The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-10-16

olay' 'r, the son OF our "Harry of tn
west as he was termed. Col. Cla,
heard the crack of rife in his rea
and calling to his army said: "That
the Mississippi Rifles led BY Jetferso,
Davis Hold firm. Young Clay lost hi
life in that battle. Jefferson Davis cam
up with his Mississippi Rifles and a
there was deep ravine on the right
: and deep canyon on the left, he say
tnat he could not throw his regimen
Q into line. Instantly his military geniu,
suggested that he form a V. of his regi
, ment that every gun might be brough
to bear against the army Of the Mexi
cans and as Santa Anna came charging
down with his Lancers, every soldier in
front Of the Mexican army reeled in his
saddle and fell to the ground swept BY
the unerring fire OF the Mississippi
Rifles and thus the battle was won
The next morning when Gen. Taylor, In
command Of the army of the United
States, called upon the officers and men
to form in line before his tent In order
that he might thank them for their ser.
vice, he turned to Col. Jefferson Davis
and said to him: "Col. Davis, want to
thank you for saving the American
army yesterday
Mr.. Davis returned to Mississippi
and was elected to the senate of the
United States. He had studied the
political history Of the United States as
pupil Of the great John G. Calhoun of
South Carolina. He covered himself
with renown as statesman in advocat.
ing the great doctrine of home rule and
community independence and when
Mississippi adopted the ordinance Of
secession Mr.. Davis in that memorable
speech which for genuine eloquence
has never been surpassed, bowed his
adieu to the Senate and came back to
Mississippi and was elected President
of the Confederacy. 1t has some times
been said that Mr.. Davis committed
mistakes. ! know of but one mistake
that he did commit and that was when
he consented to accept civil Office and
not 60 into the field.
He was by nature and education
military man and possessed the power
of instilling confidence into the breast
Of every soldier under him. His first
act as President OF the Confederacy was
to send commission to Washington to
negotiate treaty of peace with the
United States. The Secretary Of State
of the United States refused to receive
them as commission from the Con-
federacy, but pledged himself that the
Status Quo of the army Of the United
States, then assaalting the great Fort
Montrie in harbor of Charleston, should
not be changed without notice to the
Confederate commission. In violation Of
this pledge the commission learned that
vessels of war loaded with ammunition
and soldiers had been dispatched from
the harbor Of New York to the harbor
Of Charleston to reinforce the army OF
the United States. Mr.. Davis had to
organize an army and create govern
,nent for the Confederacy during the
four Years Of the war between the
States. Mr.. Davis did not do any act
that the sunlight OF heaven could not
shine upon. When at length the sur
rcndcr was made at Appomatox and the
terms OF that surrender which was a
in writing, it was stipulat-
ed that il the Confederate soldiers
would return to their homes and yield
peaceful obedience to the laws in force
and refrain from any act Of hostility
against the Federal Government, Gen.
Grant pledged on the part Of the gov
ernment that they should never be dis
turbed on account of their participation
in the war between the States. A
similar provision was inserted In the
made by Mr.. Joseph Il.
Johnston and his Confederate army in
North Carolina, hence It was because OF
this stipulation that Gen. Grant felt
hat to indict Gen. Lee would be
violation of the terms of his parole.
Mr., Davis was captured, sent to
Fortress Monroe, placed in dungeon,
md subsequently by the order OF the
Of War Stanton, Gen. Miles,
he commander of Fortress Monroe,
vas ordered to put him in irons, and the
rons we're fastened on his limbs. Thus
jefferson Davis suffered for every Con-
ederate soldier--you, my comrades, bc-
nQ as guilty as Jefferson Davis. The
var department issued an order that
,resident Davis, then confined in For
ress Nj nroe with the whole army OF
he United States to guard him, should
lot he allowed TO read newspaper or
,ook from the library. This, to mind
Ike Davis, was like putting out his
yes with hot spikes. Subsequently
he government Of the United States
evoked the,order forbidding him to read
,ooks from the library. The librarian
ame to his dungeon. Gen. Miles We
here, and said to Mr.. Davis shat he
oald have just what tsoks he desired
nd asked what ones he wanted. Mr..