The New York herald., 1865-05-15
SKETCHES Of the cAPTIvEs.


Jen. Davis born in Kentucky, June 3, 1908 He
was the of James Davis noted horse trader, OF
Hopknsyllle, kentucky The father fell under suspi
con o horse thief, and forced TO fly from Ken
lucky, and settled, when JEFF. very young near
vksburg Miss He able few years after his removal
send his Jen to Kentucky 70 complete his cduca
on the rrsnsylvenia University Lexington, and sub
sequeny, through The influence Of HE money secured
for him appointment to West Point which young JEFF
entered at sixteen, forming part Of tho graduating class
Of 1928 he graduated the foot OF le class aud
commissioned In the First nfantrss 6reyet second leu
tenant, the lowest rank that could be given him Hc
was sent Florida very eredtsby with Zach
Taylor In the Black Hawk war for which he got
mission nrst lieutenant in the First dragons. In
1882 he offended General Taylor by running away With
and marrying his daughter and the old General
recognized Davis untl they happened to meet on tho
battle field Of Buena Vista, Mexico. In 1895 Davis,
having resigned his commisc'.u settled near vieksburg,
far successful 20 be cleo sd u the lower house OF
sCongress.
commanded the Firs, regiment Of Mississippi riles The
only significant feature his the fact that he
declined United states commission brigadcr general
Of volunteers, the ground that such appointment
BY the federal Executive violation OF State rights
lie reen,2red political lie in lS47 having been ap.
n the United States Senate caused by the death OF Mr.
speghi AT The ensuing election In 1s4s he elected
sisppi he became the State rights candidate
nor, but defeated by Little Fdgct Foote his life
time enemy who ls lying In Ludlow street jai in this
city About tho time he stumped the State for the
purpose or advocating the ropudaton OF the state debt
and subsequently, honored the originator and
by Pierce TO seat in his Cabinet Secretary of War
In 1857 he elected United States Senator from Mis-
siseppi which he held until his resignation January
1s0i the secession Of bis State DurDgthe Congress
sional vacation OF 1850 Davis made visit TO the North,
and examined into the feeling which prevailed here at
he He became satisfied that n etrong nj
North willing 70 enrust tho control Of the govern
ment again into the hands Of Southern President and
being ambitious for that position he made scy eral
speeches here announcing his intention to homo 70
Mississippi and labor for the preservation Of the Union.
On his return he found that other leaders had drawn the
people into the meshes Of secession and with the selfish
which has always characterized him, he gave In his
adherence to secession and became The leader In the
beon lie chosen Provisional President Of the rebel
confederation OF States sFebuaryl 1891 was inauguratcd
siI years for only half Of which time he will be permit
tc TO act His administration of the Affairs Of the rebel
loue States has been marked by Rrcaf brilancy
Judgment He has been the Maplot OF almost every
OF the rebel campaigns and has done more by his obst-
macy, envy jealousy end malice 10 destroy the unity and
other Of s leaders the confederacy had possessed
leader less obstinate IN the pursuit OF bad plans loss
vouc OF tho fame of his subordnates and less quarrel
scmo generally, IL might have existed q few months
longer
enemy remain In force TO aid him, and therc exists
among his own people such love for the obstinate
and selnsh'od dospoas will induce them nsosss
20 his rescue He will be forwarded In hot haste 10
Washington and be enterci with the other criminals now
before the military court 10 be tried for the murder Of
pyeeid nj