Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Clark County, Indiana, he was still in school at age 18, whne he enlisted in the 3rd Indiana Infantry Regiment. He served in the War with Mexico and for gallant conduct at Buena Vista, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st US Artillery. In February 1852, he was promoted 1st Lieutenant and in August 1858, he was assigned to Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina becoming the fort's first commander. With the start of the Civil War, he was promoted Captain and on August 1, 1861, Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton appointed Davis Colonel of the 22nd Indiana Infantry Regiment. He commanded a Brigade at Wilson's Creek, commanded the 3rd Division of the Army of the Southwest at Pea Ridge and the 4th Division of the Army of Mississippi at Corinth. In May 1862, He was promoted to Brigadier General of volunteers in May 1862. On September 29, 1862, Davis confronted his former commander, Major General William Nelson, in the lobby of the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. In retaliation for a personal insult, Davis shot and killed Nelson. Davis was arrested and imprisoned, but with the strong support of the Indiana Governor, he was released and returned to duty. He commanded the 1st Division XIV Corps at Murfreesboro and the 1st Division XX Corps at Chickamauga. He also commanded the 2nd Division XIV Corps during the Atlanta Campaign and for his war service was brevetted Major General on March 13, 1865. After the war he remained in the Army, was assigned as Colonel in command of the 23rd Infantry and served in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. He was still on active duty when he died at age 51 in Chicago, Illinois.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Clark County, Indiana, he was still in school at age 18, whne he enlisted in the 3rd Indiana Infantry Regiment. He served in the War with Mexico and for gallant conduct at Buena Vista, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st US Artillery. In February 1852, he was promoted 1st Lieutenant and in August 1858, he was assigned to Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina becoming the fort's first commander. With the start of the Civil War, he was promoted Captain and on August 1, 1861, Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton appointed Davis Colonel of the 22nd Indiana Infantry Regiment. He commanded a Brigade at Wilson's Creek, commanded the 3rd Division of the Army of the Southwest at Pea Ridge and the 4th Division of the Army of Mississippi at Corinth. In May 1862, He was promoted to Brigadier General of volunteers in May 1862. On September 29, 1862, Davis confronted his former commander, Major General William Nelson, in the lobby of the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. In retaliation for a personal insult, Davis shot and killed Nelson. Davis was arrested and imprisoned, but with the strong support of the Indiana Governor, he was released and returned to duty. He commanded the 1st Division XIV Corps at Murfreesboro and the 1st Division XX Corps at Chickamauga. He also commanded the 2nd Division XIV Corps during the Atlanta Campaign and for his war service was brevetted Major General on March 13, 1865. After the war he remained in the Army, was assigned as Colonel in command of the 23rd Infantry and served in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. He was still on active duty when he died at age 51 in Chicago, Illinois.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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