The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-26
BEFORE THE WAR.
Born in the Same State as Lincoln-As
Planter and Military Leader.

Planter and Military Leader.
Anert the Revolutionary war samuel Davis,
who had served in 10 us one of the mounted
men OF GEORGIA, settled iu Kentucky, PEND
lug That war. in 1852, the very year mat
George Rogers Clarke captured kaskaskli 90,
thomas Lincoln. of hOckngham county, va
IemoYeito The same state. Jefferson Davis.
tine SON of the nist-uamed settler was born
0u june 3. l-Os, and Om February -, lbOJi
was born the son of the other, Abraham Linz
coin samuel Davis moved 10 Mississippi
His son hccamc q cadet 40 west Point under
the appointment from President Monroe, "a. a
soon commissioned as Lieutenant on the
United states army. appeared In the service
ngutlug the Indians on the frontier ia the
Black Hawk war Tn carly manhood Aurl-
ham Lincoln moved 10 Illinois, and now bee
coming captain OF volunteers, he and Jel-
fcrsun Davis were under the same nag en-
gagged Boo the same warfare.
John Hampton and oliver Cromwell had
once engaged passage for America ana
George Washington was about 10 become "a
mdslifmlu ln the British navy. Had not
circumstances CHANGED these plans Humpde n
and Cromwell might have become great
names DOB American history And suppose Nd
mlrIl George Washington, under the colofs
Of King George H., had been pursuing lhe
Count - stalngWnose French Meet nemmed
CORVALLIS DOB af l0rkiOWm-Who knows no 3
tne story of the great Revolution might have
been Writteu2 HadJtfersOn Davis gone % IT.
iuOls and Lincoln tO NJ ssisslupl. what dlIef'
emf histories would be around those names
and Nef / fancy that the great struggle win
Which they were Identified would have been
changed only In Incidents and not IN us great
currents
oN his MISSISSIPPI ESTATE.
In 1888 Lieutenant Davis resigned his com-
mission in the army. intermarried Bliss lay
lor. De- daughter of toleuol zachary Taylor,
and retired to his Mississippi estate,
where Tor eight ycafs he spent his time IN
literary studies and agricultural pursuits
country gentleman with fun library and
broad acres.
before tine country squire suddenly emerged
from Ohscurity as q DICTATOR. leader OF Par.
Lament. and "a soldier 10 plead ana ngnt and
dc ln the peoples cause against tfrant =
and "a faX-gathefer's cXactiOus. such life a.
his was that of many OF the fathers OF THIS
republic. and when Jefferson Davis entered
public lie ln 1913 he came as Washington,
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, denry Mason,
Clay, Calhoun. and Andrew Jackson had
come before him from southern planta-
ton. where be had been the head Of family
and lhe master OF slaves.
rs POLITICAL WAYS.
From 1913 to 1851 the life Of Jefferson Da-
Wis Was spent for tie most part In public ser
vices. and they were as distinguished ms the
occasions which called them into reQulsltlOn
were numerous aud important. presden-
tlal eleclOr, "a member oi the House OF Rep
reseutaliYcs. q United states senator (once
bv auponunentanl twice boy eleciiOnl. a col
Onrl lu the volunteers OF Mexico, twice a
candidate for Governor OF his state before
thc people, these designations give sugges-
lions OF the number and dignity Of his EN-
Payments.
MILITARY SERVICES IN MEXICO.
How he led the Mississippi rlnemen in
stOrming Monterey without bayOnets; how
he threw them into the famous "N' 10 re-
ceiye and repulse the Mexican laneers at the
crisis OF the battle Of Buena Vista; how,
though wounded and bleeding from "a musket-
shot. he sat his horse and would not quit the
field tlll victory had crowned h. Is picture
that hangs eOnspicuOusly In the galleries oi
our history. The movement, prompt. orgi-
nal ard decisive, disclosed the general OF
rare ability; the personal conduct ayouehed
colonel Davis" said General Taylor in his
report Though severely wounded, remained
in the saddle until the close OF the &C ton.
HIS distinguished GOODNESS and gallantry AZ
the head OF his regiment on this day entitle
hi % 90 the particular notice Of the govern
ment.'
Colonel Davis won The battle OF Buena
Vista. and Buena Vista made General Taylor
President
MEMBER OF PfERCL's CABINET.
Secretary OF War in the Cabinet OF presi-
dent Pierce, position which he only ac-
cepted after repeated solicitation. he was an
officer second 20 none who has ever admins
tered that department In executive faculty
and In benefits bestowed on the military ser
vice
IL was under his direction that George b.
Mcclellan, then captain, afterwards Cen
cIal-in- Chief and n mmandeF Of the Army OF
The Potomac, was sent with comm ission 10
the Crimca 10 observe military operations
and 10 study the tactics ana conditions Of the
European armies there engaged; the result
Ol which introduced many improvements.
There Was nothing That came within his
jurisdiction that he did not methodize and
seek 10 extend 10 the widest range Of utility.
Material changes were made In the model Of
aims. Iron gun-carriages were introduced
and experiments made which led 10 the cast
Ing of heavy guns hollow, Instead Of boring
them after the casting. The army was In
creased Boy TWO regiments Of cavalry and two
ol infantry. Amongst his earnest recon-
menlntlOns were the revision OF army regu-
iHliOss, the Increase OF the medical corps; the
Introduction al light Infantry tactics, Ilfied
muskets and balls. the exploration OF the
Western frontiers. and the maintenance OF
large gafrlsons for the defense Of settlers