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A Biography of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy in the American Civil War
© Mary M. Alward
Mar 6, 2005
During the Civil War, America had two presidents: the president of the Union, Abraham Lincoln, and the president of the confederacy, Jefferson Davis.
Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian County (now known as Todd County), Kentucky. His family tree sported a long list of soldiers, several of whom fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
Davis' Military and Political Career
Davis went to military school and, after graduating, married Sallie Taylor in 1835. Tragically, she died three months later. Davis then bought a cotton plantation where slaves worked the fields. In 1845, he married Varina Howell and in December of that year, Davis took his seat in Congress. Though always active in his political career, he was devoted to his wife and children.
When the south seceded from the Union, they made Davis their leader. He held the title of President of the Confederacy until General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Virginia, on April 9, 1865. When Davis heard the news of Lee’s surrender, he and his cabinet fled south to avoid capture. Though Lee had admitted defeat, Davis did not as he wanted the north to agree to fairer terms than they’d offered Lee.
Jefferson Davis' Capture and Death
On May 10, 1865, Davis was captured in Irwinville, Georgia by Union soldiers who charged him with treason and plotting to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. He was treated badly during the two years he spent in prison and was never given a trial, but eventually he was released.
Davis spent the remainder of his life at his home in Bilouxi, Mississippi and never applied for a pardon. Until his death in New Orleans on December 5, 1889, he believed that the southern states should have been allowed to secede. Davis was originally buried in New Orleans., but his body was later transferred by funeral car to Richmond, Virginia, the former capital of the Confederacy.
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In response to Very interesting posted by Tina_Coruth:
Tina, Off topic or not, it is always interesting to think abou
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Hi Mary,This is a very interesting history of Jefferson Davis. To this day there are debates as to whether or not the South had a right to secede from the Union. I think President Lincoln gave a w
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