The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-02
FRED DOYLE WON THE MEDAL


Continued from Eighth Page.
to confer the command of state troops
Shortly after his return from the war, the
Governor of Mississippi appointed him TO
The Senate, there being vacancy. In 1850
he was elected 10 the Senate and defend
ed the rights of the South in the slavery
questions which were then agitating the
Senate. After his term he took a small
part in state politics. When Pierce ran
for the presidency, Davis having known
him, advocated his election. on Pierce
becoming President, he appointed Davis
Secretary of War. Davis served through
the administration, showing great ability
He introduced many reforms in the army
and improved the coast defense After
the term the people of Mississippi again
honored him by electing him to the Sen
ate. AS before, his principal political OPP
ponent was Senator Douglas. 1t was now
in 1860, and a division of the union was
seen to be imminent. Davis was in favor
of diverting the threatened struggle He
was appointed a member of the committee
to try to adjust the differences of the sec-
TONS but nothing was able to be done
on account of the obstinacy of the North
ern radicals
And now Jefferson Davis was called from
Washington by the state to which he
owed his allegiance seeding. He came
rome and found the solid South aflame.
The representatives of the Confederacy
were in session at Montgomery Davis
was appointed major general commanding
the provisional army of Mississippi bu,
ne was obliged to give up this position
soon after. Then the Southern people.
through their delegates called on Jeffer-
son Davis to be their President Some
smali-mlnded men have said that jefferson
laws used diplomacy and politics to gain
for himself the presidency This is IN.
true, for he was particularly DESTROYS to
take the field. But the South needed a
good mansat her head. Lincoln was a de-
termlned man, and the Confederaey need
ed man like Davis, who was equally de-
termined and brave The Confaderates
knew him to be a man with but one
thoughts the welfare of his fellow citizens.
ana ne knew them to be impelled to the
struggle by one motive only, the defense
of their rights. So both, with clear CON
sciences, enter on struggle. the most no.
bic, glorious and self-sacrihcing known
70 history. Davis on his trip from his
nome to Montgomery to be inaugurated.
received continual ovation, and made
twenty-five short speeches at as many
places. The booming of cannons and the
cneers of thousands marked his arrival
at Montgomery. He was inaue11rate5 in
the presence OF a vast concourse of neo-
pie. When Davis assumed the presidency,
IL meant something quite different from
the idea the word now CONVEYS. When
Washington assumed the presidency of
tne Ohlted States he had to form
a government, but Davis had
not only to form government
put also to make up an
army and navy to defend his country from
the invasion Of an enemy of almost over
towering strength as well. The navy con-
sisted mainly of vessels converted mt
gunboats, as the South contained few "a
cihties for shipbuilding and very few were
therefore, turned out. A few arsenals
turned out an inadequate supply of arms
and ammunition for the army. The bonn
bardment of Fort Sumter caused Lincoln
to call for volunteers to overcome the
South. Then Davis declared war. In spite
of the many difficulties, thousands of Con-
federate troops were being poured INTO
Virginia.
The capital was now removed to
Richmond The election of Davis
which before was only temporary. was now
ratified and he was elected for Term of
six years. Davis had gathered around
him the foremost men of the South. Alex
ander H. Stephens was vice president. AS
politics were now out of question in the
South, President Davis selected his cabi
w
trying now. From all sides came demands
for arms and equipment The demand
was supplied as much as possible A bat
tie was seen to be imminent Supplies
and troops were being rushed to Manassas
Junction. On July p the battle occurred
President Davis set out for Manassas.
His arrival on the field was greeted with
cheers He saw the commanding generals
but left everything to their judgment and
eli Of harf A.
mand for men and arms from every direc-
lion became greater. Davis did every
thing in his power. The Confederate cur
rency, too, began to depreciate in yaIue
He often visited the quarters of the troops
camped near Richmond. He spurned al
pleasures and devoted his entire time to
the service of his country. He was polite
and kind TO all, from the highest general
down to the messenger boy. He often
spent his time in the field. At the battle
of Malvern Hill he had to be ordered to
the rear repeatedly
AT one time nearly everybody was
clamorng for Albert Sidney John
son to be taken from his COM
mand. But Davis had confidence in John
son and upheld him. The battle of Shiloh
in which, at the moment of victory, John
son was killed proved Davis to be right.
Like this. also, there were protests
against Lees high command, but Davis
remained true 10 Lee, and now we all
agree with him. Davis was never hasty
in making any conclusion, and always
listened atteutively to the opinions OF his
advisers and generals. Davis was blamed
by many for disasters and mistakes But
above all he arose calm and dignifed His
conduct was always an encoura cement to
the South. Davis has been blamed for the
mistakes in reality due to his cabinet
The first secretary of war proved unde-
sirable to many generals. and was re-
moved. The whole war was filed up with
incidents like these apd many others
Davis always proved to have the benefit
of his country at his heart. He met every
move of the federal government with a
determined couniermoye. But Il is need