Page 196 - 88-BOOK2

Davis’s choice of the Adams revolver for his personal protection while in his tent is telling
of his familiarity with deadly arms. He was
quite aware that the .45 caliber Adams had
far superior stopping power vs. the 36 caliber Colt, and, in close quarters, he could empty the Adams into any assailants in a third of the time it took to empty the Colt, producing the desired effect of personal protection in a very short period of time. Having both guns at his disposal, he obviously preferred the Adams to protect himself and his family.
Davis led quite a life prior to the formation of the Confederacy, much of it serving in many capacities in the United States Government.
He was born in Fairview, Kentucky, grew up on a plantation in Mississippi spending most of
his childhood away at boarding schools and eventually received an appointment to West Point, graduating in 1828. He served briefly in the Black Hawk War in 1832 and while stationed under Colonel Zachary Taylor (future President of the United States) the following year, he met the colonel’s daughter, Sarah. Jefferson Davis married her in 1835. Sadly, the couple both came down with severe cases of malaria only three months after their wedding, and Sarah quickly succumbed to the illness with Davis suffering from effects of the illness for the rest
Original letters retained by the family written and postmarked to include their cancel dated envelopes in 1911-1912 contain inquiries about the “Davis Revolver” and obvious interest to acquire and/or sell it (presumably) to the history museum in Lansing, are also included with the family provenance, attesting to
its care and retention.
U.S. House of Representatives. He resigned in June 1846 to fight in the Mexican War where he led his troop (The Mississippi Rifles) valiantly at the battles of Monterrey and Buena Vista and became a national hero. He was offered
a promotion to brigadier general in 1847 but refused it when appointed by the Governor
of Mississippi to fill a Senate vacancy. In 1853, President Franklin Pierce appointed Davis U.S. Secretary of War, and he served with great distinction and was recognized as one of the most capable administrators to hold the office. During his tenure, Davis enlarged the army, strengthened coastal defenses, and directed numerous surveys for railroads to the Pacific.
194 of his life. In 1845, Mississippi sent Davis to the
Alma Record from June 25th, 1886