Secretary of War and Senator

(1853-61)

Brackets indicate dates and entries that follow logically from information in primary sources but are not explicitly stated.

1853

March 5

Arrives in Washington; meets with Franklin Pierce

March 7

Takes oath of office as secretary of war

June 1-15

Serves as acting secretary of the navy

July-September

Travels extensively in Northeast

1854

January-May

Leads administration efforts in support of the Kansas-Nebraska Act

June 13, 15

Son Samuel Emory Davis dies; funeral at home

August 28-September 4/5

Travels with president; speaks in Virginia

October 31

Visits United States Military Academy

1855

February 25

Daughter Margaret Howell Davis born

June

Visits Mississippi

1856

January 6

Varina Davis confirmed at the Church of the Epiphany, Washington D.C.

January 16

Elected senator by Mississippi legislature

October [16-19]

Visits West Point

1857

January 16

Son Jefferson Davis, Jr., born

March 4

Resigns as secretary of war; takes oath as senator

May-November

Visits Mississippi between sessions; speaks extensively

December 7

Congress convenes

1858

February 11-May 9

Ill, at home

July-October

With family, spends summer in and around Portland, Maine

October 11

Speaks at Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts

November

Visits Mississippi

December 6

Congress convenes

1859

April 18

Son Joseph Evan Davis born in Washington while Davis is in Mississippi

May 7

Arrives in Washington

[late May-early June]

Undergoes eye surgery

[June-September]

Family vacations at Oakland, Maryland

October-November

Visits Mississippi

December 5

Arrives in Washington; Congress convenes

1860

February 2

Introduces resolutions on the relations of the states

February 29

Speaks in Senate on slavery and secession

March 31

Undergoes eye surgery

April 10

Returns to Senate

May 7

Address to the National Democracy in light of the southern walk-out at the Democratic Convention

July 17-September 5

Chairs United States Military Academy commission meetings at West Point

September-November

Speaks throughout Mississippi

November 6

Abraham Lincoln elected

November 10

Upon learning of Lincoln's election, writes candid letter to Robert Barnwell Rhett, Jr., concerning secession

November 27

Arrives in Washington

December 3

Congress convenes

December 20

South Carolina secedes

1861

January 5

Meets with southern senators

January 6

[Attends caucus of Mississippi delegation at Willard Hotel, Washington D.C.]

January 9

Calls on President James Buchanan; speaks in Senate

January 10

Delivers major speech in Senate

January 18

Returns to Senate after illness

January 20

Writes Franklin Pierce about impending resignation

January 21

Delivers farewell address in Senate

January 22

Leaves Washington