Jefferson C . Davis Jefferson Columbus Davis ( March 2 , 1828 – November 30 , 1879 ) was an officer in the United States Army who served in the Mexican - American War , the Civil War , and the Modoc War . He was the first commander of the Department of Alaska , from 1868 to 1870 . Although successful in a number of Civil War battles , he is best remembered for two attributes : the similarity of his name to that of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his murder of a superior officer during an argument in the Civil War . Early life . Davis was born near present - day Memphis , Indiana . He joined the 3rd Indiana Volunteers in June 1846 and served as an enlisted volunteer during the Mexican - American War , rising to the rank of sergeant . Upon completion of his volunteer service in June 1848 , he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 1st Artillery Regiment . He was promoted to first lieutenant in February 1852 . Civil War . At the start of the American Civil War , Davis was serving in the Fort Sumter garrison when it was bombarded by Confederate forces in April 1861 . The following month he was promoted to captain , and in August Davis became colonel of the 22nd Indiana Infantry , which he led in the Battle of Wilson ' s Creek . In December 1861 , he became brigadier general of volunteers , commanding the 3rd Division , Army of the Southwest , at the Battle of Pea Ridge . He commanded the 4th Division , Army of the Mississippi , at Corinth . He went on sick leave , but left his hospital bed to serve in the defenses of Cincinnati , Ohio . During this time of convalescence , on September 29 , 1862 , Davis got into an argument with his superior officer , Maj . Gen . William " Bull " Nelson , in the Galt House in Louisville , Kentucky . Davis had been offended by insults on prior occasions and when his face was slapped by Nelson , Davis shot and killed him . He was arrested and imprisoned , but Maj . Gen . Horatio G . Wright came to his aid and was able to get him released from prison . He avoided conviction for the murder because there was a need for experienced field commanders in the Union Army . Davis was a capable commander , but because of the murder of General Nelson , he never received a full promotion higher than brigadier general of volunteers . He did however receive a brevet promotion to major general of volunteers on August 8 , 1864 ( for his service at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain ) , and was appointed commanding officer of the XIV Corps during the Atlanta Campaign , a post he retained until the end of the war . He received a brevet promotion to brigadier general in the regular army on March 20 , 1865 . However , it was his actions during the Ebenezer Creek passing and his racist attitude towards freed slaves , that causes his legacy to be clouded in continued controversy . As Sherman ' s army proceeded on the March to the Sea toward Savannah , Georgia , on December 9 , 1864 , Davis ordered a pontoon bridge removed before the African - American refugees following his corps could cross the creek . Several hundred were captured by the Confederate cavalry or drowned in the creek , attempting to escape . Postbellum career . After the Civil War , Davis continued service with the army , being appointed colonel of the 23rd Infantry Regiment in July 1866 . He was the first commander of the Department of Alaska , from March 18 , 1868 , to June 1 , 1870 . During this time , he ordered Russian residents of Sitka , Alaska to leave their homes , as he maintained that they were needed for Americans . He gained fame when he assumed field command of the U . S . forces during the Modoc War , after General Edward Canby and Rev . Eleazer Thomas had been assassinated during peace talks . His presence in the field restored the confidence of the soldiers after their recent setbacks against the Modoc . Davis ' campaign resulted in the Battle of Dry Lake and the eventual surrender of notable leaders such as Hooker Jim and Captain Jack . During the 1877 St . Louis general strike , Davis arrived in St . Louis commanding 300 men and two Gatling guns to crush the strike which ran the city for several days . ( P . Foner , p . 170 ) Davis died in Chicago , Illinois . He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery , Indianapolis , Indiana .