The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-12-20

JEFFERSON DAVIS.
J>ferson Davis died at IL. 45 Friday morn
ing. He had boen ailing for some time, but
n few days ago was pronounced better.
Thursday, however, he began to sink RAPIDLY
and during the night peacefully slept away.
Jefferson Davis was n native Of Kentucky.
He was born on the 81 of June. 1903, in
what is known as Todd county, then q part
OF Christian county. While he was an in.
fant the family removed to Woodvlle, vii.
kinson county, Miss Young Davis received
an academical traing, and was then sent to
Transylvania College, in Kentucky. whence,
in 1921, he went to Weet Point Military
Academy, under appointment from Presi.
dent Monroe.
He graduated after four years course in
1873, and remained in the army seven years
thereafter. He WIS staff officer in the
Black Hawk war, and was made first lieu
tenant of cavalry in 1853. In 1891 he was
en- gage u III service among the Indians in the
West an resigned his Commission in 1885.
married tho daughter of Colonel Zachary
Tdylo:-then OF the army, but afterwards
General and President of tho United Stat 9
and began the life of a cotton planter.
In 18Th he came to the front as n presiden-
t.ai elector OF Mississippi on the d .m mocratic
side, and i'll lS45 he was elected to a seat in
the National House of Representatives. In
lSi6. the trouble with Mexico Icing on. he
left Congress to take command of a regim mt
of Mississippi volunteers, an 1 went TO tho
aid Of his fa:ber-in- law. General Tavlor.
then lying on the Rio Grande with his ARMY
OF Occupation" Colonel Davis was at the
Ee d OF his regiment at the hard fought bat
tie OF Buenp Vista on the 23l of February
1877. in which he was wounded.
In July, 1e47, his regiment was ordered
! homo, It's term of enlistLout having expired.
Y Snaaiwousiy elected tor the unexpireu IerIm
signed to run against Henry s. Foo:e for
governor OF Mississippi. In this contest he
was beaten, and retired to private life until
the next year, when he took an active part
in the campaign which res ulted in tho cleo
tlon OF Franklin Pierce to the presidency.
MIR. Pierce made Mr.. Davis his Secretary
OF War, and this important post he filled
until the e:ecton OF Mr.. Buchanan to tho
pres dency. After retiring with tho Cabinet
again returned to the United States Senate,
being elected for the term which ended
March 8, 1868, in the MIST of the tremend-
Gus in, er-stute conflict which subsequently
II suited III such tremendous changes IN the
whole s1cial iaLr.c of the South. Mr.. Davis
had aspirations for the presidency in 1860,
put tailed TO secure nomination.
In the long struggle over State Rights,
an In tho acrimonious discussions of the
slavery question, MIR. Davis had been prom
inent. lie ayowed tue strongest Union sem
t;ments however, up to this time; but the
election OF Mr.. Lincoln d. cided him, and
assembling OF Congress in December, 1860,
lie TOOK active part in the conference which
Resulted In the secession from the Union OF
the Southern States and the Inauguration
ded to.
On the night Of January 5, 1861, in q secret
caucus Of the Senators from Georgia, For
ida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkan-
sas and Texas the plan was loid, and Mr..
Davis was made chairman of an executive
committee to see that it was carried out, the
other members being stephen r. Mauory
and John Siidell, OF Louisiana. 1t is need
less TO detail the plan of operations. Suffice
1T to say that Mr.. Davis did not resign his
seat in the Senate until the 2lst of January.
The confederate Congress met at Mont
gomery and a provisional government was
organized on the 4th OF February, 1861, and
Oh the OH Mr.. Davis was elected 'President
! Of the Confederate States of America" He
arrived In Montco omery on the 10Th, and on
the 18th was inaugurated. His first message
to the Confederate Congress was sent in
April 29ih.
On the 18th of April he had ordered the
bombardment Of Fort Sumter, which began
the Civil war. On the 10th Of May the Con-
federate government was removed to Rich
mond, Va, and Mr.. Davis took up his resi-
dence in that city.
The victory at Bull Run when fifty thou
, sand Union troops were routed, inspired
! Davis to resume his pre- iictions of success
The victories Of the Union armies at Get
ty6Durg ana V NickSourS III July, 1868, bIi ghted
the prospects in VIII ch MIR. Davis and the
South INDUCED, and at once a storm of in
disnaC..l and execraSon came UP from many
parts Of the South.
On Sunday, the I'd OF April, 1865, while
Davis was stated in st. Paui's Church. he re-
ceive a note from the Confederate War De-
partment advising him OF Lees defeat. His
I, family had been sent Southwest some days
before, and the same evening, attended by
his personal staff. the members of his Cabi-
net, Davis left Richmond for Danville, when
he issued a proclamation declaring that tho
capital had been abandoned in order TO leave
the army free to strike the enemy in detail
far from his base.
After the surrender of Lees army to Grant,
N. c., and from thense to Charlotte, wher5
Lincoln and that he was accused of iDstigat-
ing the deed. A few days later he was in
formed that reward OF $lU0, 900 was offered
for his capture He still contemplated re-
sistanc>, and intended to cross the Missssp.
Pi with some troups that had joined him from
Johnston's army.
He had joined his wife, and was encamped
near Irwinville, Ga, on the 10th of May,
when body Of Union cavalry, commanded
by General j. III. Wilson, surrounded the
camp and arrested him.
He was conveyed to Fortress Monroe, where
he was confined two years.
In May, 1867, he was admitted to bail after
hearing before the United States Court in
Richmond on the charge of treason--Horace
Greeley being one or the parties signing the
bond. The charge OF completely in the as
sassination OF Lincoln WAS Abandoned