Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1913-05-09

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in New Orleans, on the Alabama for Brazos st.
lago near Port Isabel in southeastern Texas. He
and his troops reached there Aug q and were
encamped for some weeks of hard drill such as
only West Pointer knows how to give but when
at last they joined General Taylor they were pro
nounced the best trained and most orderly volun-
teer troops in the army. 1t a remarkable
organization Colonel Davis made a reputa-
ton which transcribed that of any other officer
except General Taylor himself OF him the Mis-
sssppians at the front said IF the time of our
regiment expires and our colonel even then
thinks we could be useful, there is not In
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-
qured for him in the army generally is incred-
ibe."
On Feb 1928, 1S47, Santa Ana approached the
American position-a high plateau eight miles
south of Saltillo His army of 10000 men attack
ed General Tayor's left. This Colonel Da-
Wis celebrated stand which was reported all over
the country. 1t had saved the day for General
Taylor
The battle of Buena Vista virtually closed the
war so far as the field of General Taylor's opera.
tions concerned.
A few weeks after his return from Mexico, Col
onel Davis appointed by the governor of Mis-
vacated by the death of of the state senators.
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 At this
time he was in excellent physical health, intel
lectuay in his prime and morally there was
rarely to be found more commanding character
in the country.
In March 1857, Mr.. Davis re-entered the senate.
This was during the administration of Mr.. Blu.
chanan-durng part of the time Mr. Davis was
seriously ill., and at the close of the session. 1858,
he made 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 the hastings; indeed. there were
occasions when he arose to the majestic. and
caused the minds Of his hearers to revert to SINH
lar appeals of Renzi and Demosthenes. In the
memorable debates in the senate-1S591S61-he
bore a conspicuous and commanding part. His
speeches of this period exhibit anxious promo
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 sleepless night, due to the pressing re-
sponsbility of his course. well to Illness
Nevertheless he appeared in his accustomed place
The floor halls and galleries were thronged with
earnest spectators as they had been only on
great occasions when the voices OF Webster and
Clay had resounded Amid profound silence Mr.
Davis arose to bid his adeu-the whole world
knew that 1t was 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 unac-
customed to the moisture of emotion 1t was not
difficult for that generation to understand the
principles which actuated him.
The convention of Mississippi after ordaining
the withdrawal of the state from the Union, had
adopted an ordinance providing for the levy of a
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 hither-
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" It lasted four years and little over
marked throughout by sangunary conflicts with
heroic exploits both sides all of which have
been duly chronicled in proper place When Mr.
Jefferson Davis after 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 was 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 cheftain. Four years later |
by request of the people Of Richmond Va, and |
OF the South generally, his remains we're removed |
to Hollywood cemetery and given final sepulture |
In Richmond the people collected from all parts |
of the country and listened to fond eulogies OF |
men who had known him best A fitting statue |
was erected to his memory representing him In |
the full vigor OF mature manhood, a cavslrv |
commander