Life span: 03/02/1828 to 11/20/1879TabsLife SummaryFull name: Jefferson Columbus DavisPlace of Birth: Clark County, INBurial Place: Indianapolis, INBirth Date Certainty: ExactDeath Date Certainty: ExactGender: MaleRace: WhiteSectional choice: NorthOrigins: Free StateNo. of Spouses: 1Family: William Davis (father), Mary Drummond (mother), Mariette Woodson Athon (wife)Occupation: MilitaryMilitary: US military (Pre-Civil War)Union ArmyUS military (Post-Civil War) Note Cards Jefferson Columbus Davis (American National Biography) ScholarshipPromoted to brigadier general in December 1861, [Jefferson C. Davis] commanded a division at the battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas (6-7 Mar. 1862) where he played a key role in securing the Union victory by his promptness and the skill with which he deployed his troops. What seemed to be a bright military future suddenly and permanently became clouded, however, by the most dramatic episode of Davis's career. Assigned, following further service as a division commander in Mississippi in the late spring of 1862, to the command of Major General William Nelson (1824-1862) in Louisville, Kentucky, he was so deeply offended by what he deemed to be an insulting reprimand from Nelson that on the morning of 29 September 1862, accompanied by Governor [Oliver P.] Morton, he went to Nelson's headquarters at the Galt House hotel. Finding Nelson in the lobby, he demanded "satisfaction" for the insult, and when Nelson responded by calling him an "insolent puppy," he threw a wadded-up calling card into Nelson's face. In turn Nelson, who weighed three hundred pounds, slapped Davis in the face and then went upstairs. While he was doing so, Davis procured a revolver and followed him. Hearing Davis, Nelson turned around and started toward him. "Not another step!" cried Davis, who then shot Nelson in the chest, mortally wounding him. Although placed under arrest, Davis was never court-martialed, perhaps because Nelson had forgiven him before dying, and thanks to Morton's political influence he soon received command of a division in the Army of the Cumberland. Nevertheless, his personal reputation was irreparably damaged.Albert Castel, "Davis, Jefferson Columbus," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/05/05-00179.html. Events Date span begin Life span End Event 12/19/1861 12/19/1861 In central Missouri, Union forces capture hundreds of newly recruited Missouri State Guardsmen 03/06/1862 03/08/1862 In northwest Arkansas, Union forces win a fierce three-day battle at Pea Ridge, around Elkhorn Tavern 09/18/1863 09/20/1863 In Georgia, advancing Union forces suffer a very heavy defeat near Chickamauga Creek 06/27/1864 06/27/1864 In Georgia, Sherman's direct assault on Confederate positions on Kennesaw Mountain fails with heavy losses 08/31/1864 09/01/1864 Union forces break the last Confederate efforts to defend Atlanta at the Battle of Jonesborough Major TopicsFort SumterMexican WarSherman's March Documents Images Jefferson Columbus Davis Jefferson Columbus Davis, detail Bibliography
Jefferson Columbus Davis (American National Biography) ScholarshipPromoted to brigadier general in December 1861, [Jefferson C. Davis] commanded a division at the battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas (6-7 Mar. 1862) where he played a key role in securing the Union victory by his promptness and the skill with which he deployed his troops. What seemed to be a bright military future suddenly and permanently became clouded, however, by the most dramatic episode of Davis's career. Assigned, following further service as a division commander in Mississippi in the late spring of 1862, to the command of Major General William Nelson (1824-1862) in Louisville, Kentucky, he was so deeply offended by what he deemed to be an insulting reprimand from Nelson that on the morning of 29 September 1862, accompanied by Governor [Oliver P.] Morton, he went to Nelson's headquarters at the Galt House hotel. Finding Nelson in the lobby, he demanded "satisfaction" for the insult, and when Nelson responded by calling him an "insolent puppy," he threw a wadded-up calling card into Nelson's face. In turn Nelson, who weighed three hundred pounds, slapped Davis in the face and then went upstairs. While he was doing so, Davis procured a revolver and followed him. Hearing Davis, Nelson turned around and started toward him. "Not another step!" cried Davis, who then shot Nelson in the chest, mortally wounding him. Although placed under arrest, Davis was never court-martialed, perhaps because Nelson had forgiven him before dying, and thanks to Morton's political influence he soon received command of a division in the Army of the Cumberland. Nevertheless, his personal reputation was irreparably damaged.Albert Castel, "Davis, Jefferson Columbus," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/05/05-00179.html.