Jefferson Finis Davis
(1808-1889)
President of Confederate States of America
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.
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.
