Jefferson Davis

Introduction
  - Jefferson Finis Davis, the first and only President of the Confederate States of America.
  - Born on June 3, 1808, in Kentucky; raised in Mississippi.
  - Davis was the youngest of ten children of Revolutionary War soldier Samuel Davis and Jane Cook Davis.
  - The name "Finis" means "final" in Latin, indicating no further children were desired after Jefferson.

Education and Military Career
  - Influenced heavily by his oldest brother, Joseph, who ensured his education.
  - Attended college at Transylvania in Kentucky.
  - Entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1824.
  - Graduated in 1828, ranking twenty-third out of thirty-four cadets.
  - Served briefly in the Black Hawk War in 1832.
Personal Life
  - Married Sarah Knox Taylor, daughter of Colonel Zachary Taylor, in 1835 against her father's wishes.
  - Both contracted malaria shortly after the wedding, leading to Sarah's death.
  - Lived a secluded life for eight years on his cotton plantation, Davis Bend, Mississippi.
  - A staunch supporter of slavery as a vital institution for the Southern way of life.
Second Marriage and Political Career
- In 1845, married Varina Howell, who was eighteen years old at the time.
- The couple had six children (two girls, four boys) but both daughters survived into adulthood.

Congressional Career
  - Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi in 1845.
  - Resigned in June 1846 to participate in the Mexican War, where he showcased leadership at the battles of Monterrey and Buena Vista.
  - Declined a promotion to brigadier general in 1847 after being elected to the U.S. Senate.
Secretary of War
- Appointed U.S. Secretary of War by President Franklin Pierce in 1853.
- Served with distinction, recognized as a capable administrator.
Return to the Senate
- Returned as a U.S. Senator in 1857, advocating strongly for states' rights.
- Withdrew from the Senate on January 21, 1861, after Mississippi seceded from the Union.

Election and Inauguration
  - Selected by the Confederate Congress on February 9, 1861, to be provisional President.
  - Inaugurated on February 22, 1862, for a six-year term.
  - Chosen as a compromise candidate amid division in the Congress; did not pursue the presidency willingly, aspiring instead for military command.
Initial Popularity and Challenges
- Enjoyed early support due to war fervor, military record, and political experience; however, his ability to maintain popularity waned.
- Exhibited impatience with dissenters and often appointed unsuccessful leaders to key positions, leading to internal conflict and administration issues.
Health Issues
- Suffered from chronic illness which affected his presidency’s effectiveness and public perception.
- As Confederate defeats increased, his reputation and support diminished significantly.
Downfall
  - On April 2, 1865, he and the Confederate government fled Richmond due to Union advances.
  - Captured by Union forces near Irwinville, Georgia, on May 10, 1865.
  - Imprisoned at Fort Monroe, Virginia, for two years without trial for treason; released on bond in May 1867.

Life After Imprisonment
  - Traveled in Europe before settling in Tennessee and then to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
  - Resided at Beauvoir, an estate near Biloxi during retirement.
  - Attempted to return to the U.S. Senate, but ineligible as he refused to seek a pardon for his actions during the Civil War.
Literary Contributions and Legacy
  - Authored "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government" (Volume 1 and Volume 2), published in 1881, detailing his wartime experiences.
  - Died on December 6, 1889, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  - Before his death, advocated for reconciliation among young men in Mississippi, urging them to work towards national unity, stating his wish for a "reunited country."