[Gutenberg 43979] • The Real Jefferson Davis

For four years Jefferson Davis was the central and most conspicuous figure in the greatest revolution of history. Prior to that time no statesman of his day left a deeper or more permanent impress upon legislation. His achievements alone as Secretary of War entitle him to rank as a benefactor of his country. But notwithstanding all of this he is less understood than any other man in history. This fact induced me a year ago to compile a series of magazine articles which had the single purpose in view of painting the real Jefferson Davis as he was. Of course, the task was a difficult one under any circumstances, and almost an impossible one in the restricted scope of six papers, as it appeared in The Pilgrim. However, the public according to these papers an interest far beyond my expectation, I have decided to revise and publish them in book form.

This work does not attempt an exhaustive treatment of the subject but, as the author has tried faithfully and without prejudice or predilection to paint the soldier, the statesman, the private citizen as he was, he trusts that this little volume may not be unacceptable to those who love the truth for its own sake.

L. K. Akron, Ohio, Aug. 16, 1904.

CONTENTS

Birth and Education

Service in the Army

His Life at Briarfield

First Appearance in Politics

Enters Mexican War

The Hero of Buena Vista

Enters the Senate

Becomes Secretary of War

He Re-enters the Senate

Still Hoped to Save the Union

President of the Confederacy

His First Inaugural

Delays and Blunders

The Bombardment of Sumter

Conditions in the South

The First Battle

A Lost Opportunity

The Quarrel with Johnston

The Battle of Shiloh

The Seven Days of Battle

Butler’s Infamous Order 28

Mental Imperfections

Blunders of the Western Army

Davis and Gettysburg

The Chief of a Heroic People

Sherman and Johnston

Mr. Davis’ Humanity

General Lee’s Surrender

The Capture of Davis

A Nation’s Shame

Efforts to Execute Mr. Davis

Indictment of Mr. Davis

Why Davis Was Not Tried for Treason

Freedom—Reverses—Beauvoir

Death of Mr. Davis

ILLUSTRATIONS

Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis’ Birthplace, at Fairview, Ky.

Where Jefferson Davis Boarded While in Lexington

Transylvania College at Lexington

Jefferson Davis at Thirty-five

Briarfield, Jefferson Davis’ Home

The Room in the Briars in Which Jefferson Davis Was Married

General Taylor and Colonel Davis at Monterey

The Charge of Colonel Davis’ Regiment at Buena Vista

Jefferson Davis as United States Senator in 1847

Jefferson Davis as Secretary of War

The Capitol at Richmond

Interior of Fort Sumter after the Surrender

Henry Clay Addressing the Senate on the Missouri Compromise

Edward Ruffin

Robert Toombs

General Joseph E. Johnston

Generals Lee, Jackson and Johnston

C. G. Memminger

The Site of the Prison Camp on the James River Below Richmond

On the Field of Cold Harbor Today

The Battle of the Crater

Mr. and Mrs. Davis in 1863

The Davis Children in 1863

The Famous Libby Prison as It Appeared at the Close of the War

The Surrender of Lee

Richmond as Gen. Weitzel Entered It

The Davis Mansion

The Davis Monument at Richmond