Jefferson Davis is notified by telegraph that he has been chosen as provisional President of the Confederate States of America.

Jefferson Finis Davis: President of the Confederate States and Key Figure of the American Civil War

Jefferson Finis Davis (June 3, 1808 – December 6, 1889) was a prominent American politician and military officer who became the sole President of the Confederate States of America, serving throughout the entirety of the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. His career before the conflict was marked by significant federal service, first as a respected member of the Democratic Party representing Mississippi in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. His experience extended to the executive branch, where he served with distinction as the United States Secretary of War from 1853 to 1857 under President Franklin Pierce, gaining valuable insight into military affairs and national administration.

Early Life, Education, and Military Service

Born in Fairview, Kentucky, Jefferson Davis was the youngest of ten children to a moderately prosperous farmer. His early life was characterized by mobility, as he grew up primarily in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, and also spent time living in Louisiana. A pivotal moment in his youth was his appointment to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point, secured by his elder brother, Joseph Emory Davis. This foundational military education shaped his early career. Upon graduating, Davis embarked on a six-year tenure as a lieutenant in the United States Army, serving on the frontier. His military prowess was further demonstrated during the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), where he distinguished himself as the colonel of a volunteer regiment, earning a reputation for bravery and leadership, particularly at the Battle of Buena Vista.

Planter, Statesman, and the Path to Secession

Before the tumultuous onset of the American Civil War, Jefferson Davis transitioned into life as a prominent Mississippi planter. He managed a large cotton plantation, known as Brierfield, which his brother Joseph had gifted him. This enterprise was deeply integrated into the South's slave-based economy; at its peak, Davis personally owned as many as 113 enslaved individuals, making him a significant slaveholder of his time. Politically, Davis held complex views on the escalating sectional crisis. While he publicly argued against secession in 1858, likely hoping for a political compromise that would preserve the Union while protecting Southern interests, he simultaneously maintained a staunch belief in states' rights—the deeply held conviction that individual states possessed an unquestionable sovereign right to withdraw from the Union if they chose. This philosophical stance would ultimately guide his actions when Mississippi seceded.

Personal Life and Family Tragedies

Davis's personal life was marked by both joy and profound sorrow. In 1835, at the age of 27, he married Sarah Knox Taylor, the daughter of General (and future U.S. President) Zachary Taylor. Their union was tragically short-lived; both were afflicted with malaria shortly after their wedding, and Sarah succumbed to the disease a mere three months into their marriage. Davis recovered slowly, enduring recurring bouts of malaria throughout his life, which often affected his health and temperament. At 36, Davis married again in 1845 to Varina Howell, an 18-year-old native of Natchez, Mississippi. Varina, who had received her education in Philadelphia, brought a unique perspective to their marriage, having some family ties in the North. Together, they had six children, but sorrow struck again as only two of them survived him, and only one lived to marry and have children of her own, a common yet heartbreaking reality of the 19th century.

Confederate Presidency: Leadership Under Scrutiny

As President of the Confederate States, Jefferson Davis faced immense challenges in leading a new nation through a devastating war. Many historians critically attribute some of the Confederacy's fundamental weaknesses and ultimate defeat to aspects of Davis's leadership style. His administration was often characterized by:

These factors, combined with the inherent disadvantages of the Confederate cause such as limited industrial capacity and a smaller population, led historians to generally conclude that Davis was a much less effective wartime leader than President Abraham Lincoln, who demonstrated greater adaptability, political skill, and an ability to unify a divided populace.

Post-War Life, Imprisonment, and Legacy

Following the Confederacy's collapse in 1865, Jefferson Davis was captured near Irwinville, Georgia, in May of that year. Accused of treason for leading the rebellion, he was imprisoned at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, for two years. Notably, Davis was never brought to trial. The U.S. government, after much deliberation, decided against prosecuting him, likely due to concerns that a trial might elevate him to martyrdom, set a problematic legal precedent, or even potentially result in an acquittal if a jury struggled with the legal definition of "treason" for such a widespread rebellion. He was released in 1867, with prominent figures like Horace Greeley contributing to his bail.

While not formally disgraced, Davis found his place in the affections of ex-Confederates largely supplanted by his leading general, Robert E. Lee, who became the revered symbol of the "Lost Cause" due to his perceived honor and military prowess. Davis spent his later years attempting to justify the Confederate cause and his role in it. He completed his extensive memoir, titled "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," in 1881, offering his perspective on the war's origins and conduct. By the late 1880s, his public discourse shifted, and he began to encourage reconciliation between the North and South, urging Southerners to demonstrate loyalty to the reunited Union. Despite earlier criticisms, ex-Confederates eventually came to appreciate his unwavering commitment to the South during the war, increasingly viewing him as a Southern patriot. In the post-Reconstruction South, Jefferson Davis became a central figure and hero of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy narrative, which romanticized the Old South, often downplayed the role of slavery, and portrayed the Confederate struggle as a valiant defense of states' rights and a distinct way of life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jefferson Davis

When and where was Jefferson Davis born?
Jefferson Finis Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Fairview, Christian County, Kentucky.
What was Jefferson Davis's role before becoming Confederate President?
Before leading the Confederacy, Davis served as a U.S. Representative and Senator for Mississippi, and as the U.S. Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce.
Did Jefferson Davis own slaves?
Yes, Jefferson Davis was a prominent cotton planter in Mississippi and owned as many as 113 enslaved individuals at his Brierfield plantation.
Why was Jefferson Davis never tried for treason after the Civil War?
Despite being charged with treason, Jefferson Davis was never tried. This decision was largely political, aimed at avoiding a potentially divisive trial that could turn him into a martyr, create complex legal precedents, or further inflame sectional tensions during the Reconstruction era. He was eventually released on bail.
How did Jefferson Davis's public image evolve after the Civil War?
Immediately after the war, his popularity waned in comparison to figures like Robert E. Lee. However, in the late 1880s and the post-Reconstruction South, he was increasingly seen as a Southern patriot and became a key heroic figure within the "Lost Cause" narrative, symbolizing Southern defiance and the perceived righteousness of the Confederate cause.