Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Papers, 1861-1865
81 items

Biographical information:

Best remembered today for his role as the controversial President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis had a lengthy and highly successful military and political career prior to the Civil War. A graduate of West Point, he saw duty in the Black Hawk War and distinguished himself at the battle of Buena Vista in the Mexican War. He sat in Congress as a Democratic representative from Mississippi, 1845-1846, and served in the Senate, 1847-1851, before being brought into the Pierce cabinet as Secretary of War. Davis returned to the Senate in 1857, but resigned with other secessionists in 1861. Following the war, Davis was imprisoned for two years, but although he was indicted for treason, he was never tried and was released to spend his later years in writing apologies for the actions of the Confederacy. He died in New Orleans in 1889.

Scope and Contents:

The Schoff Civil War Collection contains political correspondence of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America.

This is a small but rich collection, consisting primarily of letters to Davis from congressmen, governors, cabinet officers, generals, and local politicians, offering a variety of opinions and advice on the war. There are several letters written by Davis, including three to Robert E. Lee.

Provenance:

Gift of James S. Schoff, 1974-1976

Schoff Civil War Collection

Jefferson Davis Papers

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