Jefferson Davis at Fort Crawford
Lt. Davis came to Fort Crawford in June 1831 from Fort Winnebago where he had been assigned. He accompanied the troops under command of Colonel Willoughby Morgan to Saukenuk because Black Hawk had returned to his home village and wasn't willing to leave. The army sent troops north from St. Louis and south from Prairie du Chien to display a great force. Black Hawk agreed to go west across the river without the use of force.
When Davis returned he was away from Fort Crawford on special assignment to Dubuque to protect the mines and Yellow River camp where soldiers were getting timbers for the construction of the new fort.
In 1832 he was assigned to accompany Black Hawk to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. Black Hawk spoke well of him, and Davis of Black Hawk. He left in 1834 assigned to the newly formed Dragoons under Henry Dodge.
During his time here, he and Zachary Taylor's daughter Sarah "Knoxie" Taylor fell in love and wanted to be married. Colonel Taylor refused permission. In 1835 after Davis resigned from the army, Taylor no longer blocked the marriage and Jeff and Knoxie were married in June. Tragically she died in September.
A recent biography of Jefferson Davis
is interesting reading.
