The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-05
DEATH OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Strong Confrmatory Evidence Of the Truth Of
the Report Rebel Flags at Half-mast and
the Confederate 0ficers in Mourning Bio
graphical Sketch Of the Rebel President,
&c.. &C., &c.

EraPuicaA oAotcn OF the deOel freSluent,
&C.,, Co., &c.
Tho continued rumors which are reaching ns Of the
death Of Jefferson Davis, would to indicate that
there Ia some foundation for their truth On Tuesday
published the following despatch from Washington
despatch has been received here to, day from Rich
mond via louisville, announcing the death Of Jc Davis
This accounts for the display OF flags at half mast from
the rebel ramparts to-day.
And yesterday the following
negro arrived here from Manassas tonight, reports
that Jef Davis died at O'Clock Saturday morn
ing. This report Us believed by members u the family
resident here His physicians have long expected from
the condition OF his health that II at any time he should
be subjected TO protracted and extraordinary mental
exertion he would die suddenly Tho report Of his death
Is believed here
The Washington Star In an extra issued yesterday,
says
Al late hour last night branch Of the government
received despatch from reliable party IN louisville
notify ing u that those In that city understood to be In
the closest communication with Richmond, satisfied
Of tho correctness Of the OF the death OF Jefferson
DAVIS that had reached Louisville from Nashville the
night before.
Our correspondent tclcgraphs, as will be else
where, that a gentleman from Manassas Junction, who
arrived IN Washington yesterday morning, states posi-
lively that Davis died Monday Unstead OF Saturday,
morning, at seven O'Clock A. NJ, and that the rebel
officers at the Junction wearing Grape their
Another gentleman, arrived in Washington yesterday
from Richmond, reports the death Of Davis certainty
That such isrcally the Is borne out by many cir
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES others the display of the rebel flag at
hafmast on the ntrcnchmeuts at Baieys Cross Roads,
an honor that woad hardly be paid to the memory Of so
comparatively insignificant officer os Colonel Stewart
Another for conccalment by the rebols Of their
chiefs death Is obvious when Is considered what efforts
are being made by the secessonss OF Kentucky to
take that State out Of tho Union The Legislature Of
Kcntucky met on Monday last, and the rebels are re-
sorting TO every device Of brides anil threats 10 compel
that State to join her fate with tina, Of the concderacy
The death Of Davis, however, would dampen the
ardor Of the rebels there ana materially inter
fcre with their cause. Hence the motive for
concealment. 1t is significant, also, that We re-
ceive reports Of the affair through Louisville,
which is tho general source Of news coming from the
South
We subon brief sketch Of the leading events In the
life Of the Confederate President
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH or JEFFERSON DAVIS
Jefferson Davis was born June 3, 1905 In what Is now
Todd county, Kentucky. While yet infant his father,
Samuel Davis revolutionary soldier in Georgia removed
TO mississippi and settled in Wilkinson county. Jefferson
Davis sent at the usual age, 70 Pennsylvania College,
Kentucky from which he transferred in 1924 - the
Military Academy at West Point, in 1898, which he lett
with the breve appointment OF Second Lieutenant. lie
was IN the army about seven years and distinguished
himself active service the Western frontiers the
Black Hawk and other Indian With the rank Of
Irs Lieutenant Of Dragons he resigned out Of the army
ia 1885, He then returned 10 Mississippi and became
cotton planter in Warren county, where no lived in
trement until about 1874, when he first took active
part IN politics democrat We believe his first APP
pearance public speaker "barbccgc" in
Warren county in answer 10 the celebrated s. s. Prem
tiss, From that moment he bocame the leader Of the
Mississippi democracy.
In 1874 Jefferson Davis was chosen OF the Pres-
dental electors OF Mississippi in which capacity he voted
for Polk and Dallas IL the succeeding year he
minated by the democratic party Of his State cand-
date for Congress, elected, and took his scat IN the
body in necenlber His nrst opponent for Congress
Mark Valentine, then Of Warren county, Miss, now Of
Carroll parish La, whe, though Of the same party
thought iehscn Davis not sound pronounced enough
on the reputation question: and came out indie
pendent Reputation candidate against him. They came
together in discussion at vcksburg, where Davis
ceecd in convincing his mpulsivc opponent either that
there material between them on The re-
pudation hobby, that, there snch difference
it did not make material Issue in the Cor Con-
gress. NJ Valentine tbsn withdrew, AMI left the field
Davis and the wing candidate, Mr. Tompkns, lawyer Of
sicksbnrg, very popular man and iorcible and per-
su.tsive orator who subsequently went TO Congress. The
election Of Davis was the result
While in Congress he was foremost among the
bcrs who assisted to organize the war against Mexico,
and III July 1916 when the First regiment Of Mississippi
Volunteers enrolled for service in Mexico, he
elected It's Colonel when he lief. his seat in the House,
and Joining his regiment led reinforce the army Of
General Tay Tor the Rio Grade Ills services in the
army thcnccorth matter Of history. l, just af
ter the battle Of Buena Vista that General Taylor whose
daughter Colonel Davis Ind married under crcums
dispensing 10 her father consented 10 DO reconcied 10
his long repuated inlaw. The present Mrs. Davis
ScCoHu WIZ, onc sDlc years
On the return Of his regiment In July, fs47 Colonel
Davis was the appointment Of Brgadicr General
Of volunteers, which he declined the ground that the
States and not the federal government had The right
appoint the officers OF the militia. He appointed by
the Governor Of Mississippi In the year, 10 iii u
vacancy in the Usited States Senate and afterwards
unanimously elected by the Mississippi legislature Cor the
remainder Of the term, which expired March L. 1861
In September 1851 Colonel Davis resigned bis seat as
Senator, being nominated for Governor by the seces
sion wing OF the democratic party, In opposition to Henry
s. Foote the Union candidate, and beaten by
majority Of on. oe9 votes although the Union party went
into the field with majority OF $500 votes indicated
by the Convention election short iAne before.
Colonel Davis IN retirement, then, until 1856,
when he rendered effective service on the stump for
General Pierce, AS democratic candidate for President.
Appointed To the War Department by President ioroe
he continued in that position until the jnaigrra-
ton Of Mr.. buchanan, in 1851. While in Office he
revised the army regulations; he introduced light IN
fapty the rifle system OF tactics he canscd the
nnlacte OF rilcd ssets and pistols and the Of the
Mimic ball. nc indeed the addition OF four regiments to
the army, and organized cavalry service peculiarly
adapted 70 the wants OF the country; he augmented the
coast and frontier doiences OF the country; and had
the part OF the continent explored for scientific
geographical aud railroad purposes.
Colonel PAWS elected TO the Senate by the Niasis
sipp Legislature in 1856 before his retirement from the
War Department. lie again entered the Senate there
fore in 1857 for the term ending the All of March 1868
Ills State having scceded from the Union January last
Colonel Davis being appried Of the fact Withdrew
from that body aud announced HIS withdrawal IN brief
address
On the 9th of February last he elected Provisional
President Of the Southern eonfedescy and ia the event
Of his demise will be succeeded by Vice President Alex
ander II. Stephens.
REPORT FROM NASHVILLE.
LcuisynIR, Sept. A. 1901.
Nashville despatch to-day says that there is tiuth
whatever In the reports Of JEFF. Davis death
IMPORTANT FROM KENTUCKY.
CaHcISSATr Sept. 4, 1851.
Tho that understood Frankfort
.ba, Governor Magoa refuses 20 play the hands Of