Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-07-24
JEFF. Davis and his Wife.

In his Recolections of Richmond Edward
A. Pollard chats as follows about Mr. and Mrs.
jeff. Davis:
Amid the frivolities and vcisstudes of Rich
mond society during the war, Mrs. Jefferson
Davis was conspicuous for an attempt TO intro
duce into them something of the menners and
etiquette she had imported from certain circles
in Washington but it proved not only an igno-
minious failure, but an unpleasant scandal.
The Confederate President himself although re-
cluse and naughty in his government, was dem
ocratc enough N his personal habits, simple in
his social tastes, and plain and accessible to the
populace. But Davis was the most uxorious Of
men, and it was surprising indeed that man of
his fine nervous organism, very type of social
dalctantism, should have fallen so much under
the dominion of woman who was so excessively
coarse and physical in her person, and in whom
the defects of nature hac been repaired neither
by the grace of manner or the charms of conver-
sation. Mrs. Davis was a brawny, able-bodied
woman, who had much noreAof masculine met
tie than of feminine grace her complexion was
tawny even to mulattOism: woman loud and
coarse in her manners, full of self assertion, not
the one of her sex who would have been sup
posed to win the Difference of delicate man like
Davis = whimsical in health, victim to
" nerves" nice and morbid in his social tastes
although she might we'll have conquered the
submission of such a creature by the force of her
character. Davis deferred 10 her in the social
regulations she would impose upon Richmond
She demanded the etiquette of Washington, that
the Presidents lady should return calls she
introduced " hat was unknown in Richmond
liveried servants and when every horse was
impressed in the service, the citizens forced to
90 afoot remarked with disdan the elegant equip
age of Mrs. Davis, that paused much more be-
fore the shops OF Main street than the aristo-
cratic residences of Grace and Franklin.
Davis himself simple and democratic in
his habits. His figure habitually clothed in
Confederate gray, was familiar the streets, or
might be seen almost every evening mounted on
Il rather mean horse on which be took regular
exercise. He invited the approach and freedom
of the commonest men, but sometimes to the
disadvantage of his dignity. A number of
stories were told in Richmond of his curiousy
free intercourse with his soldiers, although they
lack something of the Napoleon tradition
Once when he crossing Capital square, n
drunken North Carolina soldier stopped him and
inquired 'iSay, mister, be's you Jefferson
Davs?" "Sir," returned the President, =" that
is my name" 81 thought so replied tar heel
'tyou looked so much like Confederate postage
stamp" Another occasion was more dramatic.
The President was returning with Mrs. Davis
from one of those customary festivities on flag
of truce boat that had come up the james.
Walking the street IN the night, unattended by
his staff, and with no indications of his impor-
tance, he had to pass, the front of the Libby
prison, where sentinel paced, and according to
his orders, forced passengers from the sidewalk
TO take the middle of the street. As the Presi-
dent, with his wife on his arm approached him,
he ordered them on the pavement. 81 am the
President" replied Davis, "allow us to pass"
g None of your CANNON" replied the soldier,
bringing his musket to his shoulder, "if you
don't get into the street, I'll blow the top of
your head off," % But am Jefferson Davis-I
am your Presdent-no more of your insolence :"
and the President pressed forward. He was
rudely thrust back, and in moment had drawn
his sword or dagger concealed in his cane, and
was about to rush on the insolent sentinel, when
Mrs. Davis flung herself between the strange
combatants, and by her screams aroused the Of
fcer of the guard. Explanations were made,
and the President went safely home. But iu-
stead of the traditional reward of the faithful
sentry, that has usually graced such romantic
adventures, came order next day for the
Libby to degrade the soldier, and give him a
taste Of bread and water for his unwilling insult
TO the Commander-n-Chie of the Confederate
armies.