New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-09-22
Some Passages in the Lite of j eTerson Davis

We take the subjoined interesting "reminiscences
of Mr.. Davis's adventures, as an army officer
from the Galveston News of the l4th inst:
The regiment commanded be Col Taylor was
the LIST La. Infantry, and at the time when young
Davis was assigned to it, was stationed a Prairie
Du CHEN, far removed from the border of ciyiliz.
alton. Col. Taylor had been ordered tOkeep open
communication between Lake Superior and the
Mississippi river, and soon after Lieut., Davis
| Joined him, the sound Judgment of the commander
selected the young man to superntend the cree
ton of Fort Wnnebago now in the State Of Wis
consin. A detachment was placed under command
of young Davis, and he was sent forth through the
Eperils Of the wilderness, to exercise an important
command, far removed from his superior officers,
to preserve subordinatiOn among veteran soldiers
who regarded him as STRIPPING, to provide susie
nance for his command as best he could, to pre-
pare 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 Superior, supposed to be
about two days journey from the site of Fort
Wnnebago. Taking seven of his command and
an Indian guide, with what he supposed to be a
sufciency of provisions, he set out. His guide
proved incompetent, and soon deserted. Becom-
ing lost in boundless sea Of grass, the food and
water gave out. For three days after the last
morse and drop had been consumed and exposed
to the sCorching heat of the summer sun, he wan
dered about in the waste. Six of his soldiers de-
serted and left him, leaving only one old soldier,
who declared his determination to perish with his
commander. Their suterings were almost beyond
endurance; their tongues parched and blistered
and the old soldier became deranged from exces-
sive thirst. Efforts to control and save his COM
panion greatly retarded progress. Yet his courage
never deserted him. Often, when he spoke with
the most eNcrucating pain, he endehyored to re-
store his companion by calling his wandering in
teect to the scenes of happier days, and the very
tears that were started by suchreminiscences 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
i hours. Young Davis had to force his old COM
panion to move by pointing pistol at his breast
and threatening to take his life. Fortunately, in
a few hours afterwards, they reached an Indian
| habitati0n 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 object
of his mission, and soon returned to his com
mand, and resumed the ordinary duties of his
In 1881 Lieut.. Davis was sent to New York on
the recruiting service, with instructions 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. #r.t
| The cholera prevailing terribly at 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 lieutenant understood how to sympa
thize with the lofty but sensitive pride of the old
eheftain, and succeeded in gaining his warmest
friendship.
Up near to the time of his entrance upon politi-
callife, Lieut. Davis was one of the most active,
efficient and selfsacrifcing 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 unseltish devotion TO tile whole
country. Ali this, we think, should plead for him
now.