Jefferson Davis

 

Today is Jefferson Davis birthday.

Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton

Old times there are not forgotten 

Jefferson Finis Davis was President of the Confederate States of America.  Born on June 3rd, 1808  in Kentucky, he was a graduate of West Point (23rd in his class of 33) and enjoyed a successful life until the War of Northern Aggression in 1860.

President Davis was arrested and imprisoned for two years under harsh conditions, which took a toll on his general health.  In particular, he was prone to respiratory illnesses.

I think it's worth noting that President Davis wanted peace between the North and South.  He assembled a peace commission and sent the men to Washington, where President Lincoln flatly refused to see or speak to any of them.

Jefferson Davis passed away at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 6, 1889 at age 81.  

I've seen the home which is in the Garden District of New Orleans.  Unlike most mansions in that area, Davis's home had low ceilings of about modern height.  Although the home isn't open for tours, the grounds surrounding the home are opulent and obscure much of his home from view.