The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-07-04
Jefferson Davis.


at large, and which seem, to me, to be
worth mgunicating to the world
through the newspaper press. They arc
interesting and instructive. especially a.
tbe present time, as illustrating and de-
noustrating his character, and conso.
quently, to some extent, the characters Of
those who, well knowing hin, selected
him as the Nena Sahib of the Southern
Sepoy mutiny.
do not think it worth while to 90 into
the details of his threatened duel with
Colonel Edward Bissell, of Illinois (since
deceased in the Governorship of that
State) though a general reference to it is
proper to show the undisputed fact that
having appeared in public to provoke
and seek mortal combat--in private
correspondence be was availing himself
Of every paltry quibble to evade the i'm.
pending consequences Of his rash repeti-
ton of the very stale trick of Southern.
er bullying a Northerper in Congress, on
tie presumption that the man of the
North will net fight duel knowing that
dueist is more Infamous here than a
coward is 10 the South,
| have never been able to suppress my
contempt in reading correspondence
tending, or relative to, proposed or
supposed possible duel. The case is in
variably so befogged with technicalities,
which would make an attorney in the
Marine Court or Tombs blush on suggest
ing, that no honest man of average cour-
age can feel particle of respect for eth
er party-rrinciple or acconda-after the
perusal. have oeen friendly aud init
mate With many men who have done these
silly things, but have never been able to
esteem or honor one Of them after such a
performance.
l only refer to Davis's affair with Bis
sell to remind the public that be "back ed
down" and backed out Of a fight which
he himself first proposed; and that he re-
Quested Colonel Bissell 20 allow hin to
do so, on q pretext suggested and fur
pished by himself.
1t has teen repeatedly announced that
Jefferson Davis will command the South
ern Sepoys in person in the campaign
now commencing. hope be will lead
their army on. their first battle for |
mean to be there myself. But very
much doubt whether Mr.. Dasis has the
courage to expose himself to the peculiar
ri>ks-not OF immediate death, but Of
capture which he would incur in that
position. Some of "our boys" are
"bound" to "havc bis carcass" alive, if
it costs thousand Of their lives.
By the way, if Jefferson Davis should
lead the Secession army in person, it is
to be hoped that his memory (or cour-
age) wont fail bin, as it did at the battle
OF Buena Vista. when he omitted to give
the third and essential ommand to throw
his regiment into square: "By the right
and left of fank battalionsl To the col
or-MARcHf" The consequence of this
hiatus va1de detlenduS was. that bis regi
ment was left spread in the form Of a V,
to receive the charge of 1000 Mexican
cavalry, coming down upon them in full
career, on the slopes OF Buena VISTA
survivors of that regiment know that
nothing saved them from aunihilation but
their practiced, deadly rkmanship with
rifles.
Perhaps it was we'll for Jefferson Davis
that Zachary Taylor was his fatherin law,
though unwilliugly so. a sterDer and
more BTutus-like commander mil ght have
ordered a court martial on the spot, that
would have condemned him to be shot
for cowardice, or other moral inoompe-
tency.
In my opinion, Jefferson Davis should
have been court martisled for bis dis
graceful misconduct in that battle, as
soon as it was decided Perhaps he
would have been, but for his peculiar re-
lstions to Major General Zachary Tay-
lor, whose daughter he bad married BY
stealth, in opposition to the expressed
wishes and positive commands, of the
father. General Chen ColoneD Taylor
said to his daughter "If you marry
Lieutenant Davis | will never see your
face again, dead or aliyel" The infatua-
ted girl, nevertheless, eloped with Davis
who had taken advantage of the friendly
patronage of his commanding officer, and
violated the laws of hospitality by secret.
ly gaining the affections of his daughter
In such adherence did Zachary Taylor
hold Davis that he bept bis word with a
frmness that may be deemed pitiless cru
city. When in the course Of time, bis
disobedient daugh hter lay on her death
bed, and sent to him penitent message
entreating him to Wait her, that she
might die in pesce, with her father
blessing, or, at leat, bis forgiveness, ths
stern reply of the inexorable old mai
was: II warned you thatif you married
that man, | would never see you again
living or dead, aud | never willl'' Ane
SO the unfortunate lady died, ubblest ant
unforgiveD by him.
When Davis came under the immedt
ate cammand OF bis fatherin law IN th
Mexican war, General Taylor refused t.
recognize him in any other way, excep
officially, as in giving orders, and in 9th
ar matters of nurely military form an