Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-09-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
MARRIAGE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

MARRIAGE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
1t may not be generally known that Jefer-
son Davis, of Mississippi, late President of
the Confederate States of America, was first
married to a daughter of the lamented Zachary
Taylor, who was elected President of United
States in 1913, Much less are the peculiar
incidents aud romantic circumstances attend
ing Mr. Daviss 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 century ago, Col. Taylor COM
manded Fort Crawford, at Prairie Du Chen,
Wis, Qhen Michigan), aud his family were
with him. Jefferson Davis, then a young
graduate of West Point, bearing lieutenant's
commission in the regular army, was also
under orders at the same fert. Handsome,
brave and chivalrous by nature, and possessing
all the suavity. ease, and grace which thorough
intellectual culture and the most refined So
ciety conters, is was not strange that his heart
became the target Tor very many of Cupid's
seldom erring arrows. One of those arrows,
being directed by glance of Miss Knox
Taylors flashing eyes, "hit the mark, !" aud it
so happened that Miss Knox's heart went
with the missile, and that the two hearts
became indssouby connected. Col. Taylor,
looking with disfuvor upon the situation, re-
solved to break the alliance, and accordingly
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 fol-
lowing conversation ensued:
"Knox, what can possibly be the object of
Lieutenant Davis in visiting this house SO
frequently 2"
ca l.. "a =.
and talk with me-"
"You surely do not encourage his visits"
"Why not? Lieutenant Davis is handsome,
generous, refined, aud courageous. Young
ladies usually feel themselves complimented
by the attentions of such gentlemen"
''This will never do-neeer do, Knox. l
must forbid him the house."
"Why, father! what possible objection have
you to Lieutenant Davis Z"
"IIe is all that you claim for him, my
daughter, but he is too headlong and head
strong. Should you become his wife, you
will be left widow after his first battle. In
truth, there is no telling to what sad fate that
young mans rash impetuosity will lead him.
1t will not dot will neve, 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 ,con,an's resotves.
Lieutenant Davis received an intimation
sufficiently pointed to enable him to under
stand that his presence at Colonel Taylor's
could be dispensed with. Nothing of un-
usual interest occurred during the succeeding
month, except that the health of the Colonel's
beautiful and accomplished daughter declined
rapidly, and it came to be seriously feared
Al. i. I'll 1. 1
marked her as another victim, whilst the
young lieutenant became SO quick tempered
and irritable that if any one dared even to
regret that Miss Taylor was not looking so
we'll as usual, coffee and pistols for two were
likely to be called for. a denouement came,
however, as usual in all strategic movements
either in love OF war.
One bright morning, ere the early bee had
gone forth to gather his sweets from flower
aud field, Colonel Taylor was aroused from his
slumbers. BY strange coincidence lie had
been dreaming of wild JEFF" upon his noble
steed, with Knox SO gracefully sitting her
blooded pony. running the gauntlet of scalping
knives, tomahawks, and poisoned Arrows
Being awakened. he demanded to know why
he had been disturbed at SO unreasonable an
hour.
''Aye, aye, sir-it's only Patrick after
coming to till yer honor that Miss Knox S
/ darlint pony has gone out through the key
(kay) hole of the stable, bridled and saddled
himself, aud set out on a race with the wild
winds, if ye judge by the wide apart prints
of his hoofs that he was afther LAWN behint
him, sir, and Miss Knox hersilf, sir, must
have fashioned hersilf in the bonnet box in
her room, for sure Biddy, the girl. and Sally.
the nagur, watched time about, both at once,
after seeing her to retire. and she didn't get
out, and she's not in there, sir, and"
"Silence! !" roared the colonel.
"Yis,- -yis, your sarvent," cried Pat, placing
his ear to the key hole.
"Can you tell me, Patrick" said the colonel,
''whether Lieutepaut Davis's horse is in his
stall p the colonel at the same time stepping
to the door.
He is not, sir, and his sarvant protists it,
red skin as rode him away. Sure there's
not another rider this side the oud dart would
get such jumps from horse as the lieutenant's
made when he was lawn, aud that ye can know
be measuring the space 'twixt his tracks"
"Well, well, Patrick, go now"