Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-03-19

Was slngui+rly impressive.
Immediately upon the breaking out
Of the Mexican War, Mr.. Davis offer.
ell bis services. At the storm oil
Monterey bis figure was one of the
most conspicuous.
II was Mr.. Davis's skill and cour-
age that saved the day at Buena Wis.
Ia Vol. l., PIP. 345-352:
Here Colonel Davis formed the
celebrated V, which in reality was no
V. but re.entering angle. The for
nation was ordered by Colonel Davis
without the counsel or cooperation of
any officer, for indeed there were
none to advise with"
Jefferson Davis twice saved the
day during the great battle which
conquered one-half of Mexico, aud
made Gen. Taylor President of these
United States"
Much space is appropriately given
to Mr.. Davis's Congressional services.
Many portraits Of celebrated men
are given in these volumes. Those of
Stephens and Toombs are characters.
tic. Vol. l., PIP. 4l0. 4l1-447:
He loved Alexander FL. Stephens
with tenderness that was almost pa.
thetic, and was az much beloved by
him.
"They were very sharply contrast
ed personally. Mr.. Tombs was over
six feet tall, with broad shoulders !;
his fine head set well on his should.
ers. and was covered with long glossy
black hair, which when speaking he
managed 10 toss about 80 as to recall
the memory of Danton.
"Mr. Stephens was not small, but
he looked so. from the shortness of
his body. The shape of his head was
unpublished and immature. His arms
were disproportion ately long. and his
beardless. wrinkled face gave him the
look Of one born out of season. His
eyes were clear hazel, and had q fine,
critical. deliberate expression that
commanded attention. His voice was
thin, and piercing like a woman's but
there the resemblance ended. His
was q virile mind sustained by an in.
flexible will. I was quite
near Mr.. Calhoun. and saw him cume
in supported on each side by a sena.
tor, breathing in short gasps, emaciat-
ed 10 the last degree. his eyes shining
with fever; but his eagle glance swept
the Senate in the old lordly way.
Seeing me. lie gave me one burning
hand as he passed. whispering. my
child. l am too weak to STOP he
passed on and dropped into his seat"
In the midst of all the action and
turmoil of his public career we get
charming glimpses of domestic life.
Mr.. Davis's withdrawal from the
Senate after the secession of his State
is given in bis own words. Vol. l.,
PIP. 6S6-6s7:
Photographic intelligence of the Sc
cession of Mississippi had reached
Washington some considerable time
before the fact was officially aunounc-
ed to me. This official knowledge l
considered it proper to await before
taking formal leave OF the Senate.
My associates from Alabama and Flor
ida concurred in this view. Accord.
ingly having received notification of
the secession of these three States
about the same time. on January 2lst,
Msssrs. Yules and Mallory, of Flori.
da, Fitzpatrick and Clay. Of Alabama,
and myself, announced the withdraw.
al Of the States from which we were
respectively accredited. and took leave
of the Senate at the same time"
Volume II. takes up Mr.. Davis's
life at the period of his retirement
from the United States Senate in
obedience to what he regarded as bis
imperative duty to his State. There
had been rumors current that the
retiring members of Congress would
be arrested. Mr.. Davis remained q
week in the capital, but (Vol. II. p. 81
mo attempt was made, however, to
arrest any of the retiring members;
and, after delay of few days spent
in necessary preparations, left Wash.
ington for Mississippi, passing through
Southwestern Virginia, East Tennes
see, q small part Of Georgia, and
North Alsbama. A deep interest in
the events which had recently oc.
CURED was exhibited by the people of
these States. and much anxiety was
indicated as to the future.
AT jackson. Mr.. Davis found his
commission from Governor |. I. Pet.
tus, as Msjor-Gsneral of the forces of
Mississippi, dated January 25, 1861.
Then began the business of making
provisions for arms. and for the or
ganization and discipline of the forces
Of Mississippi. Governor Pettus came
to Mr.. Davis to consult about the
purchase of arms. He thought 75,,
600 stand would be sufficient. Again
Mr.. Davis was very emphatic. saying,
1.-THE limit of our purchases should be
our power 10 pay. We shall need all
and many more than we can get, !
fear" Governor Pettus. once or more
during the conference, remarked.
General, you overrate the risk"
OF his election as President Mr..
Davis himself says. Vol. H., p. II:
ION the next day February 9th)
an election was held for the chief