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

for their display. These were not shown by mere
personal heroism though his as have already
said. was Of the highest order but in thorough
equipment with all the resources 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 rufied con-
fused under the pressure of difficulty. or the
stimulus of danger.
He was daring without rashness, and deliber.
ate without hesitation. He never led his men
into needless danger but never shrank from any
risk when necessary, and had the eye of an eagle,
in discernment of the crisis, when risk was re-
quired AS a leader he commanded the unques-
tioning, unshrinking confidence OF his followers,
and his presence the field was an inspiration.
The skill to handle bodies OF men combined
with the magnetism that controls the wills of fir
dividuas, two of the most essential requisites for
the command of the volunteer troops of which
American armies comprised"
Soon after the close of the Black Hawk war,
a regiment of dragons was formed ard added to
the regular service. Henry Dodge of Iowa
made the colonel of the organization. Mr..
Davis was 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 was,
When Mr.. Davis was brought face to face with
the burning question of lS32-32. 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
hostities his own words best set forth his posi-
ton: Then much as valued my commission
much as desired TO remain in the army and dis
approving as much as | did the remedy resorted
to. that commission would have been torn TO tat.
ters before it would have been used in civil war
with the state of South Carolina
Colonel Dodge. with a select company Of his
dragons, was sent in 1884 to Fort Gibson on the
borders Of Arkansas and the Indian Territory
near Red river. Lieutenant Davis accompanvin,
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-
sissippi to that reservation and it here that
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 n
year and a half at Fort Gibson he rendered nj.
resignation on June 90 1885. and severed his CON.
nection with the army. whose service he had COR
tainly loved. He had manifested decided capaci,v
for successful military command and his talent
for MANAGEMENT and for ready decision In emer
gencies had been clearly developed. His habits
mad been temperate and self-restrained with =
tendency to books and the scholarly life
Then followed new life for short tme-in