Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-05-27
Se1eft Story.
Marriage Of Jefferson Davis.
BY HUMANITY, JR.


1t may not be generally known that JEFF
ferson Davis, of Mississippi, late Presi-
dent of the Confederate States of America,
was first married to daughter of the
lamented Zachary Taylor, who was elected
President of the United States in 1S49.
Much less are the peculiar incidents and
romantic circumstances attending Mr..
Davis's marriage to Miss Sarah Knox
Taylor known to the world. l propose to
make up this chapter Of history.
During the "Black Hawk War;" more
than third of a century ago, Col. Tay-
lor commanded Fort Crawford, at Prairie
Du Chen, Wisconsin, Chen Michigan),
and his family were with him. Jefferson
Davis, then young graduate of West
Point, bearing lieutenant's commission
in the regular army, was also under Or
ders at the same fort. Handsome, brave,
and chivalrous by nature, and possessing
all the suavity, case, and grace which
thorough intellectual culture and the most
refined society confers, it was not strange
that his heart became the target for very
many of Cupids seldom erring arrows
One of those arrows. being directed by
glance Of Miss Knox Taylor's flashing
eyes, chit the mark" and it so happened
that Miss Knox's heart went with the
missile, and that the two hearts became
indissolubly connected. Col. Taylor. look
ing with disfavor upon the situation, re-
solved to break the alliance and accord
ingly directed his servant to say to Knox,
as he always called his daughter, that he
wished to see her in the parlor. She came,
and the following conversation ensued:
Knox, what can possibly be the object
of Lieutenant Davis in visiting this house
so frequently?'
L cannot imagine, father, unless it is
to see and talk with me-
You surely do not encourage his WIS.,
it's
why not Lieutenant Davis is hand
some, generous, refined, and courageous.
Young ladies usually feel themselves COM
plimented by the attentions Of such gen
tlemen.'
This will never do-merer do, Knox.
I must forbid him the house.
why, father! what possible objection
have you to Lieutenant Davis?'
He is all that you claim for him, my
daugher, but he is too headlopg and
headstrong. Should you become his wife,
you will be left widow after his first bat
tie, In truth, there is no telling to what
sad fate that young mans rash impetuosi-
tv will lead him. 1t will not dot will
neuer do
Without awaiting an answer or word
Col. Taylor strobe rapidly away IN his
military boots, with the imperious air OF
one whose word was law, leaving Miss
Knox to her tears, and a Uonaans resolves.
Lieutenant Davis received an intimation
sufficiently pointed to enable him to under
stand that his presence at Col. Taylor's
could be dispensed with. Nothing of un-
usual interest occurred during the sue
ceeding month, except that the health of
the coloners beautiful and accomplished
daughter declined rapidly, and it came to
be seriously feared that the fell destroyer,
consumption, had marked her as another
victim, whilst the young lieutenant be-
came so quick tempered and irritable that
if any one dared even to regret that Miss
Taylor was not looking so well as usual.
coffee and pistols for two were Likely to
be called for. A announcement came,
however, as usual in all strategic move
ments either in love or war.
One bright morning. ere the early bee
had gone forth to gather his sweets from
flower and field Colonel Taylor was arous-
ed from his stu nbers. By strange CO.
incidence he had been dreaming Of wild
JEFF upon his noble steed. with Knox SO
gracefully sitting her bloodcd pony, run
ming the guantlct Of scalping -knives, ton-