Confederate President Davis

Buena Vista and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Jan 8, 2007 Mary Trotter Kion

During the Mexican War, Jefferson Davis becomes known as The Hero of Buena Vista. The American Civil War begins and he is made President of the Confederacy.

Military Life Once Again

Jefferson Davis, while serving in the Mexican War, became a colonel of Mississippi volunteers and served under his former father-in-law, now General Taylor. At the Battle of Buena Vista, Davis and his regiment probably saved the American army from defeat with Davis' "inspired V-formation" against an overwhelming Mexican force, led by Mexican leader Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

Davis was, however, severely wounded and returned home on crutches in 1847. His homecoming was that of a hero, as he was by now widely known as "the hero of Buena Vista." It also convinced him that he was a military genius. His second military career had now ended and he once again entered the political life.

Back to Washington

In 1847 Mississippi sent Jefferson Davis to the United States Senate. His ability as a speaker soon made him a Democratic leader, championing the South and slavery.

In 1851 he resigned to run for governor of Mississippi. He was defeated; but he re-entered public life when Franklin Pierce became president in 1853. Davis became secretary of war, serving until the end of Pierce's term in 1857.

Mississippi again sent him to the Senate. By this time the tension between the North and the South over slavery was at fever heat. Davis took an unyielding attitude in favor of slavery. In 1860 he helped nominate a proslavery Democrat, John C. Breckinridge, to run against both Abraham Lincoln, the Republican nominee, and Stephen A. Douglas, the northern Democratic nominee. This party split caused Lincoln to be elected.

President of the Confederacy

On Jan. 21, 1861, Davis made an impassioned speech to the Senate, then he resigned. When the Southern states formed the Confederacy he hoped to be named commander of the Confederate forces. Instead, he was named president. He was inaugurated on Feb. 18, 1861.

Previous: Jefferson Davis and Slavery: The Southern Gentleman Planter.

Recommended Reading:

Battle of Bloody Marsh

America's Westward Expansion: Lewis, Clark, and Pike.

Indians and the Gold Rush: Forts Kearny and Leavenworth.

Sources:

Collier's Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Crowell-Collier Educational Corporation, 1968.

Comptons, The Complete Reference Collection. CD Rom, 1997, The Learning Company, Inc.

The copyright of the article Confederate President Davis in American History is owned by Mary Trotter Kion. Permission to republish Confederate President Davis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Comments

Jan 13, 2007 7:26 PM

Pink :

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I'd sure like to see some discussion and some articles on the controversy regarding the teaching of history in America's high schools.
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Jan 13, 2007 8:24 PM

Mary Trotter Kion :

Pink,
Yes, that would be interesting. I've sent you an e-mail suggesting that you write on this aspect of history as a guest writer on my American History topic.
Mary

Jan 20, 2007 12:26 PM

Mary Trotter Kion :

This could be a very interesting subject. Let me know what you find.
Thanks, Mary

Jan 22, 2007 1:59 PM

Brian Tubbs :

By the way, Mary, I'm glad you're tackling Jefferson Davis. He's an important figure in history.

Interesting that he was picked as the CSA president because he was considered a moderate (i.e, reluctant) secessionist. And, yet, he would by war's end, be a very bitter secessionist - determined to keep the war going at all costs.

I think if Davis would've taken the lead in surrendering (as Generals Lee and Johnson did), his reputation would be quite different today.

4 Comments