The Real Jefferson Davis by Landon Knight

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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