The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-05-02

sDf their display. These were not shown by mere
Ders0nal her0ism, though his, as We have already
said, was Of the highest order, but In thorough
equipment with all the OF military skill
and science, tn the quick perception Of the adap-
tatiOn OF means to ends. and in the cool discrim.
nation OF a judgment which became both prompt
er and steadier instead of being ruf1ed or con-
SRsed und9r the pressure Of difficulty or the
stimulus eA danger.
lie was daring without rashness ard 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 dlscernment of the crisis when risk was re-
VuEred As leader he commanded the unques-
tiDning unshrinking confidence of his followers,
and his presence on the field was an inspiration
The skill to handle bodies of men was combined
with the magnetism that controls the wills of III
Aividuals 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,
regiment OF dragons was formed and added to
the regular service Henry Dodge of Iowa was
made the colonel of the new organization. Mr.
Davis vas promoted to the position of first lieu
tenant of one of the companies and still further
hOAored by being appointed Immediately there
after adidtant 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
tAe burning question Of 1929 the problem Of
STAKE 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
hOsfIlaties his own words best set forth his posi-
tiOn: Then. much as valued my commission
much aS desired to remain in the army and dis
APPROVING as much as did the remedy resorted
20. that commission would have been torn to tat.
tees before II would have been used in civil war
with the state of South Carolina"
Colonel Dodge, with select company OF his
dragons, was sent in 1884 to Fort Gibson, on the
bosaeEs OF Arkansas and the Indian Territory
near Red river. Lieutenant Davis accompanying
the detachment. The policy of the government
% collect the remnants of the many tribes OF
nalahs. both southern and northern, In this far
"a portiOn of the country. had been developing
since the transfer OF the Cherokees and Creeks
Aspm western Georgia upper Alabama and Mis-
Rgsappl to that reservation, and 1t was here that
tie young lieutenant passed his last years In the
Unleed States army There was no longer need
% mis- being In service. he having served more
sac the term Of years required to repay the gov
esamsat for his training at West Point. After 3
gear and Q half at Fort Gibson, he rendered his
resignation on June So 1885, and severed his con
section with the army, whose service he had Ger
balsly loved He had manifested decided capacity
asF successful military command, and his talent
Cor management and for ready decision in emer
ksnriss had beer clearly developed His habit,
Mad beeD temperate and self.restrained, with
ysadeney TO hooks and the scholarly life.
Thsn SLOWED new life for short time