OBITUARY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7418, 9 December 1889, Page 5

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

I PER }?RES9 ASSOCIATION.] fceoeived December 7th, M.15 &.m* , Nm York, Deceniber 6. The death is announced of Jefferson Davis, at Beauvoir, Mississippi. Jefferson Davis was born in Kentucky June 3rd,1808. During his childhood his father removed into the State of Mississippi, la 1824 he entered the United States Military Academy ac West Point, •where he graduated four years afteiv wards. . The first part of his military career lasted seven years, during which period he served with distinction against several hostile Indian tribes, designing his commission in 1835, he returned to Mississippi, married the daughter of General Taylor, afterwards President of the United States, and "became a cotton planter, until 1843, when he interested himself in politics as a Democrat, and took a prominent part in the election of Mr Polk. He was returned to Congress in 1545, and took part in the debates on the " tarlft,* , the " Oregon question," "military affairs," and upon the "preparations for the Mexican war." Upon the breaking out of this contest, he was elected colonel of the Mississippi regiment of Volunteers, -when he resigned his seat in Congress, and joined tne army of General Tajlor on the Rio Grande. He was engaged at the storming of Monterey, and in the battle of Bueno Vista. At the close of the war he was offered by Presideut Pol 'c the rank of Brigadier-General of Voim.teers, but declined it on the ground that the appointment to such offices belonged to individual states only, and not to the Federal executive. In 1847 lie was elected Senator for Mississippi; in 1850 he became Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, and was distinguished by the energy with which he defended slavery, and by his zealous advocacy of State rights. In 1851 he resigned his seat in the Senate to enter upon a canvass for Mr Franklin Pierce, who, on being elected President, nominated Mr Davis as Secretary at War. He introduced important reforms into this department, and the military service generally. He was again elected as Senator in 1858; but the election of IMr Lincoln in 1860, and the consequent secession movement, caused him to withdraw. When the movement received shape'and form, he was chosen Provisional President of the Confederate States, February 4th, 1861, inaugurated February £2nd, and elected as President for six year* in 1863. After the fall of Richmond, President Davis, while endeavoring; to make his escape, was captured at Irwinsvilie, Georgia, May 10th, 1565; and remained a prisoner for two years in Fortress Monroe, awaiting a trial. He was released on ball rathe cummer of 1867, and was included in the general amnesty of December 25th, 1868. After his rr'ease he visited E jrope, and on his return took up bis residence ,at Memphis, Tennessee, where he became president of a Life Insurance Company. In 1881 he published "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," in two vols. Of late years he has lived quietly at Beauvoir, Mississippi, wheie he died.