Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-05-03

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in New Orleans on the Alabama, for Rrazos St
Iaso, near Port Isabel, in southeastern Texas. He
and his troops reached there Aug. >. and were
encamped for some weeks OF hard drill such as
only West Pointer knows how 10 give, but when
at last they joined General Taylor they were pro
nouncod the best trained and most orderly yolun-
teer troops in the army. 1t a remarkable
organization Colonel Davis made reputa-
ton which transcribed that of any other officer
except General TAYLOR himself. OF him the Mis-
sissippians at the front said: IF the time of our
regiment expires and our colonel even then
thinks We could be useful. there is not a man Ia
his regiment who would not sacrifice his life 70
obey him. so much has his gallant conduct raised
him in their estimation. The degree of power
his coolness courage and discretion have ac-
Quired for him in the army generally is incred-
ibie"
On Feb 22-3 1917, Santa Ana approached the
American position-a high plateau eight miles
south of Saltillo. His army of 10000 men attack
ed General Taylor's left This Colonel Da-
Wis celebrated stand which reported all over
the country 1t had saved the day for General
Taylor
The battle of Buena Vista virtually closed the
war 50 far the field Of General TaylOrs opera
tons concerned.
A few weeks after his return from Mexico. Col
oneI Davis was appointed by the governor of Mis-
sissippi to a seat in the United States senate
vacated by the death Of one of the state senator's
In December lS47. he took his seat for the
first time in the United States senate. where he
remained until 1851, when he resigned to take
part in the issues of Mississippi In 1852 he took
part in the campaign of Franklin Pierce and in
March 1853 became secretary of war. At this
time he was in excellent physical health intel
lectually in his prime, and morally there was
rarely to be found more commanding character
in the country.
In March 1851 Mr. Davis re-entered the senate.
wa OF
chanan-durng part of the time Mr.. Davis was
seriously ill., and at the close Of the session. 1853,
he made a visit to the New England states. be-
ing received everywhere with the highest marks
of courtesy and popular esteem.
Mr.. Davis. when aroused, a master OF ora
tory. Of which he gave brilliant displays in the
senate and on the hustings indeed. there were
occasions when he arose to the majestic, and
caused the minds of his hearers to revert to SINH
lar appeals of Rienzi and Demosthenes. In the
memorable debates in the senate-iS59i S6f-he
bore a conspicuous and commanding part His
speeches of this period exhibit anxious premo-
milton of the impending rupture. land when Mis-
sissippi. not a matter of choice but of neces-
sity resolved to secede. and the southern sena-
tors took formal leave of their colleagues. what
pen should depict their anguish? Mr. Davis had
passed sleepess night due to the pressing
sponsibiIity Of his course. well TO illness
Nevertheless he appeared in his accustomed place
The floor halls and galleries thronged with
earnest spectators they had been only
great occasions when the voices of Webster and
Clay had resounded, Amid profound silence Mr.
Davis arose to bid his adieu-the whole world
knew that it too late for aught else He
spoke in simple chaste English devoid of flowers
of rhetoric, but in such sorrowful and convincing
manner that many tear fell upon cheeks
customed to the moisture of emotion II was not
difficult for that generation to understand the
principles which actuated him.
Tba o,to IF MfCcic fnp{ ofto OrJoir iry
the withdrawal Of the state from the Union, had
adopted IN ordinance providing for the levy of
force OF 10000 men and comforting the chief com
mand upon Mr.. Davis, with the rank of major
general. This he accepted and FASTENED home
from WASHINGTON to make arrangements for rails
ing and organizing the troops. It his destiny
to enact part yet more conspicuous than hther
TO in the saddest drama Of modern history. War
the greatest of modern wars. the greatest in some
respects known in the history of the human
race" II lasted four years and a little over:
marked throughout by sanguinary conflicts with
heroic exploits both sides all of which have
been duly chroniced in proper place. When Mr.
jefferson Davis, after a short Illness. died in New
Orleans Dec 6. 1889 North and South. East and
West, recognized the fact that "a great soul had
passed away" He borne to his temporary
tomb in Metairie cemetery by the governors Of
nine states. and during the winter following the
legislatures of the South held formal memorial
sessions. Never more universal homage rem
dered to departed chfeftain. Four years later
by request of the people OF Richmond, Va. and
OF the South generally. his remains removed
to Hollywood cemetery and given final sculpture
In Richmond the people collected from all parts
of the country and listened TO fond eulogfes Of
men who had known him best fitting statue
erected to his memory representing him in
the full vigor of mature manhood, as a cavalry
commander
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own hostess their husbands to them practicing