly down
upon cotton plantation, devoting
himself to thorough and scientific
course Of political and scientific cdu-
cation. He was married to a daugh.
er Of Gen. TAYLOR.
In l843 he took the stump for Polk,
and in ls45, having attracted no little
attention in his state by his vigor and
ability, he was elected to Congress.
Ten days after he made his maiden
speech. Soon the Mexican war broke
out, and regiment OF volunteers
having been formed in Mississippi,
and himself chosen Colonel, he resign
ed his post in Congress, and instantly
repaired with his command to join
the corps d'ar,nie under Gen. Taylor.
AT Monterey and Buena Vista he and
his noble regiment achieved the sol
dicr's highest fame. Twice by his
GOODNESS he saved the day at Bucna
Vista. Wherever fire was hottest,
or danger to be encountered, there
Col. Davis and the Mississippi rifles
were to be found. He. was badly
wounded in the early part Of the &C.
ton, but sat on his horse steadily till
the day was won, and refused to dele
gate even a portion of his duties to
his subordinate officers.
In 1s48 he was appointed to fill the
vacancy in the Senate Of the U. S.
occasioned by the death Of General
Spcight, and in 1850 was elected to
that body almost unanimously for a
term Of eight years.
I'll In, 1851 he resigned his seat in the
Senate to become the State rights
candidate for Governor, but was de-
feated by Governor Foote.
In 1858 he was called to a scat in
the Cabinet Of President Pierce, and
was Secretary of War during his ad-
ministration. In 1857 he was elected
United States Senator from Missisir-
pi for the term Of six years, which
Office he held until his resignation on
the secession of Mississippi from the
Union.
Personally, he is tho last man who
would be selected as "6re-eater. )"
He is a prim, smooth looking man,
with precise manner, stiff soldier
ly carriage, and an austerity that is at
first forbidding. He has naturally,
however, genial temper, companion
able qualities, and disposition that
endears him to all by whom he may
be surrounded. AS speaker, he is
clear, torcible and augmentativc; his
voice is clear and firm, without trcm-
or, and he is one in every way fitted
or the distinguished post to which he
has been called.--Hcr0ld