Wichita eagle., 1889-12-08


No dark sibyl hailed them at their birth as
the coming opponents of an awful struggle
No prophet would have dared predict in the
days of their prominence that the rugged
Lincoln was soon to fall, while the defeated,
an invalid during third of his life, would
survive his great antagonist for quarter Of
a century, OUTLYING all the actors of his age
In the great struggle, yet such was to be the
irony Of fate. History presents many para
doxes, but none greater than this: that the
victor should fall in the very hour of victory
and the defeated live till almost every trace
of the conflict had vanished, to die Of mere
old age.
The ancestors of Jefferson Davis were Of
pure English stock, but SO long resident in
America that the type had become thorough
ly southern American. On both sides they
served in the war for American independ-
ence, his father, Samuel Davis, winning
some distinction in the mounted troops of
Georgia OF his two sons, jefferson early be-
came soldier, while Joseph, man of talent,
scarcely, If at all, inferior, gained a local
success as lawyer and planter in Mississippi.
The brothers were notably affectionate in
childhood and remained through life devoted
to each other.
Soon after the birth of jefferson, Samuel
Davis removed to Mississippi, locating near
Woodville, in Wilkinson county. The sons
there acquired an unusually good English
education for the time, and at an early age
Jefferson entered Pennsylvania college, Ken
lucky. In 1924, however, President Monroe
appointed him cadet at West Point, whence
he was graduated in 1928, at the early age Of
90 He had stood high in his class, and at
once entered on active duty, though for some
time commissioned only as a brevet second
lieutenant. Promotion was very slow in those
peaceful times, but he soon won his full COM
mission, and in the next three years demon
strated his organizing capacity, both as in
fantry and staff officer on the northwestern
frontier.
The year 1881 brought surprise and many
promotions. Black Hawk entered on his IA
NOUS campaign, and Jefferson Davis was at
once given an active and responsible position
TO muster In and organize the new recruits.
There has long been tradition that in this
capacity be mustered in the company of Hi
nois volunteers from New Salem and vicinity
commanded by Capt Abraham Lincoln, but
there is no record of it.
CAMPAIGNS AGAINST THE INDIANS.
Early in 1898 Lieut. Davis was transferred
from bis place in Company B, First United
States infantry, and in recognition of his
services in the Black Hawk war was promo
ted to first ieutenancy in the First United
States dragons, of which command he was
soon made adjutant. In this position he
made very brilliant record, not only as an
organizer and efficient administrator III gar
rison life, but in several active campaigns
against the Comanches, Pawnees and other
Indians And it is at this stage of his career
that active, one might say acrid, criticism
first concerns itself with jefferson Davis.
Those writers who persist in attributing the
downfall of the Southern Confederacy to
President Davis allege that thus early he ex.
hibited the same faults and virtues which
marked his administration i'll greater and
greater degree with each successive increase
of rank and power. The greatest fault al
legged. perhaps is unreasonable attachment
to a few friends and corresponding prejudice
against other persons.
1t was while in this service that Lieut.. Da-
Wis wooed and won a daughter of the eminent
general and president, Zachary Taylor Her
father was in command Of Fort Crawford,
near Prairie Du Chen. and his daughter,
beautiful and refined young lady, was the
center of attraction among the subordinate
officers Innumerable are the romantic sto-
ries of their rivalres the final success Of Lieut..
Davis, the bitter opposition Of the stern
parent and Old Indian fighter, and the final
departure by night of the young couple to
be married by priest on the western bank OF