Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/664

624 into industrial channels as superintendent of the Briarfield iron works. Soon afterward he was appointed head master and later vice-chancellor of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. In 1877 he became president of the University of Alabama, but after a brief tenure was compelled by failing health to resign. The trustees desiring his continued presence, he accepted the office of librarian, and was thus connected with the university until his death, May 15, 1883.

Joseph R. Davis, of Mississippi, became lieutenant-colonel Tenth Mississippi infantry April 12, 1861; aide-de-camp to the President, August 31, 1861; brigadier-general September 15, 1862; brigade composed of the Second, Eleventh, Twenty-sixth, Forty-second Mississippi regiments of infantry, First Confederate battalion, and Madison Light Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia. He was the son of Isaac Davis, elder brother of Jefferson Davis, a soldier of the war of 1812; grandson of Samuel Emory Davis, the revolutionary soldier; and great grandson of Evan Davis, who was prominent in colonial public affairs. General Davis was born in Wilkinson county, Miss., at Woodside, January 12, 1825, and was educated at Nashville, and at Miami university, Ohio, also being graduated from the law school of that State. He began the practice of law in 1851 and at the same time engaged extensively in farming. In 1860 he was elected to the legislature, but notwithstanding this civil position he entered at once into the military service of the Confederate States, as captain of a company from Madison county, soon being promoted lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Mississippi infantry. While in this position he was requested by President Davis, his uncle, to whom he was greatly attached, to serve on his personal staff with the rank of colonel. After a year of valuable service in this capacity he was commissioned brigadier-general. His command was engaged in the battles of Vir-