Joseph R. Davis

Joseph Robert Davis
Place of burial	Biloxi Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi
Allegiance	United States of America Confederate States of America
Service / branch	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861–65
Rank	Brigadier General (CSA)
Commands	2nd, 11th, 42nd Mississippi, 55th North Carolina regiments
Battles / wars	American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Battle of Cold Harbor Siege of Petersburg
Relations	Nephew of Jefferson Davis

Joseph Robert Davis (January 12, 1825 – September 15, 1896) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War and nephew of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. His troops played an important role in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Early life

Davis was born in Mississippi, becoming a lawyer and Mississippi state senator. Before the war, he led a local militia company.

Civil War

Davis entered Confederate service in the spring of 1861 as a captain in the 10th Mississippi Infantry. After serving in the Pensacola, Florida, area, he joined President Davis's staff, serving as a colonel and aide-de-camp to his uncle. He was nominated by President Davis to become a brigadier general in 1862. His confirmation was delayed however, due to criticism of nepotism from opponents to the President. He was finally granted the rank on September 15, 1862.

Davis commanded a brigade of infantry around the Confederate capitol of Richmond and in southeastern Virginia. In the late spring of 1863, he was assigned to Heth's Division, Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, to reinforce Robert E. Lee during the Gettysburg Campaign. Commanding the 2nd, 11th, 42nd Mississippi, and the 55th North Carolina, he marched into Pennsylvania.

On July 1, 1863, Heth's Division encountered Union cavalry outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Davis's Brigade was the second Confederate brigade committed to the fight in first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Sending in all of his regiments except the 11th Mississippi, General Davis allowed two of his regiments to become trapped in an unfinished railroad cut that was too deep for the men to use as a trench (around 20 feet deep at the deepest). The two regiments suffered many men wounded and captured. The remnants of Davis's Brigade rested through the July 2 fighting, but were ordered into action again on July 3. Davis led his brigade through the devastating assault known as Pickett's Charge. Davis's Brigade suffered 289 dead, 677 wounded, 67+ missing/captured for 44.7% loss.

After the battle, Davis became ill and General Lee considered breaking up his brigade, but decided against it. Davis returned to duty and served throughout the rest of the war in Lee's army, fighting at Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, and the Siege of Petersburg. He surrendered with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse.

Postbellum career

Joseph R. Davis spent the rest of his life practicing law. He died in Biloxi, Mississippi, and is buried there in Biloxi Cemetery.

See also

• List of American Civil War generals

References

• Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher. Civil War High Commands. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.

Further reading

• Pfanz, Harry W. Gettysburg – The First Day. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8078-2624-3.