Brig. Gen. Joseph R. Davis

[jkBluesman]

Brig. Gen. Joseph Robert Davis (b. 1825, d. 1896). The nephew of Pres. Jefferson Davis suffered from this relation as well as he gained from it. Born in Madison County, Mississippi, he studied the law and started a political career after he was admitted to the bar. He served as state senator and as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1860. His only military experience prior to the war was from leading a militia company. In spring of 1861 he volunteered his service to the Confederacy and was commissioned captain and soon lieutenant colonel of the 10th Mississippi infantry which was sent to Pensacola, Florida. Davis was in command at Fort McRee until May 20 when his uncle summand him to Montgomery, Alabama. After serving one year on Jefferson Davis’ staff as aide-de-camp he was rewarded with the nomination to brigadier general. However his nomination was received with much criticism in the Confederate Congress. The president was accused of nepotism and thus Joseph Davis finally received his rank on September 15, 1862. He served in the southeast of Virginia and North Carolina until his brigade was incorporated into the III corps of the Army of Northern Virginia after the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. During the Pennsylvania Campaign Davis and his men belonged to the first units engaged at Gettysburg on July 1. They started their first fight with a successful attack but the inexperienced Davis could not prevent the disorder in his unit’s ranks. Two of his regiments advanced to far and became trapped in a railroad cut where they suffered high casualties. Great parts surrendered to the Federals. The remaining brigade got some rest the next day but went forward in the Confederate centre during Pickett’s Charge on July 3 where the brigade suffered even more casualties during the final chapter of the Southern defeat. Gen. Robert E. Lee thought of breaking up the unit when he reorganized the army in winter of 1863. But he decided against it and kept Davis to not strain the relationship with his uncle. However, during the first major battle of 1864 in the Wilderness May 5-6, Davis was absent due to sickness. He returned soon after and fought through the remaining battles of the Overland Campaign as well as through the siege of Petersburg. Thus he served until the end with the Army of Northern Virginia surrendering at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. After the war Davis resumed his law practice in Mississippi. He spent most of his remaining life in Biloxi, where he died on September 15, 1896, 34 years after being promoted to brigadier general. He was buried in Biloxi Cemetery.

Ldr: 1
Tact: 2
Init: 2
Cmd: 1
Cav: 0

Teaches: nothing

[Gil R.]

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