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


JEFFERSON DAVIS.
J>ferson Davis died at 2.45 Friday MORN
ing. lie had been ailing for some time, but
few days ago was pronounced better.
Thursday, however, he began to sink RAPIDLY
and during the night peacefully slept away.
Jefferson Davis was II native Of Kentucky.
He was born on the 81 Of June. 1908. in
what is known as Todd county, then Part
of Christian county. While he was an in
fant the family removed 10 Woodviiie, vii.
kinsoa county, Miss. Young Davis received
an academical traing, and was then sent to
Trarsylvania College, in Kentucky, whence,
ia 1921, he went to Weot Point Military
Academy, under appointment from Presi-
dent Monroe.
He graduated after four years course in
1873, and remained in the army scven years
thereafter. lie WIS staff officer in the
Black Hawk war, and was made first lieu
tenant ct Cavalry in 1858. In 1891 he was
en- gag i'll service among the indians i'm the
West an resigned his commission in 1855
married tho daughter of Colonel Zachary
Tayio. then o. the army, but afterwards
General 5iifdi trUsiriuuU OF Ihe United Stat q
and began the life Of n cotton planter.
In 1911 he came to the front presiden-
t!al elector OF Mississippi on the Democratic
side, and III 1915 he was elected to "A seat in
the National House of Representatives. In
lSlG. tho trouble with Mexico teing on, he
LETT Congress to take command of regim mt
OF Mississippi volunteers. an went to the
aid Of his fa:her-in law, General Taylor
then lying on the Rio Grande with his Army
OF Occupation" Colonel Davis was ut the
lie d OF his regiment tthc hard tough bat.
tie OF Buena Vista on the 23l Of February,
1917. in which he was wounded.
In July, 1S47, his regiment was ordered
homo, It's term Of enlistmeut having expired
unanimously elected tor the unexpifeu term:
he Was reelected ia 1850, and in 1851 re-
signed to run against Henry s. Foo:o for
governor Of Mississippi. In this contest he
was beaten, and retired to private life until
tho next year, when he took an active part
in the campaign which resulted in the cleo
tion OF Franklin Pierce to the presidency.
Mr.. Pierce made Mr.. Davis his Secretary
ot war, and this important post he filled
until the e:ecton OF Mr.. Buchanan to tho
! Pre- dency. After retiring with tho Cabinet
or the outgoing pr, s!ent, Mr.. Davis was
again returned to the United States Senate,
being elected for the term which ended
March 8. 1868, i'll the midst OF the trcmcnd-
Gus Estate conflict which subs, quently
r'sultcd in such tremendous changes IN tho
whole )cial laLr.c OF the South. Mr.. Davis
had aspirations for the presidency in 1860,
but Jailed TO secure a nomination.
In the long struggle over State Rights,
an In tho acrimonious discussions OF the
slavery question: MIR. Davis had hesn prom
lnent. lie ayowed tie strongest Union sem
t.ments. however, up to this time; but the
election OF Mr. Lincoln d, cided him, and
thenceforth he was or separation. On tie
assembling OF Congress in December, 1860,
he took active part in the conference which
resulted in the secession from the Union OF
the Southern States and the Inauguration
OF The long and bloojy sti u.gle before allu-
del to.
On the night Of January 5, 1861, in a secret
caucus OF the Senators from Georgia, For
ida, Alabama, Mississippi, louisiana, Arkan-
sas and Texas the plan was loid, anu Mr..
Davis was made chairman OF au executive
committee to see that It was carried out, the
other members being stephen r. Mnuory
and John Sidell, OF louisiana. 1t is need
less to detail the plan OF operat. .ons. 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
orgainZod on the 9TH OF February, 1861, and
OH tue 9.h Mr.. Davis Was elected president
of the Confederate States OF America" lie
arrived in monts omery OH the lGih, and on
the 18th was inaug gurated. His first message
TO the Confederate Congress was sent III
April 23ih.
On the 18th Of April he had ordered tho
bombordmcnt of Fort Sumter, which began
the Civil war. On the goth 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
tysburg and V .cksburg in July, 1868, bliyhtcd
the prospects IN VIII ch MIR. Davis and the
South INDUCED, and at once u storm of in
dgnaton and execration came up from many
parts of the South.
Il m yNrI .ylsl IL,