The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1913-05-01
IefeJor DzrJ 9
IS P1eszoeuf -

for their display These were not shown by mere
personal heroism, though his as we have already
said was Of the highest order but in thorough
equipment with all the of military skill
and science in the quick perception of the adap-
tation of means to ends, and in the cool discrimi
nation of judgment which became both prompt
er and steadier instead of being rufled
fused under the pressure of difficulty, the
stimulus of danger.
"He was daring without rashness and deliber-
ate without hesitation. He never led his
into needless danger, but never shrank from any
risk when necessary, and had the eye of eagle.
in discernment of the crisis, when risk
CURED. AS leader he commanded the unques-
tioning, unshrinking confidence of his followers
and his presence the field an inspiration
The skill to handle bodies of men was combined
with the magnetism that controls the wills of i1.-
divduals two of the most essential requisites for
the command of the volunteer troops of which
American armies are comprised"
Soon after the close of the Black Hawk war,
a regiment of dragons was formed and added to
the regular service. Henry Dodge of Iowa
made the colonel of the organization. Nj.
Davis promoted to the position of first lieu
tenant of one of the companies, and still further
honored by being appointed Immediately there
after adjutant Of the regiment-a choice that in
dicates better than anything else what manner of
man he
When Mr.. Davis was brought face to face with
the burning question of 1929 the problem Of
state versus national loyalty, and the rumor that
the regiment to which he belonged would prob
ably be sent to Charleston S. c., in event of open
hostlities, his words best set forth his posi-
ton: Then, much as 1 valued my commission.
much as desired to remain in the army, and dis
approving much as I did the remedy resorted
to, that commission would have been torn to tat
tiers before it would have been used in civil war
with the state of South Carolina"
Colonel Dodge, with select company Of hts
dragons, sent in 1884 to Fort Gibson on the
borders Of Arkansas and the Indian Territory.
near Red river, Lieutenant Davis accompanying
the detachment The policy Of the government
to collect the remnants of the many tribes of
Indians, both southern and northern in this far
off portion Of the country, had been developing
since the transfer of the Cherokees and Creeks
from western Georgia, upper Alabama and Mis-
s1ss1ppi to that reservation. and 1t was here that
the young lieutenant passed his last years in the
United States army. There was no longer need
of his being in service, he having served more
than the term of years required to repay the gov
eminent for his training at West Point. After a
year and half at Fort Gibson, he rendered HIS
resignation on June 80, 1885, and severed his con-
nect1on with the army, whose service he had GER
ta1nly loved. He had manifested decided capacity
Tor successful military command and his talent
Tor management and for ready decision i'm emer-
gencies had been clearly developed. His habits
had been temperate and sef-restrained with
tendency to books and the scholarly life
Then followed new life for short tfme-fn