University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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JEIZFEIZQSON DZXVIS. LIFE-Urmimonle. ORN in Christian County, Kentucky, June 3, 1808. In childhood removed to Wilkinson County, Mississippi. Was a student of Transylvania College, 1822-23. Appointed to YVest Point by President Monroe, 1824. Graduated from West Point, 1828. Made First Lieutenant and Adjutant of regiment March, 1833. Served with distinction through Black Hawk war, but resigned his commis- sion in army, 1835. Married a daughter of General Zachary Taylor, 1835. Devoted himself to study and planting, 1835-43. Elected to Congress, 1815. Resigned his seat to accept the commission as Colonel of Mississippi Rifles, 1846. Largely instrumental in saving day at Buena Vista, February 23, 1847. Appointed to the National Senate, 1847. Candidate for Governor of Mississippi, but defeated by General Foote, 1851. Secretary of War under President Pierce, 1853-57. Elected to United States Senate, January, 1857. Withdrew from the Senate immediately after the secession of Mississippi, January, 1861 Inaugurated President of Confederate States at Montgomery, Alabama, Feb- ruary 18, 1861. Re-elected President of Confederacy for six years, and inaugurated at Rich- mond, Virginia, February 22, 1862 Appointed General Robert E. Lee Commander-in-chief of the army, March 13, 1862. Taken prisoner, May 10, 1865. , Released from prison, May, 1867. Died in New Orleans, December 6, 1889.

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JEIIIZEIQSON DZXVIS. EFFERSCN DAVIS was a soldier, orator, statesman and stu- dent, a devoted husband and father, and a loyal friend. That he made mistakes all must admit, but that he sinned against his con- science or sacrificed principle to expediency few of his former foes now have the hardihood to claim. His was a strong nature attracting to it kindred metal as a magnet attracts steel. Such men excite enthusiastic love or provoke deep animosity, and during his long and eventful life he made many warm friends, and bitter enemies. His imposing figure, flashing eye and haughty eloquence marked him for command. Among his peers he stood a cavalier sans pezn' et sans 1'c'pr'ocl1c, an epitome of the patrician South, her natural leader in the struggle for constitutional freedom. His education was received at W'est Point, and while there he manifested those studious habits that followed him through life. Immediately after graduation he was assigned to frontier duty, and in the Indian wars manifested soldierly qualities of a high order. In the war with Mexico he commanded The Mississippi Rides, and on the battlefield of Buena Vista his daring bravery gave him a national repu- tation. He was Secretary of War under President Pierce, and in this position added fresh luster to his name. Mr. Davis resigned from the army after several years of frontier service and for a considerable period devoted himself to close study. Emerging from this self-imposed obscurity he entered at once the 5