The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-10-19
Passages in the Life of Jefferson Davis.

Passages in the Life of Jefferson Davis.
We take the subioined interesting temih-
iscences of Mr.. Davis adventures. as an
army officer, from the Galveston NelOs:-
The regiment commanded by Col. Taylor
was the 1st Louisiana infantry, and at the
time when young Davis was assigned to it
was stationed at Prairie Du Chen, far re-
moved from the border of civilization.
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 judg-
ment of the commander selected the young
man to supeEintend the erection Of Fort
Winnebago, DOW in the State of Wisconsin.
A detachment was placed under command
of young Davis, and he Was sent forth
through the perils Of the wilderness to ex-
ereise an important command, far removed
from bis superior eli GERS. to preserve sub
ordination among veteran soldiers who re-
garded him as stripii8g. 10 provide sus-
tenaRce for his command as best he could,
to Peepare plans and drawings, and other
materials for the fort.
Whilst engaged in this, he was ordered
by Col. Taylor to communicate at once with
detachment, at some point on Lake Supe-
rior, supposed to be about two days jour
ney from the site of Fort Winnebago.-
Taking seven of his command and an In
dian guide, with what he supposed to be a
suficiecy of provisions, he set out.
His guide proved incompetent, 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 consumed, 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 determi-
nation to perish with his commander. Their
sufferings were almost beyond endurance;
their tongues parched and blistered; and
the old soldier became deranged from ex-
cessive thirst. Efforts to coutrol and save
his companion greatly retarded progress
Yet his courage never deserted him. Often,
when he spoke with the most excrutiating
pain. he endeavored to restore his compsn
ion by calling his wandering intellect to the
scenes of happier 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 a small pool of dirty water. where
they lay for hours. Young Davis had to
force his old companion to move By point
ing pistol at his breast, and threatening
to take his life.
Fortunately, in few hours afterward,
they reached an Indian habitation on the
shore of Lake Superior, where they obtain
ed food. 1t was long time before Lieut..
Davis recovered from the effects of this
trip, but he successfully accomplished the
the object of his mission, and soon return
to his command, and resumed the ordinary
duties of his station.
In 1881, Lieut.. Davis was sent to New
York on the recruiting service, with in
structiOns to report to Col Taylor, then at
Rock river, within the region of the Black
Hawk war.
Having enlisted a sufficient number of
recruits, he hastily joined Col. Taylor, and
earned his full share of the honors of the
campaign.
The cholera prevailing terribly at Rock
leland oftar tba batfla of Rad Ave whare
Black Hawk surrendered, Gen. Scott feared
that distinguished prisoner would fall q
victim to the disease, and entrusted him to
the charge of Lieut.. Davis, with instruc-
tions to take him to Jefferson Barraeks.-
The young lieutenant 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
a political life, Lent. Davis was one of the
most active, efficient and self-sacrifcing
officers of the army. We need say nothing
of his service to the country in Mexico; but
we may say that his congressional and
cabinet services were marked not only by
ability, but by unseifsh devotion to the
whole country. All this, we think, should
plead for him now.
Something of the Past.
Thirty-two syears ago, when Senator
Douglas left his Green Mountain home for
Illinois, his great rival, Abraham Lincoln,
- t;o. = ,lst ofioa Trash from the OLE