The Man Behind the Lost Cause



On this day in eighteen hundred and eight

A man was born who'd become a head of state

Actually, initially - eleven, and then four more

Becoming President, within a land torn by war



Starting out his political life as a Congressman

Jefferson Davis resigned to fight the Mexicans

Then, after being wounded, he'd be a Senator

Representing Mississippi for one term, then later



He was appointed Secretary of War by Pierce

After which - the Senate - for another four years

Until President Lincoln took over the Oval Office

Then - his life would take on a different promise



For, although he was an advocate for state's rights

He was not an abolitionist, and put up a good fight

Influencing Pierce to sign the Kansas-Nebraska Act

Which he saw as the way to lessen friction, but in fact



It only served to heighten it, for Kansans were divided

About their right to keep slaves, and thus to be provided

With the vital instrument of popular sovereignty ...

Antagonized everybody who lived in states free



So that line created multiple calls for secession 

Which Davis opposed, with some discretion ...

But when Mississippi chose to be the first ...

Davis resigned his Senate seat, undeterred



He'd then be elected by Confederate Congress

President of the seceded states - eleven, at best

With seat of power in Montgomery, Alabama ...

Changed to Richmond, after the unfolded drama



At Fort Sumter, on April twelfth of that year ...

When Confederate artillery first got into gear

Stifling attempts at resupplying the base ...

Which caused Lincoln to do an about-face



For, until then, both Presidents desired peace

But that drama caused hostilities to be increased

Unfolding the events over the next years (four)

Which'd come to be known as The Civil War



At the end of which, Davis would be arrested

And imprisoned, charged with treason, attested

To, by his willingness to preside over the states

Which seceded, thus - attempting to create ...



A united body - but alien to the true core ...

Of this new country founded on freedom for ...

All its citizens, regardless of color or creed ...

Which was abhorrent to Davis - another breed



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

4:30pm Thurs. June 3rd, 1999



The Confederate States



Pre-Lincoln Inauguration (March 4th, 1861)



The Lower South



South Carolina

Mississippi (Davis's state)

Florida

Alabama (Montgomery - first Conf. cap.)

Georgia

Louisiana

Texas



Post-Ft. Sumter (April 12th, 1861)



The Upper South



Virginia (Richmond - relocated Conf. cap)

North Carolina

Tennessee

Arkansas