Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-01-15
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE CONFED-
ERATE PRESIDENT.
Birth and Early EGucatiOE-Seryice In
tho Mexican Tar-SeEatOr and Sec
rcaary OF Wnr-A Glance at fhe
History of the COEfetieracy.

the Mexican yTar-SeEatOr and Sec
Rotary of Wnr-A Glance at fhe
History Of the Confeferaey.
from Eelfoids Magazine for January
was born june 3, 1903, in Christian
county, KY, in IT, at part of it. which, by a
division, is now in Todd county.
At this place has since arisen the village of
Fairview, and on the exact spot where
was born has been constructed the Baptist
church OF the place. My father, Samuel
Davis, was native of Georgia and served
in the War of the Revolution, first III the
ssmourted gunmen," "ard after wards as cap
tain of infantry at the siege of Savann ah.
During my infancy my father removed to
Wilkinson county, Miss. After passing
through the county academy l entered
Transvaal College, Kentucky, at the age of
sixteen, and was advanced IS far as the
senior class. when I was appointed to the
United States Military Academy at West
Point which I entered in September, 1924.
graduated in 1928. and then, in accordance
with the custom of cadets, entered active
service with the rank Of lieute ant, serving
as an officer of in fsntry on the Northwest
frontier until 1883, whep, regiment of
ferred to it. After euccesssul campaign
against the Indians 1 resigned from the
army in 1885, being anxious to fulfill long
existing engagement with daughter of
Colonel Zachary Taylor, when l married,
not after a romantic elopemeat,' as has so
often been stated, but at the house of her
aunt and in the D, ssence of her relatives,
at place near Louisville, Ky Then be-
,lay ,tor in Wc tU
Miss. 1t was my misfortune early in my
married life to lose my wife, and for many
years hereafter lived in great seclusion on
the plantation in the swamps of the Missis
sippi In 1S43 I, for tho first time, took
part in the political life of the country.
Next wear was chosen one Of the presi-
Dental electors-at-large of the State, and in
the succeeding year was elected to Congress,
taking my seat il the House of Represen-
tatives in December, 1845. The proposition
to terminate the joint occupancy Of Oregon
and the reformation of the tariff were the
two questions arousing most public atten-
ton at that time, and | took aa active part
in their discussion, especially III that of the
first.
During this period hostilities with Mexico
commenced, and in the legislation which
the contest rendered necessary my military
education enabled me to take somewhat
prominent part
In June, 1916, regiment nf Mississippi
volunteers -as organized at Vicksburg, OF
which l was elected colonel. On receiving
notice of the election l proceeded to over
take the regiment, which was already on
it's way to Mexico, and joined it at New
Orleans. Reported to General Tay or, then
commanding at Camargo, my regiment, al
though the last to arrive-haviug been de
tanned for some time on duty at the mouth
of the Rio Grapde--was selec ed to move
with the advance upon the city of Monterey.
The want of transportation prevented Gen
eral Taylor from taking the whole body OF
volunteers who had reported there for duty.
The Mississippi regiment was armed entire
ly with percussion rifles, and here it may he
Interesting to s'a'e that General Scott, in
Washington, epdeavored> to persuade me
not to take more rifles than enough for four
companies, and objected particularly 70 per
cussion arms, as t having been sufficient
" tested for the uss of troops in the field.
Knowing that the Mississippians would
have no confidence in the Old flintloc
muskets, l ipssted on their bsfhg armed
with the kind of rife then recently made at
New Haven, Conn the Whitney rifle.
From having been first used by the Missis-
sippiaus, these rifles have always been
known as the Mississippi rifles.
In the attack on Monterey General Tay-
lor divided his force, sending one part of it
by circuitous road to attack the city from
the west, while be decided to lead in person
the attack on the east. The Mississippi
regiment advanced to the relief of force
which had attacked Fort Lenaria, but had
been repulsed before the Mississippians ar
rived. They carried the redoubt, and the
fort which was in the rear of it surrendered
The next day our force on the west side car
ried successfully the height on which stood
the bishops palace, which commanded the
city.
On the third day the Mississi ppians ad-
vanced from the. fort which they held
through lanes and gardens, skirmishing
and driving the enemy before them until
they reached two-stOry house at the cor
ner of the Grand Plaza. Here they we're
Joined by q regiment of Texans, end from
the windows of this house they opened fire
IN the artillery and such other troops as
we're in view. But to get better position
for firing on the principal building of the
Grand Plaza it was necessary to cross the
street, which was swept by canister and
grape, rafting on the pavement like hail:
and as the street WIS very paTrow it was
determined to instruct a flying barricade.
Some long tim bers we're found, and with
pack saddles and boxes, which served the
purpose, barricade was constructed
Here occurred an iucdent to which have
since frequently referred with pride. Iu
breaking open quartermaster's store house
to get supplies for this barricade the men
found bundles of the much priced Mexcaq
blankets and also of very serviceable shoes
and pack-saddes. The pack-saddles were
freely taken as good material for the pro
posed barricade, and one of my men, as his
shoes were broken aud stones had hurt his
feet, asked my permission to take pair
from one of the boxes. This, of course,
was freely accorded. but rot one of the very
and much priced Mexican blankets
was taken.
About the time that the flying barrieade
was completed arrangements were made by
the Texans and Miesissippians to occupy
houses on both sides of the street for the
of more effective fire into the Grand
Plaza. 1t having been deemed necessary to
increase our force the Mississippi sergeant
major was sent back for some companies of
the First Mississippi, which had remained
behind. He returned with the statement
that the enemy was behind US, that all our
troops had been withdrawn, land that orders
had been three times sent to me to return.
Governor Henderson, of Texan, bad accom-