Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-27
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Some Passages in His Life


| We take the suhioined interesting
"reminiscences of Mr. Davis adventures,
as an army officer, from the Galveston
News of .he l4th inst
The regiment commanded by Col.
Taylor was the lst La Infantry, and at
the time when young Davis was assigned
to it, was stationed at Prairie du Chen,
far removed from the border of civilza-
tion. Col Taylor had been ordered TO
keep open communication between Lake
Superior and the Mississippi river, and
soon after Lieut.. Davis joined him, the
sound judgment Of the commander Sc
| lected the young man to superintend
the erection of Fort Winnebago, now in
the State of Wisconsin. A detachment
was placed under the command of young
Davis, and he was sent forth through
the perils of the wilderness, to exercise
an important command, far removed
from his superior officers, to preserve
subordination among veteran soldiers
who regarded him as a STRIPPING, to pro
vide sustenance for his command as
best he could, to prepare plans and
drawings and other materials for the
fort.
While engaged in this, he was ordered
by Col. Taylor to communicate at once
with detachment, on some point on
Lake Superior, supposed to be abopt two
days journey from the site of Fort
Winnebago. Taking seven Of his men
and an Indian guide, with what he sup
posed sufficiency of provisions, he set
ont. His guide proved inefficient, and
soon deserted. Becoming lost in a
boundless sea of grass, the food and
water gave out For three days after
the last morsel and drop had been con-
sumed, and exposed to the scorching
heat of the summer sun, he wandered
about in the waste. Six of his soldiers
deserted and left him, leaving only one
old soldier. who declared his determine
ton to perish with his commander
Their sufferings were almost beyond
endurance; their tongues parched and
blistered; and the old soldier became e
deranged from excessive thirst Efforts
to control and save his companion
greatly retarded progress. Yet his cOur-
age never deserted him. Often, when he
spoke with the most excruciating pain,
he endeavored to restore his companion
by calling his wandering intellect TO hap
pier days, and the very tears that were
started by such "reminiscences were
caught upon the parched tongue and
contributed to the preservation of life.
On the evening of the third day they
found small pool OF dirty water, where
they lay for hours. Young Davis had to
force his companion to move by point
Il tap
ing to take his life Fortunately, in
few hours afterwards, they reached an
Indian habitation on the shore OF
Lake Superior, where they obtained food
1t was long time before Lieut. Davis
recovered from the effects of this trip,
but he successfully accomplished the OBJ
ject of his mission, and soon returned TO
his command, and resumed the ordinary
duties of his station.
In 1881, Lieut.. Davis was seat to New
York on the recruiting service, with in-
structions 10 report to Col. Taylor, then
at Rock river, within the region of the
Black Hawk war. Having enlisted
sufficient number Of recruits, he hastily
Joined Col Taylor, and earned his full
share of the honors Of the campaign.
ne ChOicih pIcNtiihH tciiiolg a.
Rock Island, after the battle of Bad Axe,
where Black Hawk surrendered, Gen.
Scott feared that distinguished prisoner
would fall victim TO the disease. and
entrusted him to the charge of Lieut.
Davis, with instructions to take him TO
Jefferson Barracks The young lieuten-
ant understood how to sympathize with
the lofty but sensitive pride Of the old
chieftain, and succeeded in gaining his
warmest friendship.
Up near to the time of his entrance
upon political life, Lieut. Davis was one
OF the most active, efficient and self
sacrificing officers of the army. We
need say nothing of his service to the
country in Mexico; but we say that his
congressional and cabinet services were
marked not only by ability, but by un-
selfish devotion to the whole country.
All this, we think, should plead for him
I